Went to admin about my classroom teacher and now I feel super anxious. Did I do something wrong?
I'm a para in a self-contained classroom with lots of behavior students, and we're outnumbered most days.
My husband just started a full-time job and a full-time master's program, so when my kids get sick, I'm the one who now has to stay home. This past week my son had the flu with a 102 fever and needed a doctor's visit, so I stayed home all three days rather than risk bringing it to our class. (Shocker, I'm sick now. Exactly what I anticipated happening…)
I heard from our 1:1 that the teacher was saying I shouldn't be "allowed" that many days off. She then later texted me, among other things, "y'all don't use babysitters?" A sitter would cost more than I make hourly, I’m not getting paid for these days off, and my child had a very contagious illness. This isn't the first weird comment from her, and I've tried talking to her directly and setting boundaries, but nothing has changed. So I went to admin. They advised me to stop replying and let me vent a little.
After the principal talked to her, she immediately blocked me on TikTok and emailed saying that all communication is now via email, adding that she thought our conversations were private.
There is a lot more context that I’m just not sure how to put into words. But this is the bare gist of everything.
My family says going to admin was the right call, but I still feel like I did something wrong. Has anyone been through something like this? How do you handle a coworker who resents you for taking time off for your kids? I feel SO nauseous about returning after Fall break is over.