| ess is a fact of life when you are a teacher. Kids get | | | | you are not there. Take your time and don't overdo on |
| sick and spread germs, which then makes you | | | | anything you don't have too. |
| susceptible to sickness as well. It is never fun to deal | | | | If someone else is sick: |
| with, but it can be much more bearable if you take the | | | | · Be willing to help out when others are sick. If |
| necessary actions. You may end up dealing with two | | | | it's a fellow teacher take them chicken soup. Little |
| types of sickness - short term like the flu or long term | | | | things make the difference and people do remember |
| from a chronic illness or accident. Here are some | | | | the little things. |
| things you can do to help you cope whether it is you | | | | · If it is a student who is sick give them a |
| or your students who are sick. | | | | break. No one is as patient or tolerant when they are |
| If you are sick: | | | | sick as they are normally. If someone is not acting like |
| · Take the time you need to get better. | | | | they normally would cut them some slack. They may |
| Teachers often rush back to work as soon as | | | | not be feeling good. Remember how you feel when |
| possible. And while you don't want to take | | | | you are sick and treat them like you would like to be. |
| unnecessary time off you do need to recuperate. If | | | | · Encourage the person to take the time to get |
| you don't get the proper rest you can end up with a | | | | the rest they need to recover. If they come back to |
| relapse. | | | | school or work before they are healed it will only |
| · If you keep getting sick or can't seem to | | | | mean setbacks. And if the person is contagious, even |
| recover make sure you get check out. It could be | | | | if they feel well, encourage them to stay home and |
| something simple but you won't know unless you visit | | | | not to spread the sickness any further. |
| a doctor. | | | | It doesn't matter if you are the picture of health at |
| · Let others help. Let others know you are sick | | | | some point in time you will get sick and need time to |
| and that you may need help. Letting your students | | | | relax and heal. And you will have to deal with sick |
| know you are not feeling well can actually make them | | | | students or coworkers at some point too. Schools are |
| more apt to be sympathetic. Let friends, family and | | | | notorious for illness spreading through them like wild |
| fellow teachers carry some of the work load. Let your | | | | fire. Taking care of yourself and helping take care of |
| neighbor bring chicken soup. Enjoy being pampered a | | | | others is the right thing to do, so be sure to get your |
| bit. | | | | annual flu shot and H1N1 vaccination as well. As |
| · Don't go back to work or overdue it until you | | | | teachers we need all the support we can get! |
| are recovered. Your classroom really won't fall apart if | | | | |