Am Not Coping

[Sans911]

@Zoe7 catch you next time hun. Please don't apologise for leaving. Go take care of you.

[Appleblossom]

Good Idea @Zoe7

It was interesing how many different responses we all had to RED.

I hear your sadness about getting back to your teaching. 

You have so much to give but pressures on teachers increases.

It is best to go back when you are sure you are well enough. 

I spoke with a couple today shepherding children at the zoo. 

I was also vulnerable so for me it is best that I am in a vollie position.

[Appleblossom]

Good Night @Zoe7

I am almost ready to log off.

[Faith-and-Hope]

@Zoe7 @Appleblossom @Sans911 @oceangirl @Ant7 @Former-Member 

[Zoe7]

@Faith-and-Hope Morning Hon 

Had to use thin paper instead of tissue paper to make a poppy so it hasn't turned out as well but here is what it looks like....

[Former-Member]

hugs @Zoe7 - its hard to get back to work, especially as teaching is so very demanding of ourselves physically and mentally, though for me sometimes its the only thing that keeps me from flying a part all together as well.
i dont know if this would be useful/beneficial for you but would you do a volunteer role in a school once a week (i was even thinking not your usual school)? an art lady from our community has started coming in during lunchtimes once a week i think and is working on some art projects with 3/4 girls who find it difficult to make friends/connect. they have a quiet spot and when im on duty can see how much the girls are getting from it. Not sure if this would be something that you would feel up to or not, but just an idea... something that might give that connection to you as well and help you to guage how you feel being back with kids etc.. but know that it might not be too.

[Former-Member]

Hi @Zoe7 as a teacher myself that cannot work either at the moment, I completely understand what you mean. My year 12’s graduated the other day and I missed their graduation, their last day and their formal. What made it so much harder was I had organised the formal earlier this year before I went on work cover. I tired to make it there, but just couldn’t. It is extremely hard when it is such a huge part of our lives. 

So just wanted you to know that I hear you and understand how you feel hun 💗💗💗

[Zoe7]

Hey @Former-Member 

That is exactly what we have in mind for when I am able to physically do anything. 

I am still very unwell physically. It takes all my energy to even drive to my appointments  

I have been having more moments where I can connect/engage on here - and that is a good thing - but outside of here and with my GP and pdoc I still feel really overwhelmed around people. 

The plan was to get back to a place where I can volunteer at school once or twice a week and then build up from there. That has been made a little more difficult though with the Principal at work that was such a great support for me moving to another school. I haven't met the new Principal yet - haven't been capable of getting there. I am hoping I will be able to get there in the next week or two though.

[Zoe7]

Oh @Former-Member that is really tough Hon  My psychologist actually drove me to our Grade 6 leaver's dinner last year as she didn't want me to miss it. My Principal brought me home afterwards. It was extremely hard being there - I spent alot of time outside on my own - but I did not want to let the kids down. I had taught nearly all of them at some stage and so was a group that I had a real strong bond with.

The thing that most upset me last year was not being able to organise our entry into the Christmas Parade. I had done it for the previous 6 years and the kids get so excited about it. We work on our theme (costumes, props, etc.) throughout the year. The kids had already done all the planning and designs so it was heartbreaking not to be able to take them.

This week is going to be hard also as the Parade is next Saturday and for the second year the kids have missed out. Some of the kids I take haven't even been into the city before so it is extra exciting for them.

[Former-Member]

@Zoe7 That is super sad about the Parade. I don’t think I could go back to my work yet, can’t even drive past the place. Hopefully your new principal is just as understanding as the last one you had. 💗