A few days ago
Chelsea

Impressions of a teacher who comes to work even when sick?

I teach but when I’m not in the classroom, I’m very soft-spoken, quiet and I guess you could say a little shy until I warm up. But I am working on opening up more to the friends I work with. They all describe me as sweet and kind. I’ve made a little progress in the shy area, however I ran into a little obstacle recently because I’ve been sick, so I’ve gone back to being quiet, except for the fact that I’m coughing a lot. I know I have to be “on” for the kids, so I’m trying to conserve my energy. Most people are more quiet around me as well. Found out today that I have bronchitis. I haven’t taken off of work this week though, especially since it’s my tenure year.

So, a few questions:

1.) Is it bad that I haven’t taken off since I’m sick?

2.) What do you think my coworkers’ impressions are? Do you think I’m annoying them b/c of the coughing?

3.) Do you think they’re offended because I’m back to being my quiet self when earlier I was starting to open up to them?

Top 10 Answers
A few days ago
DJ76

Favorite Answer

1) I was the same way when I was sick; it was a lot easier to get up and go to school than try to write lesson plans for a sub who probably wouldn’t follow them anyway (no offense to the good subs out there, but those are hard to come by!). However, if you have bronchitis, you need to stay home and get over it!

2. Don’t worry about what your colleagues think! I know – easier said than done. The only people you need to worry about are your students and the people evaluating you! Unless you are coughing in their faces, I don’t know why they would be annoyed with your coughing…aren’t you in your classroom more than you are around your colleagues?

3. If they are decent people, they will understand that you don’t feel well and don’t feel like socializing! They’ve probably also figured out that when you are ready to open up more, you will!

Hope you get to feeling better soon!

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A few days ago
REM
Just don’t forget your coworkers are teachers too. They’ve been there, done that. They understand the first few years are crazy. I’m in my third year teaching at my school and this is the year I’m feeling more comfortable in my abilities and starting to talk to the other teachers more. Everyone should understand where you are coming from since they started there as well. If you have a great principal, he/she will have seen what you’ve done while sick and will totally understand if you take some days off. That’s the only person who’s impression of you should matter and, if you are working hard and doing a good job, you’ll be fine.

Take some time off and get better if you need it.

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A few days ago
Anonymous
1) Yes. But you cant help what you have already done. I see why you would want to be there. Most employees would rather you take off and get better rather than going to work, making your illness last longer and spreading it.

2) Depends if you are coughing enough for them to notice or not. I would be frustrated with someone who came to work very sick.

3) I doubt it. As long as you explain why you are being quite. I was very busy getting ready for a new school year right before school started. I am a 2nd year teacher and am teaching a different grade this year than I did last. I was so busy I wasn’t very friendly. I ended up apologizing to one of my very supportive, and favorite coworkers because I had hardly said a word to her. She was very understanding.

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A few days ago
John
No, it is not bad that you took off work. Bronchitis could lead into to worse illnesses. I am the same way with work. I had bronchitis and when to work. I had to leave the last part of the day. Dr. said I was developing emphmonia (sp). More than likely you caught this from one of your students.

Well, if your coughing, and your contagious, I would say that they would think that you like judgement. Lastly, I do not think they are offended.

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A few days ago
ivory_plr
1) if your sick, your sick. but the kids DO need their education

2) who cares about the co-workers. don’t worry about them, if your sick, then you cough ALL DAY if you have to. And if they got a problem with that, then you can cough on their lunches.

Who has the right to tell you when to cough and when not to?

3) YOU are the teacher. Don’t let those snot-nosed kids have control of you. My mother had always said to me, when you keep your head down, people will always say things, but when you stick your head up high, you will go through those school doors like a bull. Don’t ever let anybody belittle you like that. So if you are sick, it is your chiche whether or not to teach those days.

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A few days ago
Kate J
No, it’s not bad.

Your co-workers probably have mixed feelings, some probably think you devoted and others think you should stay home and get well.

They are not offended because they know you are not feeling well.

Let a subsitute fill in for you for a while. I’m sure they would understand if you have bronchitis.

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A few days ago
dicovi
Yes cause you can easily spread tho sickness to the students and will be forced to stay home due to that. It will be easy fpr you to catch up with the work when you get back but the same would be difficult for the students.
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A few days ago
brknhrtgrl
I dont think its bad. Use your sick days for when you have something fun to do.

Dont worry about your coworkers and if youre annoying them, they will annoy you someday.

I have found that keeping to myself, as a teacher, is beneficial, because teachers sometimes act like children and gossip ridiculously. Dont go to work to make friends, go to educate and earn your paycheck. Go to work to help better the children. Making friends at work can backfire, so I wouldnt stress about it. Although making enemies at work can cause problems too….

youre fine.. youre worrying too much.

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A few days ago
Anonymous
Substitute teachers are on the planet for a reason dear! Stay home and get better. Drink oolong tea and greet tea w/honey & lemon.
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A few days ago
Anonymous
I think it means that you are dedicated. Just make sure that whatever you have isn’t contagious. You wouldn’t want to make the kids sick!
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