AIBU to want to wear a mask again in my classroom

Much closer proximity to each other, hence mask use.

Sorry but I wouldn't be happy either as my son would really struggle to understand you and I don't think pregnancy is enough of a reason to wear a mask? I don't think any maternity consultants would even recommend one either.

At secondary school you are not in the children's faces like a primary teacher. Open your windows wide, maintain a good distance and clean your hands and surfaces if you are that nervous.

What’s your point?

You need to speak to your doctor and get actual medical advice.

It's bad teaching practice to wear a mask as you won't be heard as clearly (regardless of students with hearing impairments). I doubt the ones complaining are the only ones unhappy about it.

Your health anxiety appears to be the main concern so you need to get that under control.

You are aware how densely populated Japan is?

Unless the child is deaf and needs to lip read, I really can't understand the agro. They are at high school, so went through covid- were masks were everywhere, it's hardly reception class, were it's new.

Updates aka drip feed aka important info which would possibly have influenced responses.

You absolutely have the right to privacy. The parent is a dick and I hope their child never decides to travel to Japan. They will not be able to cope as wearing a mask is a fairly normal occurrence there and was in place well before covid.

It's an opinion attempting to belittle or shutdown another view, or to encourage other posters to think a certain way.

I think if it makes you more comfortable to wear a mask it perfectly reasonable to do so. However, I would be careful not to use it as a substitute for good hand hygiene etc (not trying to sound patronising - I say this as a woman who caught a virus that harmed my then unborn child).

I would also say, though, that if you're teaching 500 kids it's more than likely at least 10+ of those have hearing loss to some degree (diagnosed/undiagnosed/declared/undeclared etc) so I think it would be prudent to use a clear mask to aid lip reading.
You may potentially find that the child is getting anxious at you wearing a mask because they're not fully understanding you but don't realise that just yet. Also, masks with clear panels in are less intimidating in general, so maybe it's a compromise?

Maybe she will drip feed that it's not her first pregnancy.

My thoughts exactly. It does seem there's some health anxiety going on here.

Which country are you in? It's August so there are no lessons in the UK.

Labelling comments anti mask isn't shutting it down! It's an opinion. Has everyone suddenly stopped commenting and the thread been shut down? It's an opinion ffs, just like yours. It's just as valid.

Did your doctor actively advise you (without you asking) that you should wear a mask?

At the rate you're drip feeding i I'm suspecting that you'll say yes, whether they did or not, as you're determined not to accept any other opinion.

She has drip fed the immunosuppressed part - it came AFTER anxiety related comments.
Masks impact teaching, there's no arguing around that.

Yes they do.

This.

She has said that she is immune suppressed. I don't think that anxiety over that needs to be reflected on.

For the sake of her metal wellbeing wearing a mask for a few months will not have as much impact on her students learning than her not being there.

Yes teaching in a mask does have an impact on learning, but the teacher being there and feeling safe would have a greater impact.

We are in a recruitment crisis in school. If wearing a mask makes a teacher feel better and to be in school, then let them wear a mask!

Most schools do not have enough staff for September. Mine included. If a member of my staff wanted to wear a mask while pregnant and high risk I would fully support them. I would also support any of my children's teachers in their decision to wear a mask if it keeps them present.

This is drip feed info though, many replies were pre-drip.

I know how scary it is to be pregnant and fear covid, having been pregnant during the height of the pandemic. The anxiety is real.

But you have immunity now since you caught it so recently. Immunity to covid lasts around a year - enough to see you through the rest of your pregnancy. You've basically had the very best vaccine mother nature can offer. So I hope that offers some comfort.

That said I think the parent is a dickhead. This is what? The first time you've done this since wearing face masks stopped in 2021? Surely they can appreciate whatever is going on is temporary?

The kids are in high school, not infants meaning they aren't developmentally suffering from not seeing your facial expressions and you're the only teacher doing it.

I can't imagine being so overly precious about my teenage child that I would complain to a school about ONE teacher temporarily wearing a mask for medical reasons. I really hope your Head is backing you and the kid gets moved. While the kid may seem OK in class - they're going home every night and saying something, aren't they? Otherwise the parent wouldn't be continually complaining.

When I think of the times I begged my Mum when she wanted to complain about a teacher when I was a teen...... - and I was mortified and would beg her not too. Quickly learnt - don't tell my Mum xyz she'll want to complain.

Keep wearing it, if only to prove - your body - your choice!

Would an air filter in your classroom help to ease your mind. They had them at IKEA this week and I considered one for my classrooom. You could place it nearest to where you teach from… ie near your desk/board and this might give you some peace of mind?

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/air-purifiers-49081/

Mask wearing means that the children can't see your mouth when when you speak. It impacts children's learning because it impacts communication. Honestly I think if you are so worried about getting sick for your health you should go to your Dr and get signed off for your pregnancy instead.