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Covid

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Original poster

Teacher - told to teach wearing a mask

88 replies

redroses86 · 01/03/2021 08:08

I’m hoping for any advice or opinions on the above really.
My Head has just announced that we must wear a mask at all times in school, including during teaching.
This was not the case before this lockdown. We wore masks in corridors and busy spaces etc.
I’m worried about wearing a mask for 8+ hours a day. I don’t think I’ll be able to effectively teach a group of 33 kids in sometimes large classrooms whilst wearing one. Visors are banned.
Has anyone experienced this?

OP posts:

SionnachRua · 01/03/2021 19:56

We've been doing this in Ireland since September. Very manageable once you're used to it.

You can buy a cheap mic pack online to help amplify your voice if you're worried. I have one that I use occasionally.

MercyBooth · 01/03/2021 19:57

@Lostinacloud Its like they have never met a child isnt it? If this had happened back in the 80s we would have had great fun using them as catapults

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 01/03/2021 20:02

My kids have been taught by teachers wearing masks since last Sept. No problems.

The teachers are teaching both the students in the classroom and the students logging in from home at the same time. That bit is tough.

BertieBob · 01/03/2021 20:05

I've worn one since we went back in September. It's frustrating at times as clarity is an issue for some children. So I have to be clear when speaking and use visual aids. I teach in a secondary school. I have also moved over to wear contact lenses as I found my glasses fogged up frequently.
But it will be ok, most staff wear them and we quickly got used to it.

mathanxiety · 01/03/2021 20:46

All teachers in the schools around here wear a mask at all times in class and around the school. All students do the same, dito secretaries, school nurse, etc.

lljkk · 01/03/2021 20:51

DC in schools only have 5.5-6 hour days of contact time with adult teaching staff. The 8 hours/day thing is confusing me. Private school, maybe?

Volcanoexplorer · 01/03/2021 20:57

Hate wearing a mask for any length of time because my glasses steam up. I can manage without my glasses in shops etc, but not all day teaching. I don’t get in that well with contact lenses.

Volcanoexplorer · 01/03/2021 20:59

I also can’t hear the kids very well when they wear masks and I think some will string to understand me. Especially because my classroom windows open out to the PE area which is noisy.

Dreamingofbeergardens · 01/03/2021 20:59

You get used to it. We've been wearing them since September.
My hearing isn't brilliant so sometimes I struggle when I can't see people's mouths but I manage.

wiltingflower · 01/03/2021 21:55

@SionnachRua which mic pack do you have and do you recommend it? I've been looking online for this

AllDoneIn · 01/03/2021 22:00

I haven't taught a lesson since September without a mask. After a couple of days you won't even notice it.

Cracklefraggle · 01/03/2021 22:05

OP I've taught in ffp2 since September. It takes a bit of practise to manage your breathing and your mouth will get dry but it is Ok. Projection and annunciation become more important but I have found it to be no barrier to teaching at all. HTH

SionnachRua · 01/03/2021 23:41

[quote wiltingflower]@SionnachRua which mic pack do you have and do you recommend it? I've been looking online for this[/quote]
Ah I wish I could check it for you but we're in remote learning atm and I haven't been near the building in weeks. I'll have a look online though to see if I can remember which it is! I do like it a lot.

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