Stress!

[StressedTeacher86]

Hi all,
I need advice because I doubt everything I say and do. Gut feeling, I know the answer but I need some feedback....

Im in a very stressful job. No lunches or ppa for any teachers most of the time. They are refusing to cover staff who are ill, which is making our job even harder.

We're all in the same position throughout the school and a huge proportion of staff are leaving this term. We have had numerous meetings over the past year and nothing changes - we are told we're overreacting etc. We all feel the safety of the children and staff is being overlooked. I have been keeping my union updated and they are urging me to rally the staff together and get some evidence etc. I'm leaving in a few weeks and currently off with stress and don't feel mentally strong enough to take control of this.

1. The teacher in me wants to help to make the school a safe environment and to help the adults from continually burning out from being overworked. I have presented ideas from my past school which may help with staffing etc.

1. I've been off with stress this week for this exact reason and I don't want to go back. If I go back, I will be right back where I started and I simply cannot put myself through it anymore. I'm coming home and crying, burnt out, and this is the Mummy my children get to see every day.

3 I spent the whole day crying last week at school. Obviously I know that's not good, but at what point should I go back to work? I'm totally overwhelmed and there is no help and whilst management have their head in the sand nothing will change. I feel.ok-ish being at home, but when I talk about work I start crying again!

1. Teachers, what would you do? Ethically, I don't want to leave my colleagues and students in a more challenging situation by not being in school. I don't have the strength to go through the union to try and make a change in the little time I have left - and even though so many staff are leaving, how many will want to get involved with the union too? I may end up fighting it alone? Although I doubt it. I don't want to be blacklisted as 'that teacher' but I have tried all other routes accept whistleblowing- which I don't want to do to be honest.

I just want to curl up in a ball until September when I start at my new job.

You have to look after yourself here, so stay away.

How are teachers not getting lunch? In maintained schools, they are not paid for the lunch hour. PPA is a legal requirement so tell the union.

If the union is being updates, they have their evidence, so get on their case. Hang on.......is this because it's near the summer break so not "worth it?"

I'm so sorry you are in such a stressful situation 😔 I could almost have written your post (for slightly different reasons) last term.

From what you have written, you don't sound well enough to return so I would take advice from your GP.

If you are well enough at some point to return before summer, keep in mind that you have little time left before the end of the year when you leave (that's what I am doing!).

Do look after yourself though!