[gris212]

4 years ago I left the classroom after teaching for 8 years. I couldn't get a handle on the anxiety and depression I was dealing with. I left the classroom midyear after taking FMLA and started seeing a therapist who I still see to this day.

I've been a nanny during that time through an agency but I was barely making ends meet. I've felt better about my anxiety for the most part and thought I could try teaching again.

I'm returning to the classroom this month teaching Kindergarten. I have a training session tomorrow and start working on my classroom afterwards. Maybe because it's becoming more real now, but I've been dealing with anxiety this whole weekend.

I'm doubting myself. It's a new school, new administration, new everything. I know it's going to be hard and I wonder if I can keep myself grounded.

I take 100 mgs of Zoloft for my anxiety and it's the one medication that has helped the most. Not sure if I should ask my doc to increase the dosage.

I am currently doing yoga and meditating every day to help, I know I shouldn't but I also have a glass of wine or beer to also calm me down as well.

I wonder what can I do when I feel anxious at work?
What do you do when you feel anxious at work?

[Wild Coyote]

Your anxieties/concerns about returning to teaching are understandable.

I am having a lot of extra anxiety. In public, I try to calm myself with various breathing exercises. Another option might be to explore your options for anti-anxiety medication.

I deeply admire teachers and all they give to society. Thank you!

I hope this transition goes smoothly for you.


WC

[wildflowerchild25]

I’ve been teaching for six years and lost my last two jobs. I decided after losing my job this year (for a similar reason - fmla for extreme depression) I would quit the classroom altogether. However I have been unable to find a job doing anything else as all my experience is in education. So I have accepted a job as a substitute teacher In a school for children with intellectual disabilities. I too am very anxious. It’s much lower stress than being an actual teacher as I will not have to plan lessons or do grades or anything like that but I’m wondering if I can handle it. If not I’m pretty screwed.

As for what to do when you get anxious at work, I’m not sure. As a teacher I know you can’t simply take a break when things get to be too much. I used to go to my car during my prep period and do short meditations and breathing exercises using insight timer on my phone. Maybe that’s an option, assuming you get prep time.

I just wanted to offer support and commiserate on the difficulties of being a teacher. I hope you find it not as stressful as in the past. I don’t know if you can get a prn like klonopin or Ativan for anxiety. I had Ativan but unfortunately even just .5mg was too strong for me and I would feel stoned so I couldn’t take it.

[Wild Coyote]

If medication options are too strong or otherwise contraindicated, herbal remedies may be of some assistance. Plenty of my friends carry preparations in their purses. Just one example is "Rescue Remedy" by Bach (sublingual drops). There are lots of other options along this line.

Just a thought.


WC

[Daonnachd]

Not only are your anxieties understandable, they're normal. Every year in the weeks preceding the start of school I'd experience anxiety and when commenting to colleagues during pre-sessions, they were going through the same thing. This happened all of the 12 years I taught. (I think it was 12. ECT makes it difficult to recall with certainty.) Anyhow, although I did not teach kinder, my heart is still in the classroom and would be happy to support you via PM as the year goes on.


You can do this. Just be especially conscientious and deliberate and everything will fall into place.

[gris212]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I’ve been teaching for six years and lost my last two jobs. I decided after losing my job this year (for a similar reason - fmla for extreme depression) I would quit the classroom altogether. However I have been unable to find a job doing anything else as all my experience is in education. So I have accepted a job as a substitute teacher In a school for children with intellectual disabilities. I too am very anxious. It’s much lower stress than being an actual teacher as I will not have to plan lessons or do grades or anything like that but I’m wondering if I can handle it. If not I’m pretty screwed.

As for what to do when you get anxious at work, I’m not sure. As a teacher I know you can’t simply take a break when things get to be too much. I used to go to my car during my prep period and do short meditations and breathing exercises using insight timer on my phone. Maybe that’s an option, assuming you get prep time.

I just wanted to offer support and commiserate on the difficulties of being a teacher. I hope you find it not as stressful as in the past. I don’t know if you can get a prn like klonopin or Ativan for anxiety. I had Ativan but unfortunately even just .5mg was too strong for me and I would feel stoned so I couldn’t take it.

Thank you for this! It helps to know that others understand because they've been there before too. Teaching is such a rewarding profession but one of the most stressful!

I was let go at my first school. I misses too many days and would call in sick too late. Luckily they said they wouldn't note it in my file so I didn't mention it at my other 2 schools.

When I left teaching I looked elsewhere for work. I agree it's hard to find other jobs because all your experience is in education. I tried 2 nonprofits but I only lasted at one 2 days and at the other I quit after 3 months because I was too anxious.

I'm glad you found something that's less stressful and works for you!

My 2 degrees are in education so I'm going to give this another shot because I owe it to myself. I will take it day by day. I will also see my therapist more often as she has helped a lot.

Take good care of yourself!

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

I’ve been teaching for six years and lost my last two jobs. I decided after losing my job this year (for a similar reason - fmla for extreme depression) I would quit the classroom altogether. However I have been unable to find a job doing anything else as all my experience is in education. So I have accepted a job as a substitute teacher In a school for children with intellectual disabilities. I too am very anxious. It’s much lower stress than being an actual teacher as I will not have to plan lessons or do grades or anything like that but I’m wondering if I can handle it. If not I’m pretty screwed.

This is similar to me too. I tried to teach, and I just couldn't do it. I lasted 3 days as a 7th grade life science teacher, and the stress & anxiety nearly threw me in the psych hospital. I put in to be a substitute in my husband's school district (the largest around without going into Houston ISD; driving in Houston stresses me out so much). They are slow in checking with the TEA to get fingerprint info (not sure, I could be in the database and not need to be re-printed) and training videos. I am hoping they will complete things this next week. Failing that, I will be able to interview to be a cafeteria worker which doesn't pay as well as subbing the first few years, but that might pay more in the long run due to being a daily job. I just don't know how often the sub jobs come up. My husband says often at his school (it is the poorest of the poor high schools, pretty much all Hispanic) and in an unsavory area of town (actually in the city of South Houston, but the school is part of the Pasadena ISD system).

My daughter's school district (La Porte ISD) is actually starting this upcoming week on Wednesday, but my husband doesn't get his kids until the following Monday.