Don't know how to say it.....

Lubs

Hi
Sorry I have not been online due to a lot of stress at work. My employer wanted me to go part time, then requested that I go to occupational health while I have taken no days off sick.

Well the latest is that I have had to resign from my job in order to keep my reference. My employer was informed by the examination board that malpractice has taken place with an A level coursework. The employer clearly said that two teachers were implicated, but as one has left, they cannot deal with them so they requested that I work from home. They have never given me any details on what the malpractice accusation is, although I have requested it.

I have been at this school for 12 years and never had a problem. Then after two weeks of investigation, I was called in for a meeting. This meeting lasted a few hours, I was not offered any drinks nor was I given time to think! Remember a lot of my medication makes my thinking process slow and the employer is fully aware of this. After the meeting I was formally suspended for giving the students too much help with their CW.

I have read what exam boards do if they think that they need to take action, they place the teacher under two years of supervision with CW. Not my school they informed my that I could be dismissed! That is what prompted me to apply for another job and hand in my resignation.

While applying for another job I just told them the truth that I was following the orders of the head of department, who wasn't taken to task. They couldn't believe how I was being treated and offered me a maternity cover job. I will be taking a pay cut, but I suppose I will learn to cope. This new school doesn't put you in the same situation because they use invigilators.

I have found the whole process has caused me more stress, which has lead to arthritis in the jaw and shoulder. Two joints where I've never had any signs of it before. The psychiatrist thinks its great that I'm leaving this employer as they have done nothing but caused me stress! But I do feel that I have just let them get away with it!

stickywicket

You seem to have had a very tough time. I hope the new job proves interesting and less stressful and leads to a permanent position.

I have arthritis in my jaw and shoulder among other place. It's not a lot of fun, is it? I hope it eases up now that your future seems a bit happier.

Lubs

Tough time is one way of putting it. The pain the the jaw comes and goes, some times people just give me funny looks when I have to attempt three times to eat something. So I tend to eat at home mostly. Or break up cakes, biscuits, tarts into really small bite size pieces when having a coffee, but I do not go out for dinner, lunch anymore.

Whereas the shoulder pain has just gotten worse over the year. I have had two steroid injections and am now waiting for a third with ultrasound. The shoulder pain has really limited my movement, I can't dress or undress without help from my husband, I have to use an ointment as well as take morphine to even get through the pain in the day. If someone bumps into me, or I walk into a door (which happens) then I really suffer from a lot of pain and just have to stop and wait for it to subside to a tolerable level. I sometimes think people think that I'm making up the amount of pain I'm in, but my husband knows and really does care.

I went into the old work place to clear out my desk. The employer had not told anyone that I was coming, so they started to be problematic. They wouldn't let me ask IT to download or delete My Documents, which have personal files in. Then I went to my desk and they told me I was taking too long (an hour), just because they wanted to go away for their half term holiday. I found that I was being rushed, and had to walk to the car with my arms full of paper, (wasn't even able to find bags) and dumped it all into the car boot. This is what I was given for 12 years service. Lovely

stickywicket

What type of arthritis do you have, Lubs? If OA, have you ever tried a Pain Clinic? If RA, PsA or another of the auto-immune versions of arthritis I think you really need to see your rheumatologist as the DMARDS or anti-tnfs you are taking are clearly not enough for you right now. Morphine is heavy duty pain relief which leaves you nowhere to go when you get a flare. I really don't know how you manage to work while using it.

There are dressing aids you can buy in any disability shop. I'd be unable to dress myself without mine. It also helps if you limit the type of clothes you wear to ones that are more easily put on and taken off.

Lubs

Hi
I have PsA and am on infliximab every 6 weeks with 10 mg mtx. They are being very careful with mtx as my liver results went off the scale and I had to stop all medications, this happened a few years ago. The rheumatologist also says that I have Ankylosing Spondylitis with changes visible in the lower spine.

I will look into using an aid to help with clothing, as I am sure my husband gets fed up with helping me morning and night. It may also help give me back some of my independence.

As for work, I do not know if I can continue with full time work. However, until I pay off my debt I cannot afford not to work. I will try to work for as long as I can. I may have to look into early retirement due to ill health. Hopefully this Monday I will find out if this new work place is right for me! :?:

stickywicket

i hope Monday goes well for you. Please let us know.

Lubs

Hi
Sorry this has been the first time I've had to reply. The new school is great. But I have to carry this huge laptop to each room, along with my teaching supplies.

The first day I was told by a junior teacher that she wanted her room back because it was only a short term room swap, so now I do not teach twice in the same room. Basically I'm a nomad! I move around like a lunatic with this computer and my walking stick! However, there is another teacher there who has had her knee replaced and she does look out for me. She made sure that I have a parking spot near the block where I teach etc. so not bad!

The kids are great, like all schools I have one really difficult class that I see twice a week, but once they are dealt with I feel much better.

Overall, I had to move due to the previous head teacher but I feel that I have made a move for the better.

I will keep you updated, because some people want me to look into constructive dismissal with the previous employer. Take care

dreamdaisy

When I was working (I was a mobile private tutor for dyslexics until I wasn't that mobile any more ) I rolled my kit around in a wheeled small case, could that be an option for you? DD

mellman01

You could try a fold away sack truck?.

Lubs

Hi
I really can't cope with the workload. I am working everyday until 7.30 maybe 8.30 pm, because the school does not have resources and I am having to make them daily (including my weekends). In addition I am having to differentiate for students who are high ability and then for those who can barely write. There is no help, they are all given the same work to do.

The students do not have textbooks, so at no point can I say to them 'turn to page .... Answer questions ....' This means that every lesson requires me to actively teach, be highly interactive with the class. The students are rude, they tell you what they think. They are never silent, and everyone is only bothered about managing their own class behaviour. No senior staff intervention occurs with these students when you formally complain. For example a student quickly took a picture of me and him with his iPhone. Luckily I managed to get the student to delete the photo by cornering him and insisting on it.

I have to think about giving up working. I may not be able to work like how I used to. I still get in at 7.30 but am exhausted and have already had two days off sick due to pain in my left shoulder. The pain goes into the neck and is giving me a headache. I just can't cope anymore with it all. :xmas_cry:

stickywicket

I'm so sorry you're finding life so tough right now. It does sound to be more than your body can handle. I hope the Christmas break will buy you a bit of thinking time. Take care.

Lubs

Hi
I hope that the break gives me and my husband sometime to talk things through. Hopefully, with a bit of rest and lots of sleep I will feel better.

However, one thing is obvious I cannot continue like this. I am losing my independence each week due to my illness (PsA) and I am relying on my husband more and more. Something has to give and maybe it is work! I dread thinking about going into work on Monday, knowing what the week will bring. But it is just the last week of this term, so I could try to do something easy with the students!

Have a good Christmas.

:santa:

stickywicket

I think that's a good idea - to use the break to talk things over with your husband and decide together where you should go from here. You've done very well to keep working for so long but it is difficult even when everything is in your favour, which it clearly isn't. Maybe you could consider home tutoring? You could then choose how many hours you worked. I hope you, too, have a good Christmas and can start the new year with some positive ideas for the future :noel:

fortuna

Lubs, Just came across your thread and wonder how you are getting on,
Cheers, Fortuna

Lubs

Hi Fortuna,

Both my husband and I have decided to think about early retirement. I have just returned to work, after being off school for a week.

This new school has a very weak discipline policy, if any. I am finding that starting my career again in a new school is very hard. I do not have the energy levels that I did have once before. I find that I am still having to plan my lessons every night till 7.30, I go to bed shattered and wake up feeling exhausted. I get into work at 7.30am, I have no work life balance. I dread hearing those words 'parents evening' as I know I will not get home till 7.30. I can just about drive into school each day.

I know the money will be tight but there is nothing I can do! I have other medical issues the consultant wants investigating and I know taking time off school for these appointments will annoy the head of department.

People ask me how do I feel about the last school I was at? The headteacher treated me badly. Sometimes I just want to sit down and cry, but I don't even have the energy to do that! Some of my former colleagues want me to seek legal advice against that school, again I just don't have the energy. The headteacher knew what he was doing and didn't care!

It is the end of the road for my career!
Take care
Lubs

fortuna

Oh dear, I am so sorry I wish i could find words that would help. But there comes a time when you have to make even harder decisions and it looks as though you have reached it. Early retirement is not what you both wanted but once you have decided you can put what energy you have into that instead of into a job that has become untenable. Try to leave the past behind and concentrate on what you can do - the people you have had to deal with are not worth your thoughts.
I wish you all the luck in the world,
Fortuna

dreamdaisy

It may be the end of this career but it could also lead to the start of another. Is there any way that you could take on private pupils for coaching? I ran my own business from 1995 to 2013. I was a specialist tutor for dyslexics (I set up two years before my problems began) and as the arthritises progressed I could reduce little by little until it all became too much. It is good being one's own boss because that boss tends to be very understanding about the cans and cannots of work. DD

Lubs

Hi DreamDaisy,

I have tried tutoring in the area where I live. Unfortunately, the area where I live (East London) have many tutors. In fact we have many shops converted into Tution centres, whereby university students are teaching A level students, for £10-15. One young man said that I was too expensive at £25 for A Level Biology.

They have no qualifications to teach, in fact from my last school, an A level pupil who (is an E Grade in all A level subjects) only scrapped a grade C in GCSE tutors on the weekend students in Maths and English (it can't be higher than KS2). Both parents and students want a lot more for their money.

I spoke to the HoD today and told her that I'm not coping with the pain. She suggested to go part time first, Bedford I decide to retire. So I will try this and see how it goes, but every day I am coming home shattered and my husband is doing more and more. I will review this in four weeks, as I will start the part time work immediately as my timetable is not affected.

Take care and thank you for your advice, I have two trolleys for books now.
Lubs

Lubs

Hi Dreamdaisy,

I could look into something like that, however in East London everyone is a tutor. Many university students tutor A level students, in fact I had a A level student who barely passed GCSE English and he tutors KS2 students in English and Maths.

The HoD said to try part time Before I retire, so I have decided to try 4 days a week as this will not affect my timetable. I will have a long weekend at home planning. I will see how this goes until Easter and then see if I need to retire.

I am constantly shattered so I need to do this immediately as it affects me in odd ways. For example. Today I left the house, drove the car and then remembered that I have no bag with no house keys! So I quickly went home and collect those while my husband was at home!

The fatigue really gets to me and I do not hear the students clearly in the room when they ask questions. They have to repeat it a few times. The noise in the room is also very hard to control.

Hopefully this will help.
Take care
Lubs