| Sickness is a fact of life when you are a teacher. Kids | | | | anything you don't have too. |
| get sick and spread germs, which then makes you | | | | If someone else is sick: |
| susceptible to sickness as well. It is never fun to deal | | | | · Be willing to help out when others are sick. If it's a |
| with, but it can be much more bearable if you take the | | | | fellow teacher take them chicken soup. Little things |
| necessary actions. You may end up dealing with two | | | | make the difference and people do remember the little |
| types of sickness - short term like the flu or long term | | | | things. |
| from a chronic illness or accident. Here are some | | | | · If it is a student who is sick give them a break. No |
| things you can do to help you cope whether it is you | | | | one is as patient or tolerant when they are sick as |
| or your students who are sick. | | | | they are normally. If someone is not acting like they |
| If you are sick: | | | | normally would cut them some slack. They may not |
| · Take the time you need to get better. Teachers | | | | be feeling good. Remember how you feel when you |
| often rush back to work as soon as possible. And | | | | are sick and treat them like you would like to be. |
| while you don't want to take unnecessary time off you | | | | · Encourage the person to take the time to get the |
| do need to recuperate. If you don't get the proper rest | | | | rest they need to recover. If they come back to |
| you can end up with a relapse. | | | | school or work before they are healed it will only |
| · If you keep getting sick or can't seem to recover | | | | mean setbacks. And if the person is contagious, even |
| make sure you get check out. It could be something | | | | if they feel well, encourage them to stay home and |
| simple but you won't know unless you visit a doctor. | | | | not to spread the sickness any further. |
| · Let others help. Let others know you are sick and | | | | It doesn't matter if you are the picture of health at |
| that you may need help. Letting your students know | | | | some point in time you will get sick and need time to |
| you are not feeling well can actually make them more | | | | relax and heal. And you will have to deal with sick |
| apt to be sympathetic. Let friends, family and fellow | | | | students or coworkers at some point too. Schools are |
| teachers carry some of the work load. Let your | | | | notorious for illness spreading through them like wild |
| neighbor bring chicken soup. Enjoy being pampered a | | | | fire. Taking care of yourself and helping take care of |
| bit. | | | | others is the right thing to do, so be sure to get your |
| · Don't go back to work or overdue it until you are | | | | annual flu shot and H1N1 vaccination as well. As |
| recovered. Your classroom really won't fall apart if you | | | | teachers we need all the support we can get! |
| are not there. Take your time and don't overdo on | | | | |