Anonymous wrote:I worked at a horrible elementary school, where the teachers were both inept and unkind; the principal was a bullying incompetent, ineffective micromanager, and the kids were "tough" kids, very much because of the horrible way they were treated, but also some of them did come to our school with many emotional and behavior issues. The whole day was chaotic from beginning to end, and I started developing very bad stomach and digestive issues, Mon-Friday. I had constant loose stools, pains, etc. I went to my doctor and she wanted to prescribe different tests for Crohn's disease, celiac and IBS; but I thought it was just too coincidental that the symptoms only started when I began working at this horrible school, and also that they subsided considerably over the weekend. So I transferred to a better school and my symptoms all were cured.
I still feel horrible about the kids who were forced to attend that school, but as a new teacher I was not in any position to be able to effect any kind of change.
I also taught in a school like this. The administration was abusive. I had class sizes in the 40s. I was given no resources, but I was expected to perform miracles. Each day was emotionally and physically draining. My hair fell out, I lost weight, and I couldn’t sleep.
I transferred schools and things are much better now. I’m still overworked and the hours are too long, but I have support and access to resources.
I also worry about who I left behind. Most teachers have left, but the poor students remain as does that terrible administration.