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December 2015 Moms
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Venting about work

mauraryan87mauraryan87 member
in December 2015 Moms
I'm a teacher and we have been back in school for a week and a half. I need to vent about 2 situations at work that are driving me crazy. First off the window unit in my classroom is broken. The heat is unbearable in the afternoons which makes it hard to teach and hard for the kids to focus. When I mentioned it to the director of operations she said she would get me a fan and it would be there in 5 minutes. It took them nearly 2 hours to bring the fan (just in time for last period). When they apologized for taking a while they said the fan they had first thought to bring me they had promised to someone else. I just kept thinking well is that someone else 6 months pregnant? (Nope). Of all the AC units to be broken it has to be the one pregnant women's and I don't think they have plans to fix it :( hopefully the e weather cools down soon.

Second I have a wedding to attend in Pittsburgh the weekend of Columbus Day. My husband is the best man in the wedding and I need to take off Friday so we can travel the 5 hrs to Pittsburgh. At the time I will be in my 3rd trimester and won't be able to fly there and it would be irresponsible to drive myself so I have to take the day off to travel with DH. School is giving me a hard time about taking off because it's the day before a holiday. They say if I take off I will be written up, which will effect my evaluation. Now I have to go out of my way and ask my doctor for a note that says I cannot be in school that day.
This is stress I don't need. Thanks for letting me vent.
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Re: Venting about work

  • mhwoodmhwood member
    Not to be rude or anything, but the kids in the other classroom were probably just as hot as the kids in your classroom. I understand that you are 6 months pregnant, but the school's first priority is the health and safety of the students. And while I might get crapped on for this, just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you get special treatment.

    As far as the holiday goes, do you know for sure that you won't be able to fly? It's safe to fly up until 36 weeks pregnant. Plus, it sounds like a relatively short flight and as long as you are able to get up and walk the aisle a couple of times, you should be fine.
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  • satindawl83satindawl83 member
    I second the flying. You should be able to fly still unless you're having complications.

    I'm due the first week of December, and I'm taking a 4 hour flight next week. Doc said I can travel until November.
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  • leek71983leek71983 member
    I also plan on flying in the middle of October from NC to CO. It's 5-6 hours. Dr said it was fine.
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  • dec15mumdec15mum member
    It sucks you're going through all this! Although the priority in schools is kids they need to look after their staff! Especially if you're pregnant, if you're too hot you could get dehydrated, have more hot flushes etc. You are carrying a child and they should accommodate that!
    I'm not too sure about flying, look it up maybe you can fly! But it sucks your work is having a go at you for it
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  • BostonBaby1BostonBaby1 member
    It stinks that your window air-conditioner broke. I'm sorry that you're uncomfortable in your classroom.

    I personally don't agree with getting your doctor to write a note so that you can miss a day of school for a wedding. If you cannot fly, simply pack your bags and leave directly after school. Is that ideal? Of course not. But it's the responsible thing to do. At least with regards to your future career. Some of us work for ourselves and we don't have the luxury to be able to take off when we want to.
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  • taysuntaysun member
    I would definitely check to make sure you really can't fly. I think usually nice they say no flying you really shouldn't be traveling anyway in case you go into labor.
    As for the A/C, I'm sorry you're uncomfortable but I've never even heard of a school having air conditioning in regular classrooms. And I graduated high school in 2012. I say, be thankful you ever had one and start packing a cooler full of ice packs and frozen water bottles to drink. Maybe try to keep movement to a minimum and bring in your own fans for extra air.
    Hope it cools down soon!
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  • mhwoodmhwood member
    edited September 2015
    Actually, they DON'T have to accommodate for her being pregnant. Pregnancy is not a accessibility issue, unless a note has been issued by a doctor saying that there are special circumstances that need to be considered. It's not like she didn't get a fan, it just took longer than she expected it would.


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  • ACarter0914ACarter0914 member
    I'd buy my own air conditioner. I couldn't stand to be uncomfortable and if they tell you to take it out ask them to fix yours. There are really awesome ones on Craigslist or Facebook garage sales for cheap, used but should keep the classroom cool enough to teach and then you can just resell it after.

    I get where your coming from with wanting to drive with your hubby. I would have asked for the day off too, maybe both of you can leave a little later and skip some of the festivities? Could your school compromise on a half day?
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  • tewinkle27tewinkle27 member
    Just make sure you stay hydrated, being dehydrated can make you get contractions.
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  • celainevcelainev member
    You're going to have your doctor say you need to miss work for a wedding? Can they even do that? My doctor would laugh in my face...

    As for the fan incident, if they promised it to another classroom then obviously it goes to them.... I work in a building full of seniors and I understand that the seniors come first... Not me because I am pregnant.

    You could argue that children become dehydrated quicker then pregnant people because they are smaller, more active, and don't drink as much water. You know better and I am sure were guzzling down water to counteract dehydration.

    To be honest your work situation does not seem that bad. You've only been back for a week and a half, so it might be that you have become used to not working. Then understandably you're body will become fatigued quicker.
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  • erikaalzeterikaalzet member
    edited September 2015
    While I understand wanting to get the doctors note, I strongly suggest saving your time off for real physical need or a mental health day. You surely will need it. Plus, we all know what the day back from an extended weekend feels like. This is definitely a team before me moment.

    Also, re: the non-teachers commenting, be mindful that teaching is FAR more physical than it appears, even in the upper grades, especially if you are trying to actively circulate, monitor student work and conference, and be all around the room for any number of good reasons. I bring it up as some of the suggestions are not that feasible for this line of work.

    OP- Vent away. No judgement. I'm sure you do the best by your kids, you just needed to get a bit pissy here so you don't do it elsewhere. If you want suggestions I HAVE A TON as someone in a similar work situation as you (middle grades charter school, etc) and would love to share what I've been doing to keep sane, hydrated, and happy (79% of the time because, bruh, we teach). If you are interested I can message you.
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  • awrtz92awrtz92 member
    I don't have a/c at work either! I work outside in Florida! I could only dream of working indoors or sitting on the job. I know I must continue to work though.
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  • ealiskaealiska member
    OP you have my sympathies.
    Teaching is a strenuous job and I know you can't sit. I wish your administration looked out for you more. My AC was broken yesterday, when it was 95 outside. Turned out it was 105 in my classroom. Lots of moving little bodies can raise the temps in there for sure. Either way he walkie talkied the custodians immediately and said he didn't want a pregnant lady without air.

    We all want what's best for kids-typically what's best for kids is their actual teacher in the room and performing their absolute best. My boss knows I plan on working with my kids until my OB forces me out and to keep me healthy enough to do that he's planning on looking out for me.
    I totally get that some peoples jobs don't have AC-you have my sympathies as well. But if the resources are there, use them.
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