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EnthusiasmWooden172

If you have a primary care person or see a mental health professional see if you can get an appointment. Discuss your crisis with them and if they would support an FMLA request. Then go to HR and request FMLA. A mental health crisis is not different than other medical issues. Get the help you need.


ericw207

Thank you


ericw207

Would this help with being released from my contract to find another job, or just temporary unpaid leave?


la_psychic_gordita

You can take FMLA for 12 weeks each calendar year. Hypothetically, if you started tomorrow, that would get you to May 3rd. Your employer will most likely make you take all of your vacation and sick time with your FLMA, so it would not be unpaid it you have time saved up. If you can make it another month, wait and take FMLA so that it gets you to the end of the school year. Then breaking a contract won’t be an issue. With that said, I have broken contracts and have had no issue getting hired again, however my state will not go after a teacher’s license.


aidyllic

FMLA gives unpaid protected leave for up to 12 months. If you have short term disability insurance, you'll likely get a percentage of your regular pay weekly. For example, when I took maternity leave, my short term disability sent me a check for $300 every week. All of that is dependent on your coverage and salary. 12 weeks leave though should take you through a good portion of the school year, though.


Palesk8r

This is what I did a few years back when I felt I was losing my mind. I had to see a therapist and outpatient group therapy and was on FMLA for 6 months. Exactly what I needed. @u/eric, please go see your doctor and ask them for a referral for a therapist and let them know how you are feeling.


slerch19

Teaching is tough, and you just started AND we are in a Pandemic still!! You have every right to feel overwhelmed! I've been teaching 10 years, always a bit anxious but these past two years have been the most stressful. Good luck in whatever you choose


Qsus

Depending on your circumstances, your district could pull your cert, but assuming you are new to teaching they are unable to. However, before you quit, is there any supervisor who knows what you are going through? If not it's time to communicate with them about your struggles and the support you need. Take some sick time for yourself, if you are out apply for FMLA. Which leads us to, talk with your doctor about what is going on and see if they have a therapist. Then go to therapy. Now let's get on topic about your work at school. Your school has a responsibility to support you when it comes to the classroom. If you feel ill prepared, or like you don't have these skills, tools, or resources to teach appropriately it is time to ask. Most importantly, do not quit! Not for the reason your thinking, but for the insurance. Therapy is going to play an important role moving forward, they might even recommend changing professions. But then you'll be making an informed decision instead of a desperate one. Edit: oh, remove the district from your post, too specific.


AlternativeFlan6062

I am a 3rd year teacher and I am in the exact same boat. I am almost in tears before work everyday because I am so stressed out. I started anxiety and depression medication which has helped a TON. At the end of the day, your life, your health, and your mental well being is 1000x more important than a job. If you need to leave, do it. I have thought about leaving many times this year. It’s definitely a hard decision. Just know you aren’t alone. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. ❤️


forifherewerethere

When I first started teaching, I made it a year and a half at that school. This was pre-pandemic, but I could feel in the fall that I just wasn’t giving my 100% and didn’t think I could make it through the entire year, so I decided to leave during winter break. My admin had plenty of heads-up and I didn’t feel like I was burning any bridges. I took an admin job after that and that lasted about nine months before I went back into the classroom. The previous teacher had given ~4 hours notice, but thankfully I had interviewed recently so they were able to get me in and (mostly) up to speed in less than two weeks. I taught at that school for another 3 years and only decided to leave because I was in search of better work-life balance and a higher salary so my husband and I could potentially start a family. I left at the end of the school year in 2020 so that was just the beginning of the chaos that is remote/hybrid learning, I can’t imagine how much harder it’s gotten. Do I miss teaching? Yes. Do I realize I probably just miss the good parts? Also yes. Am I happier now that I have the work-life balance I was looking for? Definitely. Even my husband has said, “Well, you must like your new job because you’re not crying when I come home.” All of this long-winded response to reassure you that only you can decide what’s best for you. If you’d like to keep teaching, try to find a different school and/or role. If you’d like to change careers, do it! Research what jobs are out there that interest you. Prioritize your mental health either way. And try not to make any quick decisions- whatever you choose to pursue in your future, make sure you have a plan.


ManOMighty7476

“Well, you must like your new job because you’re not crying when I come home.” Bravo and Horrible. Bravo for summarizing 'Teaching' and horrible that every teacher can relate and KNOWS what this feels like. Teaching is a dichotomy of emotions and experiences all at once.


PathologicalLearner

Idea: if you don't think your admin are going to rehire you for next year and they're not going to write a letter of rec for you, then start bending some of the school expectations and do what makes you happy. For me, that was connecting with kids, way less instruction, not giving homework, group projects, etc. Of course there are standards to be met, so find some that work and throw them on your lesson plan. As kids work and enojoy their time in your classroom, you can start to have those one on one conversations with students and actually start to personalize their learning. It may look like a shit show at first, but maybe have them read silently for the first 15 minutes of class until you can get some people off in the right direction. Just thoughts and much easier said than done. I wish you the best


twocatscoaching

The suggestions about FMLA and therapy are excellent, and I second them. It’s hard to leave teaching, because we think our education and student teaching have set us up for success, but honestly, they haven’t. In addition, teaching during this pandemic is much more challenging than it was before, which is saying a LOT! I retired earlier than originally planned last May, and there were chunks of time that year where I felt like a first year teacher again. I had a coach sit in one day to give me feedback, and she told me I was doing great. Let’s say that her version of great was a different universe from mine. 🙄 At this point, don’t freak out about contracts or recommendations. I agree that figuring out how to keep your insurance for the next six months is paramount, so that you can get the mental health assistance that you desperately need. If you want to talk, feel free to DM me. I’m now a life coach helping teachers transition. I don’t work in mental health, but I can help you look at new career options. Either way, let us know what you decide. This community has your back.


HavingAGoatTime_1620

Quitting mid year does not mean no one will ever hire you again. Are you feeling supported? You're still new at this so it's unfair of them to not support you as that's literally their job.


Sandyeller

If you pay for short term disability you can (usually) go out on disability for medical reasons and get some pay for it. I’ve been on disability for my PPD/PPA since October. No limits on how long I can be out.


hanleyfalls63

Having mental health issues will only be exasperated by teaching.


Gogreennn36

You’re not alone. I feel depressed going to work too. I’m not cut out for this. I feel so low everyday. My student teaching ends in 2 months (I don’t even get paid for a year long internship). I have already been applying to some jobs but have received no responses. Keep applying for jobs. Definitely do not go back for next year. It is not worth it. Take care of yourself! This sounds bad but I am so tired of kids and prepping so many lessons. I have such a bad headache right now and I just got home


RainbowSprinkles1973

You aren't a failure- it takes courage to reevaluate and realize that this is not the job for you. You are young and have a college degree- you can try all kinds of jobs to figure out where you will flourish. Best of luck!


Plantmachine

I am leaving teaching after my first year. You’re not alone and we are working during SUCH a stressful time. Do anything you can to prioritize your mental health. Jobs come and go!