It is hard when you are an educator not to just try to plow through being ill and heading to the classroom anyway. Every teacher knows how time can be lost when the class is working on an important concept or a particularly challenging unit and they must be absent from the classroom for illness. It is hard to give in and admit defeat when you are ill – but sometimes it is best to just stay home; after all, taking care of a short illness can oftentimes keep it from becoming a major problem. Here are some great (although some are humorous) reasons to stay at home and call a sub instead:

1. When you are sick you need to rest. You just cannot recuperate by trying to ignore the symptoms and trudge through. You have to rest to get well! Unless the policy is very liberal about teachers napping at your school you need to just stay home so you can recover and return to school as quickly as possible.

2. Oh Geez, can you say epidemic? Everyone knows that coming to school sick is a bad idea, and you certainly know that schools are a breeding ground for illness. So don’t contribute to the breeding ground by coming to school sick.

3. How does it look to your students if you are nodding off at your desk? You cannot expect that you’ll be performing at an optimal level when you don’t feel well, and your students need you to be up to par.

4. It is illegal in all states to come to school under the influence, and some cough medicines and other over the counter remedies can really make you feel like you just bested someone in beer pong. Don’t risk the scandal – stay home.

5. Pushing yourself will prolong the illness and it will take you twice as long to feel better, which means more days of just trying to trudge through it.

6. You are not invincible, you may think you are but you are not and if you ignore your body’s need to rest and get well you might wind up even sicker. You certainly cannot be in charge of your health if you are flat on your back and sicker than you were to begin with. Your body could retaliate against you and then you will have to just stay home regardless.

Flu Shots

If you have not taken your flu shot, now may be the time – before you get sick. It takes just a moment or two of your time to get your annual flu shot, and there are minimal side effects among most folks. You should also consider getting your H1N1 (swine flu) immunization if you have not already done so. Teachers are exposed to a myriad of germs because they are around so many students each day – so a bit of preparedness in the way of getting a flu shot or H1N1 immunization never hurts. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Author Bio: Jennifer Dobson invites you to visit MPM School Supplies, one of her favorite websites for teachers and parents. The site offers an incredible selection of products including everything from childrens dolls and pretend food toys to art supplies and classroom decorations. Visit today to save 10% on your entire first order!

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: sick, ill, illness, flu, workaholic, teacher, teaching, teacher tips, advice, health