It’s gone. It left on Thursday. I’m hoping it will return by Monday. I believe the key will be to remain silent. But that will be interesting since today I’m supposed to be at the bargaining table from noon – 8pm. I can whisper my questions to a colleague or write down my thoughts, I suppose. At any rate, it will be easier to stay quiet than yesterday.
Teaching without a voice is rather interesting. For the most part, it can be better than teaching with one. The kids are more attentive because they have to be. Everything is being communicated with hand signals and writing. When a student understands and verbalizes it, I have them repeat that for the class. It’s a more cooperative effort. It makes me wonder if I should try this approach when I’m healthy…
So why did I go to school instead of calling in sick? I actually felt pretty decent. The main issue was my voice. And even without a voice, I can get more done any day than a sub can with one. Like any teacher will tell you, it’s more work to be gone than to be there. I honestly didn’t have the time to make sub plans.
So we’ll see if recovery is in the cards for me this weekend. I really hope so. If not, I can at least figure out when I could take a day next week.
