Anxiety about going to work

Alli · Post by **Alli** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:25 am

I am a first year kindergarten teacher. I have wanted to teach since I was in kindergarten myself. It is such a dream come true to actually get paid for being with these gifts from God everyday. However, my anxiety started up again about a month ago. I hadn't had any in about 3 years. I don't know what set it off other than I have been kind of stressed with my internship. Now, I am anxious about going to work every morning. I wake up wondering what is going to happen that day. So far I have only had one panic attack at school that I made it through. It didn't last long. But, I just have a lot of anxiety. I think in the back of my mind I feel like I don't deserve to be with these children because of my anxiety. I feel like if the parents knew they wouldn't want me to be their child's teacher. The thing is, I'm a great teacher. I have had several observations this year and I have had nothing but wonderful reports. But, for some reason these thoughts will not go away. Any advice?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:38 am

ALLI,

I THINK YOU ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION ABOUT WHAT TRIGGERED YOUR STRESS AND ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACK..WAS THE INTERNSHIP. JUST LET IT RUN ITS COURSE. GO WITH THE FLOW. IT WILL BE OK. AS LONG AS YOU ACCEPT THAT YES I AM GOING THRU A STRESSFUL TIME RIGHT NOW...IT IS ONLY TEMPORATRY. THIS STRESS IS NORMAL DURING INTERNSHIP WHERE YOU ARE BEING EVALUATED. JUST KEEP BELEIVING THAT YOU ARE A GOOD TEACHER AND YOU WILL BE JUST THAT. AFTER ALL WE ARE WHAT WE THINK AND YOU OBVIOUSLY ARE INTELLIGENT AND THAT MEANS COPING WITH CHANGE. TRY TO DO THE RELAXATION CD MORE ESPECIALLY BEFORE YOU GO INTO WORK. SET YOUR DAY UP WITH POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS AND RELAXATION. GOOD LUCK. B

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:00 am

Alli,
don't spoil your future of having a good job doing something you love.You said it your self you are a good teacher there are't always good teachers at school I remember my daugher had a few that I thought weren't so good.
Anxiety does't keep you from being a good person teacher or anything.Don't run from you anxiety take it from someone that has been running for 28 years you can't out run the fear because it is with you.You said you made it through the attack at school tell your self you can make it through another one when you say what if that causes the fear to happen it is a learning process and it takes time to learn and unlearn bad habits.
I walked out of a job because of panic attacks I later found myself almost house bound ,one thing don't run,now I am working the program and trying to start getting my life back.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:01 am

i think a good idea might be to go over your evaluations and really concentrate on the fact that licensed evaluators who have been trained for, i assume, some years now on how to sort out the good teachers from the bad teachers, are giving you excellent reports. those evaluators are doing their jobs the best they can because i am sure they are dedicated to the betterment of education because of the field they're in. they dont want bad teachers in the system and i'm sure they give bad reports to bad teachers, especially in kindergarten because of the essential early learning skills that need to be taught. they want schools to find a better teacher if they are not apt at their job. maybe one that gets good reports on their evaluations. hey...wait a minute... that kinda sounds like you, now that i think of it! last i heard, good feedback means your doing something good. so concentrate on that and keep doing what your doing because you're great at it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:33 am

Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement. I almost started crying. It is so wonderful to be able to talk to people who are going through some of the same things as me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:54 pm

Alli,
I am also a teacher of 15 years and for some reason the end of the years brings on anxiety for me. The demands of standardized testing, the end-of-year clerical stuff, the ordering, and then preparing to say good-bye to children that you have spent probably more time with than some of their parents. It's very hard on a person. Combine that with the internship and the demands that brings and you have every right to feel anxiety. Be gently on yourself, allow the anxiety to pass, and keep doing what you love. You said yourself how much you loved teaching, imagine what your life would be like without it? Keep going girl, you will get through this and you will have June and July to get ready for next year! God Bless.
Julie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:39 pm

Ali, all i have to tell you is that you and only know how strong and smart you are, sooo dont let dont stupid thoughts get in you head, i dont know you, but i know for sure that you will do just fine!! you love what you do, dont let those thoughts ruin your work and everyday thatyou go to work enjoy it, is not easy but you can do it, i also suffer from anxiaty and @ work most of the time, but i think my case is the other way i dont like my job very much! so thats why i want to think that i get anxious!! the best of luck!! and keep it up!! you can do it, WE CAN DO IT!!!!! THOUGHTS OK =)!! GODBLESS YOU.

~*schnauzermom*~ · Post by **~*schnauzermom*~** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:30 pm

Dont let anxiety ruin what you have worked so hard for. I am in college right now and I know how hard it is to work towards what you want in life. I think once you have your own classroom you will do just fine. and you will be a great teacher

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:24 am

Hi Alli,

I teach Kindergarten also! I know what you mean. The kids are so special and deserve all of us. Try to focus on them and not you. I know it's hard. I'm going thru a tough season myself right now but this too shall pass. Good luck!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:20 pm

I can so relate to your situation. I teach small group instruction to children in grades kindergarten-third. My job is to find out what area these kids are having diffuculty in and to help them to succeed without going through special education classes. It is highly stressful being that I don't have very long to work with the kids and I suffer from panic and anxiety also. I work for a wonderful staff and they would do anything to help me out, I still however, feel as if I am under pressure all the time. When I am alone with the kids I also think to myself, what am I doing trying to help these kids when I feel so insecure myself. I too have had good evaluations and I don't know how. I love the kids and they can seem to add so much enjoyment to an otherwise dreary day. Hang in there. I think sometimes we just don't give ourselves enough credit.
Good Luck & God Bless