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Good morning. I am currently a senior associate in BugLaw, and I have applied to several trial attorney jobs in Chicago offices of federal agencies since the start of the pandemic. According to usajobs.gov, my applications to the DOJ and CFTC were “referred,” and my application to the SEC was received and my GS scale verified. But I haven’t received any updates on these applications in over a month. Does anyone here have any insights on these or on federal hiring generally? Thanks!
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Additional Posts in Teacher Self-care
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I just had a tough day any self care tips.
All of this extra work preparing for in-person, hybrid or some type of combination is a great time to be earning clock hours. We can design classes to fit your needs and you will not need to pay until 2022 when you move up the pay scale. Let me know if I can help. Email me at robcollins247@gmail.com
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It’s is called mental health for a reason. Like your physical health, it deteriorates if you don’t take care of it. If you need the time, take the time.
If you are doing work a ton of work at home, you might consider revisiting some of your work habits to see if you can make that happen less. Need some help brainstorming about it? I’m your girl.
This guilt thing. Feeling guilty for taking care of yourself shouldn’t be a thing regardless of what your job is. Part of this is mindset. You have to decide that you matter just as much as whatever you’re feeling bad about because guess what, you do. It doesn’t matter how much someone tells you you matter. You have to believe it.
Finally, this year has been a mess all the way around. I don’t know what your situation is but I’m pretty sure a good deal of the burden you’re carrying isn’t yours to bear. Drop that ish.
Sending nothing but positive vibes and hopes that you take the time you need.
Bowl Leader
Such an important question! Thank you for asking this question.
Did you know mental/emotional/and physical pains all trigger the same areas of the brain? Stress is literally toxic to your system. It weakens the immune system AND SO MUCH MORE!
Stress is CONTAGIOUS! When I am stressed, I will most likely stress others.
Personally, I have and will continue to take sick days as mental health days.
The guilty comes from knowing/feeling/believing our students/colleagues need us to be there. Which is ultimately true. However, they need us to be completely there, healthily there.
Teachers are also notoriously “rule followers”. We have long since subscribed to the rule “If you don’t have a fever, and aren’t throwing up, you aren’t sick. GO TO SCHOOL!” Our parents taught us that. We tell our kids that. We expect it of our students.
And, we are wrong.
The encouragement is to see mental health as the most important aspect of overall health. Then allow your “rules” to recognize stress as an equally harmful ailment as, say the flu.
In short, use sick days to promote and increase your level of health. If it makes you better while you’re there, it served it’s purpose.
*I consulted my administrator and superintendent, who affirmed my stance. In some districts, this might not be the case. Know your school board policies!
I take sick days whenever I feel the need. I usually take 8 a year. I get dinged every year on my evaluation for absences. My reply is, “Mark me needs improvement every year. I need my days to relax and refresh.” Maybe I catch up on work, go to a movie with my kids, or sleep. I do what I need. Have you noticed the teachers who take off full weeks to go on vacations? (single income here lol I can’t afford that, but I would if I could)
You CANNOT be the best you can be if you are burnt. What’s worse? Fail at your job? Or take a day off?
We all take mental health days. And those who do not, they are either Hulk or seriously at risk of ruining their health.
Just do it, nobody needs to know why you aren’t there. Take that sick day, sleep in, don’t check your email, turn your phone off (if you can) and know that it will all be okay. I always struggle with the guilt but disconnecting and planning for mental health days makes it easier. Fill your cup so you can fill your students’ cups too. We all remember the cranky stressed teacher that was an absolute nightmare to deal with so do what you need to show up to work your best self. Our kids need positivity right now and being exhausted, stressed, cranky, depressed, anxious, etc. will affect them.
I consider a day off now no differently than a day I would any other school year. You should too. That is what the time is for. You can give from an empty vessel.