Have you tried an antidepressant. I was at work feeling I was about to burst into tears at any given second, went to doctor and just broke down in tears, he gave me lexapro and a sleep med doing much better now.

Thanks for the reply. I'm already on one and most of the time it works well. What really gets to me is that my teaching duties were DOUBLED this year (even though I had requested part time and admin. knows I have MS). It wasn't until the semester was over that I 'broke'. I didn't let it affect my classes at all.

with all you've been through last and this year, I think the evaluation means they are after you. Talk to your union--that's what those big dues are for.

i can't even imagine the hell, you are going thru, with ms and all those kids.

My cognitive issues are soo bad i could not even make change for a 100.00 bill the other day (customer had to help) (blush) ms is so tuff!

I take provigil (on the days i have too work), and having a really hard time, even then it's hard, but it helps a lot with the cognitive and fatique issues

Michelle...I don't know how your school district handles evals. but mine has a section where the teacher has the opportunity to reflect on the positive or negative of the eval. If I were you I would definately reflect, in a professional manner of course, how MS effects memory thus it may take a bit longer to memorize names.


For the phone call event...had you talked to your administrator about this? If you had then what the 2 of you discussed should be put on the eval. You have since gone part-time and that should be menioned somewhere in the eval. regarding the way MS reacts in regards to stress.

Overall...it is not legal to give someone a negative eval. simply because they have a medical dx.

Give it a day or so to sink in so that the anger starts to fade and then definately talk to someone in your union. They are there to protect your rights and will help you out if and when you ae treated in an unfair fashion due to your MS.
Chrissy

I have found that people knowing you have MS is a double-edged sword-sometimes people cut you slack they wouldn't cut for others and sometimes they blame your condition for behavior that non-MSrs would be guilty of under the same circumstances.

Honestly, after reading your story, I think you acted as any sane person would have reacted under the same circumstances. Don't be so hard on yourself. I also believe that when we get a diagnosis of MS, we are harder on ourselves and start suspecting MS is the cause of everything we are experiencing whether emotional, mental or physical.

I agree with the previous poster that said it sounded like they were out after you. Don't let yourself be a victim of their designs-talk to a lawyer and/or your union NOW.

It does not sound like there are any disciplinary issues at this point, so there probably won't be any union action at this point. You DO want to write a response to the comments and have them included in your personel file with the evaluation. You also DO want to have the whole thing documented by the union. (as a steward we were trained to keep notes for future use on any complaint) You also may want to find out from your human resources Dept. what you need to do to request a "reasonable accommodation" for your disability. Research the ADA some, it can really cover your butt if you make sure they know you have a recognized disability.
If you have a good superintendent, it may help to notify them that you feel discriminated against for your disability. Superintendents are very scared of legal action! Any time you ask for anything, make sure you specifically use the term "reasonable accomodation" for your disability.

Best of luck!

I think you have done very well to have 80% of the names in only 7 days teaching. I think a lot of people without ms would struggle to do that.
As for the verbal abuse phone call. I think you did very well to hang up, nobody has to put up with being abused. I would certainly be putting that in your response as it is better to hang up than get in an abusive phone call & say something that could aggravate the situation or come back & bite you on the bum.
I dont think it is something you have to accept. Are you given a chance to respond to evaluations? I know that when we get evaluations, they have to be discussed & we can write our opinion/feelings etc on them too. I would certainly be taking this to someone higher up or union before signing it.
I would also put your request for part time in writing with your reasons, if this is what you want. Before you do that, check what that does to your disability cover & other aspects of your work too.
Go to the union but also get independant advice too. I would suggest contact you local ms society & explain to them what is happening & get advice from them, sometimes they will be an advocate for you too (well they do here in Australia).
I have been through bad reviews & mistakes being thrown back at me at work & got a government rehab service involved so that I wasnt made to do anything I didnct want to etc. That was the best thing for me, I have since moved to part time hours & a less stressful job in the same company so have been very fortunate.
Take a deep breath, remember the saying "act in haste, repent at leisure". Very true about employment situations & a lot of others too.
Sorry I was long winded, will get off my soap box now.
Hugs Sue

hang in because you will overcome!

anyone whether they have an illness or not struggles with all of these issues! NEVER FORGET THAT!

stay strong, allow yourself to grieve when necessary (you have a huge heart) and hold your head up!

you are probably are better than, and have more going for you than half the other teachers.

you will be okay....love you!

xokatie

Thanks to all of you for the support and your responses. I do plan to respond in writing to the comments I disagree with. I think that the administrator I am dealing with doesn't like to 'lose,' so to speak. I think what bothers me the most is that somehow I'm getting blamed for the phone call and the verbal abuse. I just returned a call. the party on the other end was the abusive one. Principal told me, "I know him (mad dad) and I can't imagine him ever acting like that." (Guess I must have made it up so that I'd have more drama in my life! ) Something similar happened last year when he didn't appear to believe me. I'm beginning to believe that I am emotionally unstable. My classes aren't affected, thank goodness--I retain my professionalism.
Yes, I've already been in contact with my union, but I don't think there is anything they can do except give me advice.

i have three boys of my own..smile...and you could not pay me enough to be trapped in a class room all day with children..i applud all the teachers out there...smile...

someone suggested waiting a couple fo days for the anger to pass then contact your union rep..sounds like a good idea to me...then give em hell...grin..

luv
heather

Hang in there Michelle! I KNOW what dealing with those parents...of those little "angels" that you have to work with all day long...is all about!!! Nowdays...the kids can do no wrong!! (if you know what I mean?) Isn't there a "Disabilities Act Law" prohibiting "discrimination in the workplace?" I feel yah!! I've worked with several SLP's and Special Ed professionals who were handicapped in some way or other. Some seemed to get "special treatment" while others were seemingly being "shoved out the door!!" We're praying for you here! ;)
~Tonya

Eloise,

CONTACT YOUR UNION NOW. Be strong, be persistent, and be proactive. I'm a teacher; your administrator is going after you, and your job is in jeopardy. What he is doing is illegal and you must document every single incidence of what you are experiencing as it falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:

"Discriminatory practices under these laws also include employment decisions based on stereotypes or assumptions about the abilities, traits, or performance of individuals of a certain sex, race, age, religion, or ethnic group, or individuals with disabilities."

If your local union will not have a meeting with your administrator to address these issues, talk to your regional state Uniserv director. If they won't do anything about it, contact your national representatives (NEA or AFT). Your union is there to support you -- NOT JUST GIVE ADVICE.

No one should feel ashamed, threatened, or belittled for the situations that you have described. It's wrong, and its illegal. Take care of yourself NOW, and get it in WRITING from your district that the discriminatory harassment that you have been experiencing will stop immediately.

I wish you the best, and I am truly sorry that you've had to deal with this for even more than a moment.

Be well.

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful advice, support, and caring. I've contacted my Uniserve Director for NDEA regarding requesting a part time leave of absence for next year (so that I can teach 1/2 time and be guaranteed 1/2 time). The Uniserve director is in touch with the NDEA lawyer. Eventually, all will be cleared up...at least I hope so.

I agree with all said and also wonder if perchance it is a new evaluator.
Mainly, though, I want to emphasize the word NOW.. Don't let it slide thinking it is your imagination or something like that. I did that, but was only lucky, woke up, and smelled the onions.