Some of you may know I work in a school. And I’ve been working in school for over 35 years. I’ve been a teacher, a principal, and now in my first retirement, I’m back to being a teacher.
Life in schools is both rewarding and very challenging. I’m having more patience and calm with kids now that I don’t drink. But there are days….
Tell us about your work in schools! And how has sobriety helped you or made it tougher? Have you felt like colleagues are supportive? Do they know? How will you handle the holiday season and the faculty parties? Do you think there is a connection between being an educator and being an alcoholic?
I know this is a safe space, so I hope we will learn from each other. What are your thoughts? What other questions come to your mind?
I’m a teacher too. I teach in a high school here in Qld, Australia. I absolutely love being a teacher. Definitely feels like what I’m ‘meant’ to be doing with my time I have worked in schools for the last 7 years, however, only in the role of teacher for the last 2 years.
I believe I’m able to be a much better teacher sober than I would be otherwise. Being sober gives me strength, courage, determination to succeed; it allows me to model a responsible and confident way of being in the world to my students. Sobriety brings me peace and clarity. Which I feel is totally necessary in our profession. Being a teacher is hard work! But, it’s such valuable work to be doing. Being there, caring for and helping others, in a learning environment - very conducive to a sober life if you ask me I only wish more teachers found their courage within to choose sober!
I have found more peace and clarity in my sober teaching life too.
I’m so happy for you to have found what you are meant to do. I figured that out for myself too and I’m so grateful to have meaningful work.
What subject or subjects do you teach?
I taught Spanish in high school for 10 years before I went into the principal work. Now I teach English to immigrant children. They all come from Central America so my Spanish is pretty handy.
And, if you don’t mind telling, was teaching a factor in your decision to live a sober life?
I teach Spanish too! Haha. I teach introductory Spanish to year level’s 7 and 8. My Spanish students are between 11-13yrs old más o menos I also teach English (the subject, not language) and Humanities and Social Sciences.
Initially, no teaching was not specifically on my mind when deciding to be sober. I was in pain and turmoil within, riddled with fear and anxiety and it finally clicked that by stopping drinking I’d give myself a much better chance of living peacefully and happily. Alcohol massively exasperated the anxiety and depression I had. I drank alcohol because I told myself I was “having fun” and really wanted to fit in socially, but, for me, alcohol is like a poison, destroying my soul. I still had/have lots of work to do regarding the anxiety and depression, but day by day I get/feel better and removing alcohol from my life is a big part of that It is hard sometimes, though, socially. There’s a huge drinking culture here, and especially within the profession. Sometimes I feel ‘different’ or ‘on the outer’ because I don’t drink. It’s hard to get involved or enjoy work social functions when they’re centred around alcohol. I stay strong though, as I know I’m doing what’s best for me. I don’t hide it from colleagues, I’m open about not drinking alcohol. Never had anyone make me feel bad about that, which is good. At faculty parties/ holiday season, I go, drink a non-alcoholic beverage or two - maybe a mocktail - and then leave, feeling good that I can drive myself home, and I’ve not made a drunken fool of myself. Personally, I don’t think there’s a connection between being an alcoholic and an educator. But, I do think it would be a fantastic thing if more educators choose not to drink - or at least not to rely on (if not glorify) alcohol in regards to their job/life!
That is SO cool that you taught Spanish too, and now you’re teaching English to South Americans. One of the things I’d love to do is travel to South American countries and teach English and improve my Spanish!
Are you from a Spanish-speaking family/background? Or, what/how did you get into Spanish language?
Thanks for your reply! And I’m so glad you are making excellent progress in your sobriety.
Our school has a holiday party plan underway. And I’m already planning my various safe strategies to remain sober. I live in Wisconsin and drinking is a huge part of the culture so I really do have to learn to live with it all around. Fortunately my husband is also sober, so after whatever version of the party I do, I will come home to a safe place for me and my sobriety.
Teaching Spanish? No, my family is not Hispanic or Spanish-speaking. When I was in college to become a teacher in the 1980s there was a surplus of teachers so I was advised to pick a specialist subject. I already had a lot of university credits from my high school years in Spanish, so I switched into Spanish for my major. I’m so glad I did because I never had trouble getting a good job. It has been super helpful in my work as a principal and of course now it is excellent for my work with students and families who are Spanish speakers that are learning English.
I would say that principal work was very stressful and my “relaxing “ strategy turned me into an alcoholic. Teaching is demanding, but not nearly as stressful as principal work was for me. I’m not sure I could have undertaken this level of self care and focus on sobriety if I were still in administration.
Thanks again for responding. I hope you have a great day.
I think most people know I teach ESL - English as a Second Language, in Japan. I teach in a university mainly, but do some English conversation or kids classes ad hoc. There is definitely a nomikai or drinking party culture. Luckily the department I teach in is not as ‘old boys club’ as some, we have a few gatherings but they are very tame, and easy to get away with not drinking.
I have worked in schools for the last 7 years, however, only in the role of teacher for the last 2 years.
It is hard sometimes, though, socially. There’s a huge drinking culture here, and especially within the profession. Sometimes I feel ‘different’ or ‘on the outer’ because I don’t drink. It’s hard to get involved or enjoy work social functions when they’re centred around alcohol. I stay strong though, as I know I’m doing what’s best for me. I don’t hide it from colleagues, I’m open about not drinking alcohol. Never had anyone make me feel bad about that, which is good. At faculty parties/ holiday season, I go, drink a non-alcoholic beverage or two - maybe a mocktail - and then leave, feeling good that I can drive myself home, and I’ve not made a drunken fool of myself. Personally, I don’t think there’s a connection between being an alcoholic and an educator. But, I do think it would be a fantastic thing if more educators choose not to drink - or at least not to rely on (if not glorify) alcohol in regards to their job/life!