Weeks of a Beginning Teacher – Week 8: Health is Wealth

Takeaways in 10 s

• Teaching doesn’t pause (even when sick) – coordination, communication, and care still matter.

• Plan ahead – helps to make it easy for colleagues to relief your class

• Blessed for medical coverage – having quick access to doctor is a blessing not all can enjoy

This Week in My Teaching Journey

This is my first time taking taken medical leave as a teacher. I realised that the duty of care as a teacher doesn’t completely pause even when on MC. From briefing colleagues to preparing relief instructions, and texting students to follow up on tasks — rest was interspersed with responsibilities.

Luckily, I could sense the flu coming the day before, so I pre-empted some of the logistics. That definitely helped with the handovers. But still, I felt a bit like I was managing a mini operation from bed.

What stood out to me this week was just how much coordination goes into taking a single day off. A part of me wondered if it might’ve been easier to just go to work. But being sick — especially in a time of rising COVID cases — reminded me that resting isn’t selfish; it’s responsible. We owe it to our colleagues and students not to spread illness.

On a separate note, I had a wake-up call about healthcare access. Clinic consultation fees around my area varied drastically — from $26 to $45 — and the more expensive ones had much shorter waiting times (Like 2 to 3 hours shorter). When you’re feeling awful, that difference feels massive (I could have a solid nap in 3 hours). It was one of those moments that made me quietly appreciate how money affects access and comfort, especially in times of vulnerability.

If I Could Tell My Younger Self One Thing...

“Rest is not a reward. It’s part of the work.”

Don’t wait till you crash to give yourself permission to rest. Teaching is relentless, and when you're unwell, your body deserves to be heard. You may still need to coordinate and plan, but don’t feel guilty for stepping back. You're doing your job — just differently.

And on a practical note: always be prepared. Have a system. Plan for sudden sick days before they come. Your future self will thank you.

Disclaimer: This blog post is a summary of my written takeaways by ChatGPT and the cover image is generated by using the takeaway as the prompt in ChatGPT.