teaching

[ej0820]

Hey guys...

As of right now, I'm a music education major (playing the tuba <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">). When I get out of school, I hope to teach any age from the little ones to the high schoolers. Since little kids are ALWAYS sick and spreading germs, do you think I'd be likely to catch a lot of bugs? (not that that's going to change my career choice...it was just a thought of the moment)


erin
19/f/cf

 

[Emily65Roses]

As far as something like pseudomonas goes, I'd be willing to guess that age has no baring on it. Whether you're around snot-nosed little kids... or dirty adults that hide it by attempting to be clean... or adults who really are "clean" (no matter what you do, you can only get so clean), pseudomonas is there and you're going to get it. Heh. The only thing I could imagine kids giving you moreso than adults might be... runny noses, or colds. But even those you get from adults. *shrug* Who knows? I'm just guessing here. Haha. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[HollyCatheryn]

I am also a music teacher and I teach a similar age range to what you are looking at. I teach violin/viola/voice. I find that it is pretty easy to catch stuff. I have a great supplement that has really helped my immune system. I haven't caught a virus in over two years! Even from hubby - who is also a teacher. A couple of things to think about:1) Location - you have more control over the bugs in your own environment than at a school or office. If you are planning on or end up teaching private lessons rather than band class, you might well consider teaching out of your home (you can & I have asked students to go wash up before starting lessons). 2) I don't know how tuba (being blown and having spit valves to empty) might affect your exposure differently than other instruments. You might make sure to have them empty onto a cloth of their own or into a bowl rather than on the floor to splatter. You might also want to keep that waterless hand sanitizer handy.3) I have made a policy with students that I am willing to make up any sick lessons and be understanding about practice missed as long as they do not come to a lessons knowing they are or thinking they might be sick. I give them up to lunch time the day of an afternoon lessons to cancel for suspicion of illness (most teachers demand more warning for missing without penalizing).4) Keep the room well-ventilated and make sure that your filters are cleaned frequently (at least monthly). If you have vents that do not have filters directly in them, ask about putting them in and state your health NEED.5) Get as much fresh air as possible in between lessons.6) Have a good and regular airway/mucus clearance regmine. The less mucus you have sitting around in your lungs and sinuses, the less chance of bacteria being trapped and turning into an infectionJust some thoughts and precautions from someone who's been there. Glad to hear you're going into Ed. We need all the good and passionate teachers we can get. Welcome to the crew!