Flu Season

Today is challenging. My body is weak, overcoming a cold that's been nagging at me since last Wednesday. I took off yesterday, reluctantly, but today I must weather the storm and get back to business as usual. The kids want hugs, colleagues want to talk in close proximity, but I feel obligated to hold up a sign that reads, "stay away or else".

Why do teachers feel so guilty for taking off work even for legitimate reasons? Some former students of mine told me about a teacher who was so sick at work that in between lessons he would go to the trash can to puke and then pick back up where he left off. Dedication or mildly insane? I wonder.