Common illness is commonplace in a public school. Sick children come to school for a variety of reasons: not knowing they are contagious, being forced by their parents, fearful of missing an assignment or social event. Regardless, teachers are at risk of becoming ill due to the constant contact they sustain with these virally loaded students. I have personally gotten sick four times during the last 9 months, far too frequent to be normal for my typical track record. Does anyone consider the suffering and stress this presents the teachers? Why do teachers not get compensated with hazard pay during flu season? Is it assumed to be a part of the job, just as nurses are expected to be exposed to? Most teachers have a very different way of protecting themselves during possible exposure, if any.

Why does American culture emphasize going to work or coming to school even if you are feeling bad? Why are the systems in place so counterproductive to helping those students who miss school? I have students who complain about missing one day of math and they come back to a teacher speaking a completely different language. Some classes are a step up for students to succeed even when they do not come to class. providing online opportunities to students that mirror what is done in class. But in my experience, the majority of students who miss class on a regular basis are not the ones who seek to keep up with their school work. Educators can never escape the motivation equation.

JLS