Please help an old teacher who has fallen low
Donation protected
I worked for the Miami-Dade County Public School system for over 29 years, teaching hig school English/Language Arts. Over that time I spent much time, not unlike many teachers, after-school and at home focused on finding ways to make my job more effective. However, in the last few years, I had been beset with professional pressures which made the job stressful and personal problems which made the job painful.
No matter what anyone tells you, 9/11 was a traumatic event which haunts anyone who experienced it. I had to carry on that day as if nothing happened and feelings were, at best marginalized by the powers that be. As a loyal New Yorker, I've not been healed as yet. In 2004, I was diagnosed with depression. In 2009, my father's dementia worsened and I was left with the task of trying to deal with that and carry on my full-time job. My mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer and her inadequate treatment created more stress. Simultaneously, the pressures of standardized testing brought about by administrators and borne by the classroom teacher began to mount furiously.
Having been placed in a nursing home in early 2010, on July 28, 2010, my father died suddenly. Not having the funds to bury him, I had to wait three weeks before I was able to inter him. But I had to miss the ceremony as my presence was necessary for the beginning of the new school year. So, while my father was alone at his interrment, I and my colleagues were verbally dressed down for our low test scores.
On February 17, 2011, my mother died from her illness. I could not attend her funeral because my presence was necessary at some school workshop. I did not share my private grief because in the climate of fear over testing, NOBODY I KNEW would give a damn!
In the years since, I have had pressures at work and at home which led to a breakdown that ultimately resulted in a year-long suspension from my job in 2018 - one year before retirement! Suffice to say, I tried to hold on for as long as I could, spending all my savings to try to survive the time. All this time, I've got no will or feeling as my depression worsened, in addition to the demands of now taking care of my disabled sister who needs constant attention. By August last year, funds ran out and I was forced to abandon my hope to regain my position as teacher.
I'm at the end of my rope financially, spiritually, and physically. I have chronic pancreatitis and liver issues which sap my energies and make it very difficult to try to work. I have almost no support network and no one calls me. I'm deep debt and money is a constant problem. It seems as if between a rock and a hard place.
I am reaching out to any old students, colleagues, acquiantances, social media felks - anyone who may read this for any kindness and assistance that can be spared. Any funds raised will help toward getting a leg up on my debt and keeping my head above water.
I have never begged before and the very idea saddens and embarrasses me. I am ashamed, but I have no choice right now.
I thank you for reading this and for any charity you might spare me. I will try to pay it forward when I can.
No matter what anyone tells you, 9/11 was a traumatic event which haunts anyone who experienced it. I had to carry on that day as if nothing happened and feelings were, at best marginalized by the powers that be. As a loyal New Yorker, I've not been healed as yet. In 2004, I was diagnosed with depression. In 2009, my father's dementia worsened and I was left with the task of trying to deal with that and carry on my full-time job. My mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer and her inadequate treatment created more stress. Simultaneously, the pressures of standardized testing brought about by administrators and borne by the classroom teacher began to mount furiously.
Having been placed in a nursing home in early 2010, on July 28, 2010, my father died suddenly. Not having the funds to bury him, I had to wait three weeks before I was able to inter him. But I had to miss the ceremony as my presence was necessary for the beginning of the new school year. So, while my father was alone at his interrment, I and my colleagues were verbally dressed down for our low test scores.
On February 17, 2011, my mother died from her illness. I could not attend her funeral because my presence was necessary at some school workshop. I did not share my private grief because in the climate of fear over testing, NOBODY I KNEW would give a damn!
In the years since, I have had pressures at work and at home which led to a breakdown that ultimately resulted in a year-long suspension from my job in 2018 - one year before retirement! Suffice to say, I tried to hold on for as long as I could, spending all my savings to try to survive the time. All this time, I've got no will or feeling as my depression worsened, in addition to the demands of now taking care of my disabled sister who needs constant attention. By August last year, funds ran out and I was forced to abandon my hope to regain my position as teacher.
I'm at the end of my rope financially, spiritually, and physically. I have chronic pancreatitis and liver issues which sap my energies and make it very difficult to try to work. I have almost no support network and no one calls me. I'm deep debt and money is a constant problem. It seems as if between a rock and a hard place.
I am reaching out to any old students, colleagues, acquiantances, social media felks - anyone who may read this for any kindness and assistance that can be spared. Any funds raised will help toward getting a leg up on my debt and keeping my head above water.
I have never begged before and the very idea saddens and embarrasses me. I am ashamed, but I have no choice right now.
I thank you for reading this and for any charity you might spare me. I will try to pay it forward when I can.
Organizer
Con Mc Russ
Organizer
North Miami Beach, FL
