Dear Fellow Posters,

I do not know if it is okay to ask this, but is anyone here who posts a teacher, or knows of a teacher who struggles with any type of eating disorder? I am curious how they feel this impacts the students - if at all - or their personal relationships with co-workers. In my opinion, the teacher is always in the spotlight so-to-speak; teaching isn't a nine-to-five desk job where one can hide in a cubicle until the office birthday party lets out. I mean absolutely no disrespect by this comment, I only mean to illustrate that a teacher is a very involved individual and, more often than not, social events cannot be avoided.

On a side note, my very-soon-to-be fiancee carefully commented that I could use a few pounds. This is obvious, but the comment sent me into a late night/early morning binge session that was remarkably miserable. This was after a long day of not-so-healthy eating in the first place. So, essentially, I am left to question how I handle comments like this. Clearly, neither starving or binging are the answer, so where does that leave me? After the comment was made, it seemed as though I would never sleep again. Any thoughts?

I am an educator, and I have had struggles because of my position.

It seems that the schools I’ve worked at constantly have celebrations that included food. The PTSA wants to reward the faculty with various kinds of treats, and someone is always bringing in donuts or bagels for the staff lounge. Many teachers stay in their classrooms and can avoid much of the food, but I have learned that the more I isolate the bigger my eating disorder gets. I try to socialize in these situations and I usually just say no thanks.

When I worked at the elementary level, I was underweight and continually felt inadequate because I felt I needed to look like the girls I taught. I had to take a medical leave at that time until I could maintain a healthy weight.

Fast forward, a few years and I now currently work at the high school level. I don’t know that my disorder impacts students as much as students impacting me. I find with high school students you can share more on a personal level with them because they have a level of understanding that younger children don’t have. They are also very perceptive and will ask questions, as well as, share information with an educator that they might not share at home.

I struggle with this disorder everyday, and it has gotten worse over the past several months, I am actually in active relapse but I’m trying to focus on good healthy behavior. My goal is not to act out on this disorder today. That is part of the reason for answering this post. I needed some place safe to go while I had some time to kill. Wish me luck.

GloBones