Monica,
I am a fellow introvert and it can sometimes be difficult for me. However, I have managed a few ways to cope. In answer to your questions:
1.Do any of you have jobs where you work alone for, at least, half of your work day? I am alone all day in a classroom with up to 5 children. I do occasionally fill in at the front desk but that's usually in the evenings. At that time I do not usually have any children with me and no other adults. The days this happen are wonderful as I get some much needed down time away from other people.
2.Do any of you have jobs where you interact with less than 5 people in a day? Right now, due to Covid, interacting with less than 5 people a day is pretty standard. I generally interact with the children in my class only and that is 5 tops. I will see other staff throughout the day, for example when moving the children to the gym or outside to play. Interactions at that time are generally a wave and hello.
3. Teachers, how do you deal with being introverted and being in a class full of people? I only have at the most 5 children in my class so I do not have a lot of people I am around during the day. However, if I am feeling a bit overwhelmed I usually ask for a short break or for someone to watch the children while I go to the restroom. I have a wonderful director, assistant director, and manager and they are more than willing to step into the classroom so I can get a breather. Also, if I am feeling extremely "peopled out" I will take my lunch in a room away from others or even go sit in my car during my lunch break.
4. Do any of you relate with feeling more drained after talking to adults than after talking with kids? I can't say that I feel more drained after talking with adults. This is possibly because the majority of my time is spent with young children--2 years old to be exact. Having an adult conversation is usually welcome.
5. Any general advice for introverts in ECE? If you are able, get away from people throughout the day. Eat your lunch somewhere quiet. If break times away from the children are possible, take them. If you get time to work on lesson plans away from others, do so. Enjoy nap time when hopefully all the children are asleep. Even though you are still in the room with them at least they are quiet and you can regroup. At the end of your day, once your home take some time for yourself to recover. People who are not introverts do not understand how draining it can be having to be around people all day. As much as I love working with children, I need some downtime to recover. It's been very difficult during the pandemic. My center shut down for four months and we were virtual. Even though I missed my kids and was happy being back in my classroom, it was a shock to my system when I was constantly surrounded by people every day and interacting to them. I had to readjust and remember to take advantage of those down times to recharge.
Good luck to all my fellow introverts! It's not easy but we are stronger than we think!
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Lisa Wall
Greenfield IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2021 01:31 PM
From: Monica Vazquez
Subject: Questions for Introverts in ECE
Hello fellow introverts, I have a few questions for you all:
1. Do any of you have jobs where you work alone for, at least, half of your work day?
2. Do any of you have jobs where you interact with less than 5 people in a day?
3. Teachers, how do you deal with being introverted and being in a class full of people?
4. Do any of you relate with feeling more drained after talking to adults than after talking with kids?
5. Any general advice for introverts in ECE?
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Monica
Pre-K Teacher
Bay Area, CA
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