California teacher Janet Udomratsak teaches her third graders from her hospital bed.
During the current pandemic, educators all over the country are stepping up to meet the extra challenges that confront educators this year. But Janet Udomratsak, a teacher from Lancaster, California, is overcoming a personal medical challenge as well. Because of a high-risk pregnancy, she’s currently on doctor-ordered bed rest. Nevertheless, she is teaching from her hospital bed.
Janet teaches third grade at Tierra Bonita Elementary School in the Eastside Union School District in Lancaster. “In the beginning of the school year, that is when you build your relationship with your students, and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity,” the veteran educator declared.
She was hospitalized seven weeks ago due to pregnancy complications. With months to go on bedrest until her second child is due, Janet decided to take on the challenge of teaching her class from her hospital bed. “My love of teaching and building that relationship is so much stronger than me just wanting to sit and do nothing,” the dedicated teacher explained. “And, honestly, that would be the life, to take it all in and relax, but my desire is to be with the students.”
Janet also said that, especially during these unprecedented times, she feels it’s her job to make sure her students know they are not alone. “It’s something that is new for all of us, and I want to show them that I am there with them and the struggle is real for me as a teacher, it’s real them as the students and we are all in this together,” she concluded.
