Worried about being isolated

[Tanya177]

I am a teacher in a primary school diagnosed with celiac disease 7 months ago. I eat my lunch in my classroom and pop into the staff room for a drink and a chat with colleagues after.  I have worked at the school for 14years.   I have been told that next year I am moving year groups and will be in another building where I don’t really know any of the other staff members.  The staff room in that building is tiny and there is really nowhere to sit. I am worried I am going to be isolated as by the time I’ve had my lunch gone over to the other building it will be time to go back and get ready for the afternoon. Am I being over anxious?  or is there something that I can ask for at work to help the situation. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Tanya177!

Help us understand why you don't eat with the other staff members at the present time. I'm assuming you already pack your own lunch rather than eating school cafeteria food. Surely there are other staffers who bring their own lunches. How would this be different if you did not have celiac disease?

Edited June 19, 2025 by trents

[Tanya177]

I’m worried about cross contamination, as people don’t clear up properly. I take my own lunch in a packed lunch box with my own cutlery, plate etc and wash it all at home everyday rather than using the schools communal options. There is always crumbs or food left out for us to share on tables etc. 

[trents]

I would think that as long as you keep your food on a wrapper or on a paper plate you would not be at risk for cross contamination. You may be overthinking it all which is common for those in the first year of the celiac journey.

But let me ask you. Are you feeling self-conscious about having a celiac diagnosis? I notice the term "isolated" in your thread title. Do you fear being shunned? I offer this video clip for your consideration:

 

[Scott Adams]

I agree with @trents and wiping down the spot you eat your lunch, and eating the food your brought from home should be safe for even sensitive celiacs. Gluten can jump on your food, so it would likely better better for you to continue eating where you prefer.

[cristiana]

Thanks for sharing that film, @trents.  I am not sure how I missed that film as I see it is a few years old, but it is very good. 

I think you should be fine if you take your own packed lunch and eat it from your own lunchbox etc.  Might be worth doing a lunchtime recce to see how cramped the room is before making a decision - for all you know, there may be other people  there who don't eat gluten?

Edited June 20, 2025 by cristiana

[Awol cast iron stomach]

Hi,

I have worked in education in the past. Based on where assigned and building crowding I made adjustments when needed.  I understand completely what you mentioned. I brought food from home in my own Pyrex glass container.  I kept it in my own lunch tote that I kept with me during the day. In the teacher's lounge/staff lunch room I would wipe down the area I sat at with soap and water with disposable paper towel.  I also placed down a fabric placemat prior to unpacking my meal. Unfortunately, one district I could never use the microwaves as they were filled with splatters and crumbs. (To be honest at that one school even if I didn't have this condition, I would not have used those microwaves based on their state of cleanliness). There were mini lockers nearby that I kept my placemat in. I brought my placemat  home weekly to launder.  There were times if the staff had a celebration with cake or pizza I would eat outside or in my car . As the  eating tables also had to display the  party spread. So the pizza and cake was on the communal lunch tables. Those days I just diverted to outside on the grass or my car. When I was fortunate to have a consistent schedule many staff "knew" my spot, and it was usually empty when I arrived. Occasionally, it was taken and it normally was by a substitute who didn't know about me/my situation. 

I hope you are able to navigate this new change of building/assignment. I do know these days many districts have crowding and teachers often share classrooms or the same desk. This was often my experience whether in teacher or support staff role. Some districts you don't even have your own desk or space. I hope you do have some space to retreat to when possible. There often times is that awkwardness of a new schedule assignment where they ask why you don't want cake, pizza ,or always bring your lunch etc. For me that happened in every job education or business sector as often times I was the only one with this condition. 

I hope this may have offered some support to lessen your anxiety about the new school year  assignment change. Best wishes