Hi there! I completely understand. Here are my suggestions --
and they may not all be "right" -- but they tend to work for me.

1. At school -- drink water, water, water!! :) I'm sure you
already are -- keep it up. Also, I take "hall's" cough drops
-- especially in the morning when my throat and head are most
congested. The mentholatem (or whatever) helps actually clear
up the "head voice' part of my head. It's not always perfect
-- but after a while -- it helps a lot!!

2. Stop singing with the kids!!!! Start using CD's to help
you. Yes, I hate this too -- and when I really like a song I'm
teaching -- it's so hard for me NOT to sing! But, it really
helps save my voice in the long run. Most Cd's have great
quality now -- and good "kids" voices to help the kids match.
Overall, mine do pretty well with them.

3. Get a quiet signal -- and practice, practice, practice.
Whenever I find myself trying to talk louder and louder --
that's when I get out that quiet signal and talk so much softer
than I did. My signal is a rainstick -- and when I turn it the
kids say "1--stop, 2 turn and look, 3 thank you for listening."
If they don't stop talking after that -- then everyone goes
back to their seats, and we practice until it is perfect.
Then, we try our activity again. What's really great is that
since I've taught this to all of my classes, when I run
assemblies, I use the same "get quiet" signal -- and it works
-- 500 kids -- silent! It's awesome! :)

4. And this one was difficult for me -- stop talking. Give
shorter directions, break things down into smaller pieces --
this way, you're not giving a big long explanation and hurting
that voice further.

Outside of school:

5. Go to your regular doctor -- get some decongestants -- or
at least, let him know what is going on. You may have some
allergies that you weren't expecting. I know that my problems
are much worse in the fall because of all the moisture -- I
think I'm allergic to mold. If I take a "Claritin" and some
kind of decongestant - I'm usually pretty good.

6. You might look into voice therapy. I talked to a college
student about a month ago, and she also had to go to an ENT to
see what was wrong. And they told her (after scoping) to look
into voice therapy - and if it doesn't get better, then you
might have something more severe going on -- but I would start
there (and I probably also need to do this.)

7. Take vitamin C and a multi-vitamin every day (again, need
to take this advice myself). But, you mentioned being tired at
the end of the day -- and I know that for me, taking that
vitamin C works to keep my immune system up, so I can fight
everything else that comes around.

8. You said you're drinking tea - that's good - try green tea
that has no caffeine -- and if you need a jolt in the morning
to get started -- try "mint" tea without caffine. You'll be
surprised at how just the smell will wake you up.

That's all I've got for you. Rest is definitely something you
need. Try exercising your stress away if you can. I've taken
up running with some friends from school -- and it's made a
difference in how I feel. Just make sure you don't over-do --
even with a concert coming. Find ways to get them to sing and
practice without you singing with them.

Good luck!!!

kitmusic/OK

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