Teaching - the good, the bad, the ugly

[Frogfairy]

Having an awful week this week. Kids are so disrespectful, I feel like I'm invisible in my own classroom as the kids are talking over me most of the time. It's taking ages to get tasks done as I'm spending so much time behaviour managing. I've been told to piss off and to shut up so far this week. All the kids get is a detention then I'm expected to have a restorative conversation with them any teachers who got out for a decent paid job that's part time??? Feeling so trapped and fed up.

 

[Moonflower]

Having an awful week this week. Kids are so disrespectful, I feel like I'm invisible in my own classroom as the kids are talking over me most of the time. It's taking ages to get tasks done as I'm spending so much time behaviour managing. I've been told to piss off and to shut up so far this week. All the kids get is a detention then I'm expected to have a restorative conversation with them any teachers who got out for a decent paid job that's part time??? Feeling so trapped and fed up.

Could you do tutoring? I'm sorry it's so tit.

 

[Frogfairy]

Could you do tutoring? I'm sorry it's so tit.

Thankyou, my subject isn't core and tutoring doesn't pay much. Most agencies offer £25 an hour. Once you've paid tax on that and fuel it's hardly worth it

 

[Funsizes]

Secondary (KS4/5) teacher here! I can't handle my fluctuating emotions with the job at the moment, I love it and then I hate it. My boyfriend works at school and he's leaving soon and I'm worried I'll be unbelievably jealous of him..

 

[nik1231]

It's so tough - it's making me miserable. I dread going in - between EHCPs, a serious medical condition, many low-level ASD and anxiety needs who will probably never get support and challening parents telling me to validate their children's feelings about ridiculous things when they are the cause of most of my problems by not parenting, I'm done. I spend the day firefighting and I get to the end of the day with no time or energy for my own life or the people in it. I can feel my life passing me by beacuase of this job!

 

[Em_gardener]

It's so tough - it's making me miserable. I dread going in - between EHCPs, a serious medical condition, many low-level ASD and anxiety needs who will probably never get support and challening parents telling me to validate their children's feelings about ridiculous things when they are the cause of most of my problems by not parenting, I'm done. I spend the day firefighting and I get to the end of the day with no time or energy for my own life or the people in it. I can feel my life passing me by beacuase of this job!

I feel the same and on top of that I've become so demotivated that I'm way behind on paperwork and I'm terrified that I'll have a surprise inspection and get in trouble. Currently looking into other options.

 

[nik1231]

I feel the same and on top of that I've become so demotivated that I'm way behind on paperwork and I'm terrified that I'll have a surprise inspection and get in trouble. Currently looking into other options.

Let me know what you find! It's on my list to do as well when I have the energy and brainpower to have a look.

 

[Crabbypatty00]

I'm recently back from maternity leave and my department and the school generally just feels so depressing. We used to socialise, have a giggle and that made the dark days bearable. Now any camaraderie has vanished and it's just grinding out the days. I'm secondary and the maturity of students in ks3 is just so incredibly low! Behaviour is getting increasingly challenging. We used to have one or two seriously problematic characters per year group now it's more like 10.

I want to leave so desperately. I'm given myself a deadline to go before by child gets to primary school but finding a part time, reasonably well paid work from home job seems impossible. I want to be self employed ideally but don't have the attention span or energy required. I'm so frustrated with myself that I can't see a new direction to head in.

 

[Sprezza]

I'm recently back from maternity leave and my department and the school generally just feels so depressing. We used to socialise, have a giggle and that made the dark days bearable. Now any camaraderie has vanished and it's just grinding out the days. I'm secondary and the maturity of students in ks3 is just so incredibly low! Behaviour is getting increasingly challenging. We used to have one or two seriously problematic characters per year group now it's more like 10.

I want to leave so desperately. I'm given myself a deadline to go before by child gets to primary school but finding a part time, reasonably well paid work from home job seems impossible. I want to be self employed ideally but don't have the attention span or energy required. I'm so frustrated with myself that I can't see a new direction to head in.

You'll have more energy and attention span when you leave! Maybe you could go part-time and set yourself up as self-employed and when it gets going leave completely.

 

[nik1231]

I think it’s because everybody is drowning and miserable (or at least most of us) so they don’t have the time or energy for a laugh or camaraderie. It makes the job miserable.
I get it - I want out but I don’t have the energy at the end of the day to put the effort into looking for a viable alternative.

 

[Sharkfan]

I know this doesn’t quite fit the thread title but I’m a final year primary education student and due to receive QTS in June so am currently looking for my first teaching job. I’ve had two interviews so far but have been rejected on both occasions and am finding it difficult to get over it.



Both times the main feedback has been that although I’ve had a good manner and management of the class, I need to relax more and show more of my personality. However, both times I’ve stood up in front of the class for my lesson the nerves set in and I find it really hard to completely relax when I’ve only got a short time to do my lesson and there are three teachers staring me down the whole time. I think the worst thing is both times the feedback has been really minor changes which makes me think they just didn’t want me as a teacher there and makes me feel like unless I completely change myself and my teaching style I’ll never get a job. Does anyone have any advice on how I can change my approach so I can actually secure a job for September?

 

[wakametango 3.0]

I know this doesn’t quite fit the thread title but I’m a final year primary education student and due to receive QTS in June so am currently looking for my first teaching job. I’ve had two interviews so far but have been rejected on both occasions and am finding it difficult to get over it.



Both times the main feedback has been that although I’ve had a good manner and management of the class, I need to relax more and show more of my personality. However, both times I’ve stood up in front of the class for my lesson the nerves set in and I find it really hard to completely relax when I’ve only got a short time to do my lesson and there are three teachers staring me down the whole time. I think the worst thing is both times the feedback has been really minor changes which makes me think they just didn’t want me as a teacher there and makes me feel like unless I completely change myself and my teaching style I’ll never get a job. Does anyone have any advice on how I can change my approach so I can actually secure a job for September?

I’ve been teaching 15 years and still got rejected from 2 before securing my 3rd and final post. Visiting schools first lets you build a rapport with the head, that way you’ve built an impression already. For the lesson, in my experience they’re really looking at how you engage with the children, how organised you are and can you explain the LO well enough that children can complete the task you’ve made.
all in all, if the feedback has only been to relax I’d take that as a positive as you clearly know what you’re doing!
the first job that rejected me didn’t even have a reason, the head got flustered and asked me to call back (I never did) I took it as a red flag!

 

[Sharkfan]

I’ve been teaching 15 years and still got rejected from 2 before securing my 3rd and final post. Visiting schools first lets you build a rapport with the head, that way you’ve built an impression already. For the lesson, in my experience they’re really looking at how you engage with the children, how organised you are and can you explain the LO well enough that children can complete the task you’ve made.
all in all, if the feedback has only been to relax I’d take that as a positive as you clearly know what you’re doing!
the first job that rejected me didn’t even have a reason, the head got flustered and asked me to call back (I never did) I took it as a red flag!

Thank you I’ll definitely book a visit to see the other schools I’m interested in. The last one actually didn’t even offer visits so maybe I’ve dodged a budget there.

 

[Frogfairy]

I know this doesn’t quite fit the thread title but I’m a final year primary education student and due to receive QTS in June so am currently looking for my first teaching job. I’ve had two interviews so far but have been rejected on both occasions and am finding it difficult to get over it.



Both times the main feedback has been that although I’ve had a good manner and management of the class, I need to relax more and show more of my personality. However, both times I’ve stood up in front of the class for my lesson the nerves set in and I find it really hard to completely relax when I’ve only got a short time to do my lesson and there are three teachers staring me down the whole time. I think the worst thing is both times the feedback has been really minor changes which makes me think they just didn’t want me as a teacher there and makes me feel like unless I completely change myself and my teaching style I’ll never get a job. Does anyone have any advice on how I can change my approach so I can actually secure a job for September?

I don't think there is anything wrong with your approach. Teaching interviews are just so weird and the pressure is insane. It sounds like they just didn't think you were the right fit and were grasping at straws to find something to give you feedback on. It's a very odd comment about your personality in my opinion and I honestly think you've had a lucky escape both times, especially the school that didn't let you look around - that's alarm bells for me!

Could you ask for more detailed feedback and tips on improving upon this? What has your mentor said? You're obviously a good teacher as they don't pass people for the sake of it.

Are you able to go and observe some other Teachers perhaps? Teaching interviews are usually such short notice but if you are able to practice the lesson on your class beforehand it may give you more confidence when you are teaching your lesson.

I'm secondary but have worked in Primary and know many Teachers who have had lots of interviews before they get their first job. It sucks when you don't get the job especially when you really want it but you will find a role that is right for you. There is always the supply route too, perhaps sign up to a few agencies to keep your options open as usually a permanent role can come out of that.

Keep your chin up and well done for making it this far. Teaching is a hard gig.

 

[Sharkfan]

I don't think there is anything wrong with your approach. Teaching interviews are just so weird and the pressure is insane. It sounds like they just didn't think you were the right fit and were grasping at straws to find something to give you feedback on. It's a very odd comment about your personality in my opinion and I honestly think you've had a lucky escape both times, especially the school that didn't let you look around - that's alarm bells for me!

Could you ask for more detailed feedback and tips on improving upon this? What has your mentor said? You're obviously a good teacher as they don't pass people for the sake of it.

Are you able to go and observe some other Teachers perhaps? Teaching interviews are usually such short notice but if you are able to practice the lesson on your class beforehand it may give you more confidence when you are teaching your lesson.

I'm secondary but have worked in Primary and know many Teachers who have had lots of interviews before they get their first job. It sucks when you don't get the job especially when you really want it but you will find a role that is right for you. There is always the supply route too, perhaps sign up to a few agencies to keep your options open as usually a permanent role can come out of that.

Keep your chin up and well done for making it this far. Teaching is a hard gig.

Thank you. I definitely will ask some of my placement schools if I can come back and observe some teachers and maybe teach a little myself. I think part of the reason I’m struggling with confidence in lessons is the fact my final placement ended in December so haven’t taught since then.

 

[nik1231]

Something I’ve realised over the year is that it’s not just about them wanting you, it’s also about whether you want to work there. It’s something I didn’t think about when I first started applying.

I’d say don’t overthink it, don’t think about what you think they want and just do what you would do - teach how you believe teaching should be. If they love it then you will probably like the school. If they don’t then you probably wouldn’t enjoy working in that school anyway.

Also, it’s not until you get into a school that you realise that a lot of SLT are actually quite out of touch with the classroom. Don’t think of them as this all knowing person that is observing you. They’re probably not. Think of them as somebody observing you, the recently qualified teacher whose knowledge is tit hot and probably better than theirs. It’s your chance to show off and show what you can do!