I am an NQT, but haven't managed to get a job offer yet, and I am working as a Cover Supervisor at the moment.
I've been in education for 8 years in different settings. I taught TEFL abroad to adults which I absolutely loved, but they only offered zero-hours contracts so it was hard to live on.
I taught TEFL to large adult classes in England but it was difficult as all the students were from different cultures with different expectations. One Chinese lady said there was too much oral work, and refused to come back to my lessons so they replaced the teacher and I lost 3 weeks of work (even though nobody else complained). This could have been resolved if the student had spoken to me rather than rushing to the manager.
I have been a TA which I really enjoy, but I cannot afford to rent a flat and run a car on the pay, as well as save anything.
I'm now a cover supervisor and just don't think i'm any good. I'm not in a great school, 2 of the department are currently signed off with stress, and we are rated inadequate.
I don't enjoy it because it's exhausting, we are not allowed to sit down, we are expected to constantly walk around the room. So if you have a 5-lesson day it's 5 hours of walking.
We have just been told that we are issuing too many detentions, and that if we sanction a student, we must always telephone the parent, but who has the time to do that.
I am also a part-time tutor and feel that's the only thing i'm good at and enjoy.
I don't think it would be better in a good school. The behaviour may be better but there will still be a heavy workload and unrealistic expectations.
I don't think i'm an angry person but I find myself shouting over large classes because they are so noisy. Vast majority of the kids aren't bad kids, it's just a very stressful environment.
It requires so much energy, I just sit in bed most evenings, Friday nights I literally pass out at 9pm.
The pay is absolutely terrible too.
Anyone managed to go into tutoring full-time ? Does it sound like i'm just not meant to be a teacher ?
I'm thinking of going into a customer service or admin role and tutoring on the side.
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Thinking of leaving teaching for good
27 replies
Floral89x · 12/03/2020 16:21
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