I need kick up the jacksy

[PhyllisDietrichson]

I sort of like my teaching job, But...

I'm afraid of my year 12's. Teaching them is like nailing jelly to a wall. I want to say "Those that want to learn stay, anyone who's not prepared to do the class as planned can go to the canteen instead." This would not be permitted for obvs reasons.

I have nightmares about my form who I have been lately allocated part time. They're making my life difficult, and I am feeling at a low-ebb and so lack the motivation to deal with them and their constant getting into trouble, being on report etc. I feel weak around them - a bit self-perpetuating.

I can do the rest of my job well. I'm very creative and hardworking, but sometimes just feel defeated by the tough stuff. I'm lucky to have my job, but often I feel incredibly stressed and I don't sleep well. I keep looking for another role in another sector but then I know that any job has it's boring, tough, difficult bits, why is this so hard? I feel like a square peg a lot of the time...like I said I need a kick up the what sits. Anyone else experienced anything like this?

[sassytheFIRST]

I can and do tell my 6th form off if needed. I have been known to send individuals away with a flea in their ear if they've not done the reading/ missed a deadline - "there's no pint you being here, you've wasted all our time, get back to the study centre and catch up". I email concerns to the Head of 6th who is v supportive. I have been known to contact parents as well. If it is talking that is cashing the problem, you are the one in charge, split people up - maybe do a group task and you decide on groups (poss by ability, similar abilities have appropriate conversations/level if analysis, (and tell them that's what it is about)). If they behave like kids, treat them like kids!

[EvilTwins]

6th formers expect to be treated like adults and so lME, if they behave like kids, and are treated like kids, it has an impact. I get cross with my 6th formers occasionally and they hate it. But then sometimes they take the piss - they need to be told that the rules do apply to them and they do need to do homework and wear the right uniform and turn up on time.

On the flip side, when things are going well, teaching 6th form is an absolute joy.

My advice would be to be completely consistent with all your sanctions and remember that they're still kids and still need the same rewards as they did 4 months ago when they were yr 11s.

[woodlands01]

Oh - this did make me smile. I have recently changed jobs so am quite new (slightly insecure??) in a VERY different environment to previous school. New school very high achieving, the head teacher warned me that I may find the students rather arrogant compared to my last school. Thankfully I have not found this generally and am enjoying my job immensely.
However the 6th form is VERY split. Half are with me, half (the lazy ones) are not. I really lost my temper two weeks ago and kept them back and gave them such a telling off. I am teaching a new board (Edexcel rather than AQA) - I actually told them this and said that I do everything I ask them to beforehand because I want to make sure I have no gaps in my knowledge as the boards are slightly different. I made it 100% clear that I was working harder on the curriculum than they were, I was phoning home to ensure their parents were aware of the situation before parents evening in three weeks time and if I didn't see any improvement in that time I would be having exactly the same conversation with parents then. 8 very unhappy students and I really don't care - at this stage they should be mature enough to drive their own learning. All documented to head of 6th form before they could go ahead and complain............ my prediction is they will leave course by Xmas, and rightly so, don't have the correct attitude. While I am confident I have covered my back my insecurity in new job plays on my mind as the school needs numbers in the 6th form and there is pressure on to keep students on courses for financial reasons. Surely it is morally wrong to keep students in Maths 'A' level when they are going to underachieve because they are lazy and are therefore not going to 'cut-it' in the independent learning environment of a university?