I'm appalled at the ways teachers are treated

[teachingwasntforme]

Ive name changed as I post a lot on another board.
A bit of background. Im a HCP with 30+ years experience of working in very intense fast moving often stressful high pressured environments. I work 'long days" which is literally what they are 12 - 13 very intense hours, I often get no break all day so no drink, food or chance to go to the loo and walk 14000+ steps a day. I'm regular verbally abused by patients or their families and have also been physically abused over the years by patients and or families with guns knives and other weapons. I became increasingly disilussioned with my job and the way the NHS is going, and as I also happen to have a degree in a shortage subject I thought Id train to be a secondary teacher. I attended open days visited schools observed lessons talked to loads of teachers I already mentored and taught in my current job so applied and quickly got a place with a SCITT doing a PGCE. Without boasting I was considered to be a very strong candidate, teaching friends thought Id be "brilliant".
After 2 1/2 months I left I can honestly say I was the worst 2 1/2 months of my life. Putting aside the fact that I quickly realised I didn't actually like teaching and that I did like being an HCP I was frankly stunned with they way teachers are treated, endless lesson observations, loads of nit picking criticism, leadership walks, unrealistic goals, ridiculous marking schemes, weekly patronising talks from the SLT's, having to still write lessons plans set work etc when your still off sick, a culture of dammed if you do and dammed if you don't, notice I havent mentioned the children. Im amazed any of you stick it out. I read many of the threads on here and I totally understand where many who are totally disillusioned and miserable to the point of collapse are coming from. My SCITT by the way had a 60% drop out, but its not just our placements schools it seems to be a national problem.
Before I started if Id read the threads on this board I thought it was just the odd teacher moaning but now I know differently.
Just to add (and Im not trying to pick a fight here) I don't actually think you work as hard as many HCPs, I come home at the end of a barely able to stand or think (I never felt like that as a trainee teacher), but when I finish work thats it, and if and its a big if you removed all the crap from teaching and were allowed to be teachers it probably isn't as stressful as mine in that I am involved in life and death decisions on a regular basis and dealing with very sick people is emotionally demanding but what makes teaching more stressful is all this other stuff being piled you.
So I take my hat off to those of you who carry on. What will happen in the future? We as parents and society need to be very concerned about what will happen to our education if nothing is done. What sort of teachers will be left? How can they teach and inspire our children if they are weighed down with extraneous crap and live in fear of their next lesson observation?

[Littlewhistle]

I'm glad I teach in Scotland. It's bad but nowhere near as bad as in England. Our main problem is the inclusion of children who need additional support but there's no money to provide it. I'm appalled that teachers are expected to still write lesson plans when they're off, That wouldn't happen here - HTs aren't even allowed to contact you if you're off sick.

[wentmadinthecountry]

You're quite right - it's the utter lack of trust and the relentless scrutiny that has made me so close to leaving. It isn't doing staff moral or children any good. I think it's harder for people who come from other industries/businesses because they see how pointless and demoralising our management system can be.

[teachingwasntforme]

"I think it's harder for people who come from other industries/businesses because they see how pointless and demoralising our management system can be."
I ws totally stunned by the way people behaved, the way I was spoken to by by mentor, the total lack of any support at all.
I also thought we in the NHS were poorly supported by our management but I take it all back! Of course there are things that are tedious but on a day to day basis and in the individual depts we work in we're generally pulling in the same direction, we not constantly scrutinising each other looking for areas off weakness, we look for excellence, we work together as team to build on existing knowledge and skills not knowing is not a crime and we all have the same objectives. No one wants to make the wrong decision when peoples lives are involved so we all pull together. My trust was rate inadequate by the CQC ((Ofsted equivalent) because our managers don't support us properly. Now there bending over backwards to support us! Im assuming this wouldn't happen in teaching.
I know I'm slightly idealising the NHS but the culture is generally different (God knows Ive worked everywhere so I know what I'm talking about). Im not sure why as its a massive crumbling organisation with ever increasing and unmeetable demands and expectaions, and of course there are sone rotten apples but generally most of are there for one thing; the patients which is why most staff are totally committed to it.

[misskatamari]

Yep, it's shit. I taught for ten years, and left after having kids as I just couldn't bear it anymore. It's a shame as I love actually teaching, but all of the joy had been sucked out. Endless over inflated targets to get the kids to meet, constant scrutiny, huge classes with super bright kids at one end of the spectrum and kids who could barely read at the other, no TAs as they made them all redundant, ridiculous curriculum and not enough time to actually teach it. Add onto that all the work you have to do planning and marking, and it is just too much.

[Flicketyflack]

I am a parent of primary aged children and I am amazed at the expectations and rudeness of some parents.

Parents who take joy in 'correcting ' teachers and telling everyone ( other parents).

Parents who go in to schools and expect special treatment for their little 'snowflakes'

Parents who go and see teachers after their kids have behaved badly and been told off who then go in and tell the teacher they should not correct their kids! How do they know if they were not in the school.

Unfortunately in my youngest child's class these type of parents are the norm not the minority. I cannot wait until my youngest moves on.

I feel sorry for teachers

[wentmadinthecountry]

Flickety, the parents are the least of my concerns. As a mum of 4, I understand where they are coming from and like to believe I have a good relationship with them.

It's the system. Children now have to be challenged at all times at everything. I may, as a professional, realise that a child in my class is trying as hard as they can and that if I criticise their work too much, they will become really negative and give up. Soas a professional, I praise them and maybe suggest one thing to work on next time. Not good enough - I am not challenging them.

Well, actually, I'm taking that child's home life and lack of self esteem on board and doing my very best to move him on. Making an informed choice about how to mark his book to get the best out of him.

Not good enough. Policy says I should give him more challenge. I am giving him challenge, just in a way I know he'll take. I absolutely promise I want to get the best out of my class. Just not at the expense of their self esteem or mental health.

It's all gone mad.