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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder why someone would want to be a secondary school teacher?

110 replies

Teateet · 10/09/2024 21:47

Not judging anyone, despite the tittle, but I was wondering why people remain secondary school teachers.
Just finished an opening evening at a secondary school for prospective students and I left with the following thought: unless you adore teaching and view it as absolute vocation, being a secondary school teacher sucks.

The pay isn't fantastic, and very poor in London, for a graduate.
There is very little room to coast if you're have a rough day / week.
Breaks a prescribed, you cannot have a coffee / tea break when you feel like it
Dealing with teenagers, who have their own angst.
Dealing with abuse from students and parents.

I noticed that there alot of teachers 45 + and not much below.
i am assuming, the older ones got to the property ladder and are pretty secure financially.

It just seems like a tough gig.

OP posts:
Renamedyetagain · 10/09/2024 21:55

Yep, all true. I'm a secondary teacher btw. And am lucky enough to afford to go part time. Daily, it is exhausting, relentless, draining, demanding and thankless.

However, I love the kids. Their energy, humour, enthusiasm and sarcasm lift me even when I'm having a shit day.

And getting an email from a parent saying I've been a lifeline for their child during GCSEs or getting an excited message from a sixth former who has left telling me that I helped her get the grade she wanted are the reasons I do the job I do.

But I couldn't stay full time. I think it might finish me off. The angst and stress of the kids gets to me at times..and I'm lucky in that I don't have to worry about behaviour..it's a good school.

I've been in a school with dreadful behaviour and shit SLT and it put me on anti depressants.

Motheranddaughter · 10/09/2024 21:54

Holidays ,pay pension
Not necessarily in that order
All the secondary teachers I know complain all the time but never seem to think of getting another job

Original poster
Teateet · 10/09/2024 21:54

KidneyWarrior · 10/09/2024 21:52

You just get stuck in a pension trap at some point so may as well try to stick it out. It's pretty dire now though - I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. And I used to love it.

What sort of pension do teachers get and when can they retire?

OP posts:
Original poster
Teateet · 10/09/2024 21:53

Doingtheboxerbeat · 10/09/2024 21:50

I couldn't think of anything more terrifying to do for a living except maybe armed forces, front line emergency services or baby care unit 🥺.

I understand

OP posts:
GoingMadder · 10/09/2024 21:52

I'd have to take a big pay cut to do anything else.

MrsHamlet · 10/09/2024 21:52

I love it but it's not a vocation.

People use that term to make us seem like money grabbers when we expect decent pay and conditions.

KidneyWarrior · 10/09/2024 21:52

You just get stuck in a pension trap at some point so may as well try to stick it out. It's pretty dire now though - I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. And I used to love it.

MultiplaLight · 10/09/2024 21:51

It is a tough gig.

But the majority of kids are great. Parents too.

I enjoy helping kids learn stuff.

The holidays are fantastic.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 10/09/2024 21:50

I couldn't think of anything more terrifying to do for a living except maybe armed forces, front line emergency services or baby care unit 🥺.

FuzzyWuzzyWuzABear · 10/09/2024 21:50

It's a bit of a weird question really because you could ask the same of absolutely anyone in any job.

My worst nightmare would be working in a cafe or restaurant kitchen, but my brother loves it.

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