Any secondary English teachers around?

[Pretendbookworm]

I’ve just finished studying at university for an English Literature degree. Ive been studying part-time for 6 years while working as a carer for the elderly, the dream has always to be an English teacher. I had some amazing teachers when I was at school. I was a really lonely child with mentally ill parents. Books and a passion for reading and then talking/debating about them really helped me get through some tough times. I would love to see that light bulb moment myself, to have lively discussions with pupils about the texts and get a debate going. Tbh I just love to talk about books and wider meanings behind them. I would love to help encourage other pupils to find a love of books.

But....

Oh my god in the news every week. Teachers quitting. No work/life balance. It’s scaring me off. Is it really that bad? Does it get easier at all? Should I run for the hills? My problem is I have spent a year looking at other options, going for interviews etc and no one will have me as I only have experience working in care. So I’ve decided that despite the negative press I will follow my dream. Am I making a big mistake?

Back to OP, working in care is useful experience for hard work and dealing with people who have a different agenda to you.

I'm a former teacher, left a few years ago when the death by data culture and new exam specs were being established. In 3 years, my last school went from being a happy place where you could get on with teaching and a long term stable staff to one where an academy trust took over, the first year being managable, the second year where the boot really came in on constant monitoring and back covering. I got to the point where I found myself resenting teaching a class because it was in the way of tackling the rest of my to do list. Totally the wrong way around.

My subject was different, but was assessed by essay writing which is hard for marking. It was one of favoured by Gove which meant lots of reluctant, disinterested students being shoved in at GCSE at the cost of the ones who actively chose it as in the past.

I loved teaching. I loved the young people; I still do a lot of youth work, but the workload drove me out because my DCs derserved to have parents that weren't working 100+ hours per week between them. I left before I was too driven down and could return when my DCs are older if the culture changes, and at some point in a few years politicians must surely face the fact that the current system is crumbling.

It’s true that a lot of the job is teaching to the exams, but you will get to share your passion for literature. Reading your OP reminded me of this card (pic) that a student gave me at the end of her A-levels a couple of years ago (I keep all of the cards and dig them out at the end of a particularly rubbish day to remind myself why I keep slogging in...).

I teach another subject at secondary. English teachers have a lot of marking but in general I would say give it a go. What do you have to lose? Get your qts and nqt and try and find a good, supportive school. You can diversify a bit later, FE college, special needs, middle school etc. Having qts while increase your earning power and who knows, you might love it. I adore teaching and wouldn't do anything else despite the tricky bits.

Sorry I’ve disappeared for a while, been busy.

Thank you all for your encouragement (mostly) as I’m ‘only’ working as a carer I feel this is my best chance of a professional career with beyond minimum wage earning power that I might enjoy. So I am carrying on with my application. FourEyes thank you for sharing that card that’s really cool!

I know it’ll be teaching to exam, but I feel if I already love books/plays etc at least I am starting from a place where I enjoy it just a little bit. As it stands with my current role I have really good shifts and work/life balance... but I’m bored, I really hate being at work, I have to work nights which are tiring... and if I don’t try something else now I never will. It’s scary but I’ve got to try.

Dear Madam ,
I’m interesting to teach my daughter English
My email is [email protected]
With many thanks
Houda

Yes it's that bad and your dream of inspiring children and discussing literature isn't going to happen. Most lessons are behaviour management, you won't ever sit there having the chats you envisage sorry. You'll have a load of teenagers who don't want to be there, are mostly not interested, and more paperwork than you can ever get through.

This:

"I would love to see that light bulb moment myself, to have lively discussions with pupils about the texts and get a debate going. Tbh I just love to talk about books and wider meanings behind them. I would love to help encourage other pupils to find a love of books" ... Is not the job