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Original poster

I'm done

29 replies

Stepoffthecarousel · 10/06/2020 12:43

I'm a teacher and I honestly feel done. I am tired of the school opening debate. We haven't been closed. We want all children back but space and logistics prevent this as does government guidance. Teachers don't have any choice in this. It's down to the government, unions, school leadership teams and governors. I have no choice in this. I have never felt so low and last night I had seriously negative thoughts about not wanting to be around any more (I would not act on this but I've never felt worse).

People forget that if we had locked down 2-3 weeks sooner the numbers of cases and deaths would extremely low and then opening schools would be an entirely different situation and would be much more easily done. Same goes for if track and trace and PPE had been properly dealt with. This is a government issue not an issue for teachers. The majority of teachers are just normal people like me who love our kids and just want the best for them. We don't always get things right but we try.

I just want this to stop. I'm bone tired and mentally exhausted from this debate. There has been little to no vitriol of other professions in the same way as teaching.

I don't want respect, I don't want a bloody medal for doing a job I'm paid for. I just want to do my job with far less criticism, scrutiny and judgement than we continually get and which has got so much worse recently.

I feel awful the kids who are missing education time. I'm doing my best to support with home learning but it's not the same as children being in school (through nobody's fault).

I don't want people to reply to this as I honestly don't want the debate to continue. I just needed to get it off my chest.

OP posts:
mbosnz · 10/06/2020 12:54

I'm going to reply, but only to say - I hear you.

OrangeGinLemonFanta · 10/06/2020 12:58

There has been little to no vitriol of other professions in the same way as teaching. You obviously haven't noticed anything about police officers the last couple of weeks or so...

Go have a nice cuppa and have a week off social media, you'll feel better for it.

Runnerduck34 · 10/06/2020 12:58

Its not your fault, all of this is beyond your control. All you can do is muddle through and do the best you can. Turn off the news/ social media and concentrate on your own well being, can you talk to anyone in RL about how you are feeling? Just be kind to yourself

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General education
RandomMess · 10/06/2020 13:00

I hear you too and I'm not a teacher. The politicians really screwed the whole thing up and not an apology or admission in sight, just more and more lies AngrySad

HUCKMUCK · 10/06/2020 13:00

I hear you too. I am not a teacher but I am a parent and I am extremely grateful for the education that has been provided to my child during this really difficult time.

I suspect it's always been this way but I am getting really sick of 'everyone' thinking they are experts about everything and have to spew their opinions all over social media.

There is so much careless language used. Assumptions, half truths and just plain goading.

I trust that my child's school will do whatever they can in the safest way possible with the resources they have.

I am flummoxed as to why the world is so intent on teacher bashing.

I'm sorry you are subjected to it and thank you for all you do Flowers

Berryofstraw · 10/06/2020 13:01

I'm also a teacher so I completely understand your feelings. My year 1s are back in next week and I feel sick for them having to sit at single tables for 5 hours of the day. Please be kind to yourself. If you need someone to talk to please feel free to PM me.

Original poster
Stepoffthecarousel · 10/06/2020 13:52

Thank you everybody. I really appreciate your thoughts.

OP posts:
mbosnz · 10/06/2020 13:56

I'm not a teacher, but I really do understand why you're feeling the way you do. It must feel like you're copping it from all sides, and very much being used as a scapegoat by Government, and a political football.

As a parent, I want you to know that there are many, many of us, that have some small understanding of how hard your job is at the best of times (not least because of some of the bloody parents), and can only imagine how hard it must be in what we can only hope is the worst of times! I value, honour, and respect the work teachers are doing, trying to keep the wheels on our children's education, when they're dealing with the same nightmare that is currently our lives right now.

Please take care of yourself. Aroha nui (much love), and kia kaha (keep strong).

Perro · 10/06/2020 14:01

I hear you, too x

Original poster
Stepoffthecarousel · 10/06/2020 19:57

Thank you.

OP posts:
FuckThisWind · 10/06/2020 20:05

So sorry you are feeling like this. I've just emailed our headteacher to say I am so impressed and supportive of everything she and her staff have done. Granted I only have one child. But I'm a single parent and I also care for my Mum who has cancer.

However... the school work she has been set on Purple Mash and the supportive comments she has had in return have been nothing short of life saving. Again, I'm so sorry you feel done. I can only just begin to understand. But it has made me want to support my school and all teachers.

It is an impossible situation. But I want you to know that I fully appreciate what you do. And thank you so much. Don't give up.

Huge hugs x

Alittleodd · 10/06/2020 20:11

Ex classroom teacher, current "education professional" (I have no better term for the hodgepodge of things I do with my time) and wanted to add my thoughts to the pile.

I'm choosing to view those shouting about school closures like year 11 kicking off about the dress code: there's huge uncertainty looming about their futures, they feel pressurised and scared and overwhelmed and they've latched on to one thing they think they can influence like a raft in a storm.

It helps with the internal screaming at any rate.

mineofuselessinformation · 10/06/2020 20:13

OP, I totally get you. Not going to say any more, except I was just less than polite on yet another teacher-bashing thread. Not my most glorious moment but I felt better for it.
Daffodil

Flinstones · 10/06/2020 20:17

I do not blame the teachers at all I totally blame the government. I don't think the unions are helping the cause at the moment I think it's become a political battle between them & the government, our children have been forgotten in all this but not by there teachers. 9 million children at home 9 million children with no voice. WE HAVE TO BE THERE VOICE

FuckThisWind · 10/06/2020 20:23

@mineofuselessinformation if I see that thread, I will fully support you. And I don't care if I am less than polite as I feel very strongly about it. So much so, I've enrolled on a TA course (my previous career is in tatters) but I just want to show solidarity. In a worldwide pandemic, whereby we are all trying to find our feet why the hell do some people choose to take it out on teachers? It baffles me!

mogloveseggs · 10/06/2020 20:26

FlowersWineCakeBrew it must be soul destroying to read some of the comments that are made on social media.
Ds' school have been excellent. I have no complaints whatsoever.

mineofuselessinformation · 10/06/2020 20:48

OP, there really should be a hug emoji on here! I'd send it to you. Smile

Weekday28 · 10/06/2020 20:53

I just want to say as a family of key workers whose 3 children have had to go to school - Thank you.

Truly thank you its been a tough few months

wildthingsinthenight · 10/06/2020 20:55

Totally understand OP Flowers

JimLaheysWhiskeyBottle · 10/06/2020 21:00

Just wanted to post some solidarity. I'm a year 2 teacher (not in uk) and we have been back in school after lockdown since end of April.

It has been done slowly and carefully, but every 2 weeks we've had more changes. Students have been fine, parents a little nervous and staff very vigilant, but it's been ok. Apart from very very sore hands.
I worked from 0830 until 3 every day during digital home learning, children had to register with us every morning (Just as in school) and were chased up if we didn't hear from them.
We used a fantastic online learning platform and I would have live chat groups, one on one sessions and each input was recorded for maths and English every day. It was almost a form of professional development, I learnt so much!
I'm glad I'm not stuck with all of the negativity in the UK, I left 10 years ago and you couldn't pay me a million to go back.
If you want any advice on what to expect with the new infection control measures in the classroom, I'd be happy to give you my experiences.

BatSegundo · 10/06/2020 21:31

I hear you OP and I am so sorry you have been left feeling like this.

Fear and anger sit closely together. And people are full of fear for their livelihoods, their children's well-being and their family's future. For the most part, the anger towards schools is anger at a situation beyond their control. It's not ok and you shouldn't have to put up with it. But please try not to take it personally and remember that the most vocal do not necessarily represent the majority view.

It is also very much in the interests of the government to put the blame with teachers and unions. I imagine that some voices on social media and in the press are trying to steer the public in that direction.

CoffeeRevelLove · 10/06/2020 22:06

We're a key worker family and I'm amazed by what has been given to support us. Anyone who questions teachers in this way needs to be sent the guidance. Your hands are tied

KeepWashingThoseHands · 10/06/2020 22:36

I am frustrated by the situation but comment on every thread I post that this is a govt issue and nothing to do with teachers.

My DCs teacher and school is ace Smile

Must be hard but just ignore the comments, you know what MN is like (!), it annoys me and I'm not even a teacher.

Original poster
Stepoffthecarousel · 11/06/2020 16:40

Thank you.

OP posts:
formerbabe · 11/06/2020 16:45

I'm grateful to my dcs teachers for setting work and keeping in contact but I'm afraid this phrase

We haven't been closed

feels a bit irrelevant from a parents point of view.

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