Do you appreciate teachers more, or less now than in normal times?

[Bluewavescrashing]

Genuine question. I'm a full time infant school teacher. Our school is offering more than most in terms of online education, personalised learning, 1:1 zoom sessions etc. But I wonder how parents feel. Has lockdown showed you how much teachers give to your children through planning lessons, making resources, delivering lessons to cater for all levels of attainment? Do you find it easy to teach your child? When lockdown ends would you carry on with home learning and deregister as they have made more progress 1:1 with you or are you looking forward to sending them back to school?

Nb I have a large group of key worker children, up to 25 each day whom I teach in person in school - this is aimed at parents accessing home learning rather than key worker / vulnerable provision in school.

[FreakinFrankNFurter]

My point about the last lockdown is that I wasn’t very appreciative of the school/teachers at the school last lockdown because what they were doing was crap.

So I’m appreciate when it’s deserved.

[FreakinFrankNFurter]

My appreciation for teachers is probably the same as it was before. If they are good then I appreciate them. My DS is now year 3 and has had some good teachers who he loves.

I’ve raised concerns a couple of times over the years and they’ve been dealt with well, very much school and us working together.

The school has stepped up in its provision this lockdown and it is doing recorded lessons. They are a bit boring but ok (not just my view but that of my primary teacher sister as well). They’ve started this week doing daily zoom get togethers which is fantastic and loads of the pupils are joining this.
Reasonably happy with the provision and attempts to engage the pupils now.

The school provision in first lockdown was shit and stayed shit throughout the 4 months DS was out of school. Polite suggestion (and it was polite not demanding) to the HT for them to maybe do some of the things mentioned above was met with a defensive refusal and denial of their benefit. Again not just my view but that of my primary teacher sister who read it as well (She is always a good sounding board for when I should raise a concern or make a suggestion to school and when I’m being a bit precious about my PFB )

[FreakinFrankNFurter]

I've not heard any teachers say they have it harder than others. I've heard teachers say they are struggling and be reminded by others that many others have it harder than them which wasn't what they were saying anyway.

You didn’t read the op’s posts then? The one where she said that in any other sector people would have 3 days training for zoom along with a cushy lunch?

So no, teachers may not explicitly say their job is harder than anyone else’s, but it is quite clearly implied in some statements they make

[listerclocks]

@PotDaffodil

I'd agree TAs are coming out of this well.

In what way?

[Bedsheets4knickers]

Our school has been truly amazing. Very well structured day , daily zoom calls for each child . The only problem is I don't understand the work it's a world away from what i was taught. My sons maths 😫 , he's only 10 . I just don't get it .
I feel for all involved right now , it's a complete shit show .

[FrippEnos]

foxhat

Try not to selectively quote then insult. it just puts across the real you.

[BungleandGeorge]

I’m sure it’s not the intention but hearing of teachers teaching entire days of live lessons, providing differentiated work and 1 to 1s, phone calls and recording hours worth of material whilst also teaching in school makes me wonder why ours aren’t doing any of that. Probably wouldn’t have questioned it otherwise.
Perhaps it depends on area but our primary school teachers get a lot of praise on social media, verbally from parents, huge amount of gifts and cards and drawings from the children every Christmas and end of the year. Nobody has ever bought me a gift (and believe me I’ve gone above and beyond for some in my own time) I’ve probably had a handful of written thank yous in my entire career. Surely that must give you a warm glow and a sense of being appreciated)?

[PotDaffodil]

I'd agree TAs are coming out of this well.

[foxhat]

Possibly because they have all had measures put in place that allow them to be safer than they would have been if they had carried on as normal.

That's quite significantly detached from reality.

[iveturnedintoachip]

I'm not sure anyone had 3 days training on Zoom!

[iveturnedintoachip]

I don’t appreciate teachers any less but I have little appreciation for the education system. Covid-19 home schooling made me realise how little my children were learning at school and how narrow and dull the National curriculum is. Children ae not taught to be critical thinkers

I feel similar all the Ofsted hoops & the concentration of subjects so early on is not great.
Feel same about teachers as did pre covid.
DoE pretty shit though.

[CallmeAngelina]

@ichundich

[I have been on MN a long time, and I can say with some certainty that no teacher is dumb enough to kick off with a whinge about how hard they have it. That'd be just asking for a kicking...]
Isn't that exactly what the OP has done?

Well, I confess I name-searched her just to check she wasn't a "new" poster.
But in fairness, she didn't actually whinge. It was posed as a genuine question, but nonetheless it was bound to go tits up.

[zigzog44]

I’ve always appreciated teachers and what they do. The only thing I’ve noticed since homeschooling is that my DS really struggles with reading comprehension, at school he was often kept behind during break because he wasn’t producing a sufficient amount of English work, (Maths he has no problem.) I have been breaking questions down for him, helping him to understand what is being asked and as a result he’s gained more confidence in reading comprehension and is working at a much more faster pace. His teacher said it wasn’t his strongest subject and that he didn’t put enough effort into that particular subject, now I know how to deal with his struggles his progress is pretty remarkable, I do feel that this should have been investigated more at school and feel that he must have always struggled and know when he returns to school, he won’t have the same support he receives from me at home. I know how tough it is for teachers with classes of 30 students, so know it’s not always easy to offer extra support but I now wonder how many children get left behind, when all they need is a different approach.

[listsandbudgets]

Frankly - right now if DS's teacher decided to move in to the spare room, leave dirty plates all over his bedroom, refuse to pay a thing towards rent or bills, leave washing strewn throughout the house played loud music all night and hogged all the hot water...

I'd cry with relief just as long as he could use whatever magic he weaves to make DS sit in his seat and do his work. I don't even mind helping DS with the actual work.. just as long as the magic is weaved.

(Disclaimer - DS's teacher strikes me as a lovely man who would never do any of the things listed above)

[ichundich]

[I have been on MN a long time, and I can say with some certainty that no teacher is dumb enough to kick off with a whinge about how hard they have it. That'd be just asking for a kicking...]
Isn't that exactly what the OP has done?

[ItsIgginningtolooklikelockdown]

Those who could work from home were expected to work from home. Cleaners can't work from home. If keyworker children were to be in school, cleaning was essential. The school cleaners I see work alone anyway which is fairly safe.

[FrippEnos]

@quarentini

So it's ok for the support staff, cleaners ect but not teachers?
Not being goody. It's a genuine question.
Why is it acceptable for them ?

You would have to ask your school.

During the first lockdown all teachers and support staff were on a rota for the school where I work (and all schools in the local area).

And all teachers in my school teachers are currently teaching a full live timetable, as wanted by many posters on here.

So if teachers are teaching who is going to look after the KW pupils.

Its not rocket science and you can't have it both ways.

[quarentini]

So it's ok for the support staff, cleaners ect but not teachers?
Not being goody. It's a genuine question.
Why is it acceptable for them ?

[FrippEnos]

quarentini
I will get flamed but here goes!
Care workers , doctors,nurses ect all adapted pretty quickly to the pandemic without much fuss or complaining.

Possibly because they have all had measures put in place that allow them to be safer than they would have been if they had carried on as normal.

But apparently pointing out that teachers didn't get this and only have any measures in place because they fought for them is complaining.

Go figure.

[FrippEnos]

@CallmeAngelina

I think a fair few teachers here on MN inwardly cringed when they read the OP, thinking, "Noooooooo!"

Pretty much knew how it was going to go :)

[ItsIgginningtolooklikelockdown]

My GP adapted to the pandemic by doing mostly phone appointments. My dentist shut, not open yet for routine check ups. My physio went online.
If I spent all my time moaning when would I have time to write online lessons and mark all your dcs' work, as well as all the usual paperwork? and gin drinking in the garden in my hot tub while waiting for my banana bread to bake

[quarentini]

The teachers at my local school have literally complained about everything!
They are not even in the building anymore.
The support staff are in looking after key workers children and the teachers are wfh.
During the first lockdown they never came in but the TA s and support staff did!

[sherrystrull]

@quarentini

I will get flamed but here goes!
Care workers , doctors,nurses ect all adapted pretty quickly to the pandemic without much fuss or complaining.
The teachers at the local school on the other hand didn't:haven't. And have literally done nothing but complain.
So my respect has gone down .

What complaints have they had? Wanting to make the school safer?

[quarentini]

I will get flamed but here goes!
Care workers , doctors,nurses ect all adapted pretty quickly to the pandemic without much fuss or complaining.
The teachers at the local school on the other hand didn't:haven't. And have literally done nothing but complain.
So my respect has gone down .

[justaweeone]

It's takes more than just 'teachers' to make a school! Sorry to moan. It would be great if all school staff were recognised!
A bit like the NHS for example, it's not just doctors and nurses.