Teacher: I went home crying again today

[Elendel]

...because I got pulled up on using one wrong word (in context, and I am EAL) while a class of youngsters were able to use whatever tone and language they thought was fine with them at the time. I defended my stance, used one wrong word among many spoken in an effort to defuse the situation, and it was me who got pulled into a meeting over my language, not the kid who was in the wrong and ultimately defended by their peers through so many accusations.

Today I, an experienced teacher, am broken. I got told that I, as an adult, should have used a different way of approaching something the student instigated. I am unable to leave. But boy... I saw a car crash on the way home and for a split second I wished that had been me.

I am better now, I do not need help. But if you have children, teach them that other people - teachers - are human, too. Because I am held to such a high standard while displayed violence and verbal abuse are just everyday occurrences for me.

I was a teacher in a college where the students spat at me, threw chairs at me, insulted me and accused me of all manner of strange things. The principal sided with the students when they lied about me. So, I started recording the classes and sending the recordings to their parents by email. Together with a report of what went on in the class everyday. I got the emails from the parents at PTA meetings. I also sent the same reports and recordings to the principal, which totally disproved all the lies the students had told. I left that job with huge relief. If I was you I would record them on your phone but also ask if you can have a camera filming at the start of each lesson. If you are refused write a report after or during each lesson. I usually had a word document open and as each student arrived I would list down their names and behaviour throughout the class. Watch your back. You say you can't leave, why?

I know you don’t want to give up teaching for various reasons. If you don’t have a break - you will break then there’s no way back. Change jobs, perhaps sighting ‘family needs’ the reason this will be accepted by future employers. Meantime perhaps look at fostering or respite care via Social Services’ this makes good money. Also private tuition can be lucrative if you have a specialism eg dyslexia. Teaching skills are transferable and so needed. Think about your own health and needs. I had a fellow teacher who I found in the corridor in the fetal position crying. His class and fellow staff were challenging due to a pending OFSTED visit. He returned to teaching but his confidence was lost. Please don’t get to that position. I hope you have someone who can hug you.

I feel for you. I am a member of a union and they did sort out hell for me, long ago, and later provided a barrister when a school denied I had been hit by a child. Unions are good (though I don't much like mine esp its attitudes to phonics, knowledge rich curriculums and gender ideology) but if you are sure your association has the same back-up call it in NOW. Don't put up with such appalling situations any longer for you will not only be helping your situation but that of other teachers in the school.
I'd also suggest your colleagues get active in their unions.

Maybe the op isn’t an actual qualified teacher like in terms of having a pgce as it’s an eal classroom which might limit their chances if work in other schools. Some teachers teaching eal just have a tefl but obviously I could be totally wrong . I’m just wondering if that’s also the reluctance in moving schools or doubting they can. Apologies if I’m wrong

I can assure you I am qualified. I have just moved up the ranks a bit to the point where my role has become a little more difficult to find. I can find another teaching job at the click of a finger, but not my role, to which I am bound financially.

Well if you can find another job at ‘ the click of a finger’ then you’ve sorted this predicament. Much better than a ‘break down’ that could be a very long journey back if ever. Good luck in whatever you decide. As I read through the many responses, you have been given very many options. You have chosen not to have a union - this is what happens without union backing, but that’s your choice.

No it’s not callous on my part. You’re just projecting one news story, bypassing all the circumstances were Ofsted has been beneficial.

The chances of schools pushing you out after probationary period are v v slim in this era where schools are desperate for teachers especially good ones with a conscience like yourself

I understand having to wait for the mortgage renewal thing. I hope you get and secure the new mortgage offer. Once done look for a new job!! You deserve to be happy in your job role

This, definitely. Nothing will change at the school to improve your life. If this is the deal you are getting, leave.
Pack up, sell your place, work at Aldi, if you need to. Your life won't improve until you do.

Teaching is a dreadful job imo right now. Wife of teacher btw.
And I get that when it's goid, it's soooo good.

I have a TEFL qualification but I needed my PGCE (actually, I didn't for my degree qualified me, but I did it because it was sensible) to teach in a school. I'm trained to teach history. I daresay OP has similar qualifications. Teaching assistants now teach EAL and I completely disapprove. But then I disapprove of teaching assistants anyway, extra bodies in classrooms should always be another qualified teacher.

TAs are a godsend in a Primary classroom and for children with additional needs in Secondary. I would never have needed or wanted another teacher in with me. TAs doing a teacher's job is a different matter.

OP, triggering my absolute bottom. What a nonsense. I’m not surprised you feel
broken - unless you’re a teacher no one knows how much emotional strain you feel and the amount you put in. That’s why it’s so crippling when you get called in and treated just like another cog in the machine. Really
hope you find a better school in the new year.

How can you "disapprove" of TAs???

Why would any class have a need of two teachers? Surely it's hard enough to recruit a single teacher per class. What utter rubbish.

As an EAL teacher, I was the second teacher in the class whenever I went in to give support - both to students and to the class teacher (e.g. in lesson planning, resources etc). When the Home Office ran what was then Section XI they insisted that EAL teachers were trained as teachers and then trained to teach EAL. Only when the DfE took over were EAL teachers replaced with TAs. I object to TAs because they take the place of qualified teachers, are often used instead of a replacement teacher as a Cover Supervisor, and reduce the number of teaching jobs available. They also reduce the status of teachers, since unqualified people can 'teach' (frequently without the knowledge base needed for a subject) and also reduce the bargaining power of teachers' unions. Not ridiculous to object to them at all (though I have worked with many excellent TAs and greatly appreciated them - because I liked having a TA does not mean I have to approve of the dilution in the profession that they cause).

Clearly you don't know a lot about Ofsted!

I know enough about teachers and they’re not all angels.

You can hardly blame the TAs for that. They're just following instructions.

No profession is all angels.

Most aren’t role models or care givers to children either 🙄

I wasn't blaming TAs for the results of allowing them into classrooms. I blame unions for allowing unqualified teachers into schools (they are not even instructors, who used to help with science) and note that governments of all colours have used them as a way of getting round the problem of teacher recruitment, which is mainly caused by the horrendous demands of a job which involves working with children who have no notion of discipline, are thrown excuses for bad behaviour and whose parents frequently do not support the school.

@Grammarnut that's not the fault of the TAs it's the way they are being used. It's not fair on them to be asked to do a teacher's job for TA pay but well used they are pretty essential in today's classroom. Certainly in primary which is what I know.

I doubt Ofsted would spot the sort of thing you seem to be concerned about. They are more interested in paperwork and targets and don't observe every teacher in action.

Maybe not but they check patterns of complaints towards teachers, not just physical abuse but mental and emotional too. Everybody should be held accountable from superiors, just look at what has been going on in the police force for example.

You've obviously got a bee in your bonnet about a particular situation and are applying it to all teachers everywhere.