If you are a Teacher......

[LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife]

Do you think you are a good one?

You know if you are by the constant observations, feedback, book looks, CPD etc etc.

Do you think you are good?

Some days, yes. Other days, I feel like I've no idea what I'm doing.

On the whole, yes. I'm not perfect but I contribute positively to pupils' learning and lives. I know my subject well and can explain it clearly. It's a niche, old fashioned subject, in some people's view, but I also show how it continues to be relevant and make it interesting. Pupils are on board and see the benefits even if they find it complex. I keep up with marking books and giving feedback. I am considerate of pupils' feelings, try to defend, even champion the underdogs, and maintain good order in the classroom. As a colleague, I turn up on time for duties and hoe my row.

I've been a teacher a long time. I'm a great teacher. However I'm still learning and improving and developing every day. I'm constantly reflecting on my practice and know I fall short many days. Especially in the current climate of awful funding, lack of support and huge class size.

Yes

Not really. It's complicated. People tell me I'm a great teacher. I know how to teach and get results, I have good relationships with my students. However, the constant barrage of expectation be doing x, y, z in every lesson whilst catering for 6 different adaptive learning strategies, whilst remembering another 200 things, to be ready for the next learning walk, to deal with whatever comes your way that day all, to organise the trips, to deal with the parents all without enough time to do it and a family to raise (along with all of the increasing demands from their own schools) means I feel like a shit teacher most of the time.

After 25 years, yes I do. I'm primary in Scotland.

I know my subject backwards, I care about my students, I want to give them the best education I possibly can. I think I'm bloody good at what I do, yes. Doesn't stop me doubting myself, crying after a particularly shit lesson or interaction with someone or some people thinking otherwise.

Why the question?

Why? Because sometimes it does someone good to actually say they are good at what they do.