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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want to teach because it would mean working with other teachers?

250 replies

cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 08:56

Ok, my hard hat is on and I'm ready for the onslaught, but here goes! I had a great career before my DCs came along, I loved working and was good at my job. I worked in a great environment, had really good people working with me and we all got on in and out of work. Fast forward 4 years I have been and will be for the forseeable future a SAHM, I love it and will stay home until my lo goes to school at least. Afterwards I could stay home if I want to but lately I have been thinking about future careers. I wouldn't want to go back to my old role as I would never see my kids! So here's my problem, lots of people have suggested teaching and I would love to make a difference to kids, I think I have a lot to give and I am willing to put in the hard work, but there is one big problem, other teachers! First I should say my DH is a Deputy Head and I have lots of good friends who are teachers and when I tell them my worries they tend to agree! My oh worked abroad so we were in close quarters with the school and I have done voluntary work in a few schools and I have never come across such moaning, b&tchy people in any other setting. On their own all lovely people, get two together it's a nightmare. Seriously teachers talk about work on nights out, at people's parties, in the park, probably bed if they are married. My OH wouldn't but knows not to on pain of death! I know teachers take the p out of kids, parents and anyone else they feel like. Most have never worked out of a school setting so have no idea what the rest of the world are up to. So AIBU to not want to teach because I don't like teachers or should I bite the bullet and hide in the loos at lunchtime?

OP posts:
notnowImreading · 01/10/2011 10:34

Grin at tethersend - we are too!

Seriously, though, in my school, teachers slag off kids, parents, senior management, Ofsted, each other regularly in the staffroom, but we'd still walk through fire to help the kids get a decent education and a better life.

The other day, one of my colleagues was reduced to incoherent sobs by the behaviour and comments of a particularly vitriolic teenager (and she's a brilliant teacher, one of the most patient, consistent, tolerant ones I've come across, known for her good relationships with pupils). She was saying 'I hate her, I can't do this, I don't ever want to see her again.' The next day, she spent two hours with the same girl in her own time, helping her sort out problems at home, supporting her with her work and generally picking her up and dusting her off.

The moral of that story is that judging people by their light-hearted (or desperate) comments made in the company of adults is going to lead you astray. Look at what teachers actually do on a day to day basis and you will see that we do give something back every bloody day.

motherinferior · 01/10/2011 10:40

In all honesty, I think most people who are quite involved in their work can get together with colleagues and talk about it in a manner which is arse-clenchingly boring for other people. If you're not that interested in it, go and find another area of work to focus on. When you see the eyes of your loved ones glaze over, you'll know you've hit the right spot for you.

lesley33 · 01/10/2011 11:16

I think you have a point. I find that teachers who have never done any other job do tend to have a blinkered view about what other jobs are like. For example, every teacher I have ever met/worked with moans about the hours they work. Lots of other people work long hours un paid and are not better paid, but don't moan about it. Its accepted its part of the job.

If you want to work in a school setting I think you have 2 choices. First find a school where teachers have had wider experience of other jobs. They are rare, but do exist. I worked in a school where the head tried to recruit only teachers who had worked outside teaching as well.

Secondly there are people who work in schools but aren't ordinary teachers and are employed by another organisation. For example, charities who run particular programmes in a number of schools - often workingw ith the mostchallenging kids. But sometimes it is around a particular theme such as environmental education.

Although you work in a school, you will also mix with staff from the charity, who ime tend to be more positive people.

Also don't socialise with people at work much. Otherwise wherever you work you will talk about work. Thats because its what you have in common.

Fiderer · 01/10/2011 11:24

I have a colleague who's brusque and rude and avoided by most of the staff. He started an after-school maths club and I have children coming to me every week telling me how much they love it and how it's helped them in Maths. It's taught me that I'd rather have a shite colleague who's good for the children than the other way round.

Fiderer · 01/10/2011 11:27

By which I mean, if you're more concerned about the teachers as your colleagues, find something else to do.

Greensleeves · 01/10/2011 11:27

a short but powerful post from Fiderer

I have found that a lot of teachers who are really poor at interacting with parents and colleagues are actually gifted at interacting with children. And if you are going to be shit at one or the other...

OP you sound like a whinging adolescent. With your attitude you wouldn't have a hope in hell of surviving the PGCE never mind teaching.

worraliberty · 01/10/2011 11:28

Become an English teacher and learn about paragraphs while you're at it.....

Andrewofgg · 01/10/2011 12:00

One of the joys of AIBU is to read women (I assume) saying things which are dead right but I would hardly dare even think. Thank you hullygully and motherinferior :o

Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 12:06

Tbh most men would pay me to keep my clothes on.

No paragraphs because I was on my phone, sorry.

OP posts:
startwig1982 · 01/10/2011 12:15

I really think teaching is not for you.

NorfolkNChance · 01/10/2011 12:29

If you get a lot of people who work in one profession together of course they will talk about work. DH is in IT admin and his colleagues are the same but do I start moaning about them only talking about servers etc? No because I can see why they do, they are dedicated professionals like most other workers.

I find it sad that your DH can't talk to you about his day either, DH and I might not fully understand the ins and outs of what the other person is talking about but we still chat about our work to each other, he gas a pretty good understanding of the education system and even asks questions about things that crop up in EE on Thursdays for example

Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 12:35

Of course he can talk about work to me and does every day. What I was getting at was that he doesn't talk about it all the time, when we are out etc

OP posts:
GobbyCah · 01/10/2011 12:41

You make really stupid generalisations, which make you sound a bit thick.

I don't think teaching is for you.

motherinferior · 01/10/2011 12:42

Strangely enough, I expect his colleagues don't talk about it all the time to their partners either. Actually I don't particularly talk about my job to my partner. I do talk about work to my colleagues.

Feenie · 01/10/2011 12:49

You're an idiot. Hth.

Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 12:51

I sound a bit thick? Very mature. I have a very good degree from a redbrick university, many other qualifications and had a very intense career prior to having kids. I have many faults, but I'm certainly not thick.

In fact being of lower intelligence isn't a fault anyway. Sheesh and I'm being called judgemental!

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 12:53

Oh shit Feenie I hadn't noticed. Now I realise where I have been going wrong all my life.

OP posts:
Feenie · 01/10/2011 12:54

It's okay, there's still time to apologise to the thread and all your teacher friends for being an arse. Grin

Greensleeves · 01/10/2011 12:56

good degree not withstanding (and there are LOADS of thick people at Oxford, btw)

you haven't covered yourself in glory here in terms of your social and emotional literacy

I keep seeing your thread title and wincing - it is really crass

And.... being of lower intelligence would be a disadvantage, as a teacher!

Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 12:58

It's ok I think I have found my perfect career...ofsted inspector, then I cam take revenge on all teachers and they can hate me. Everyone will be happy then.

Tounge firmly in cheek!

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 12:58

Tongue

OP posts:
motherinferior · 01/10/2011 13:00

To be honest, dearie, I think perhaps you should steer entirely clear of the education system. Speaking as someone with school-aged children.

Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 13:00

I'm not looking to cover myself in glory. I would say that you haven't covered yourself in glory name calling. Are you a teacher by any chance?

OP posts:
Original poster
cakeoclock · 01/10/2011 13:03

Motherinferior why? Would my doubts make me a bad teacher? No. Thinking fully about a demanding role before taking it on from all aspects is surely wise?

OP posts:
Greensleeves · 01/10/2011 13:03

I'm a trainee teacher

and it's bloody hard work - and you have to be able to work collaboratively with just about anyone, and it does take over your life.

with your attitude - forget it. IMO.