Teachers exploiting a position AIBU?

[Ackvavit]

Just been to lunch with group of people I've worked with on and off over many years. We all have varying degrees of friendship but generally have always got along well and socialised over the years. I've got in my car and am quite annoyed at the attitude of 2 of the group and disappointed at others for thinking their attitude is funny. We all work in education, all different places. 2 people concerned, one is Headteacher in small school, other is part of management. Head teacher isn't too bad as seems to be doing an ok job, but by her own admission can't quite believe she got the job. The other was working at another school on a part time basis but financially needed more hours due to personal circumstances changing. She sat there today and admitted she "got the job" because her friend was the Head and has manipulated her position into only now teaching a couple of days a week but presenting to the governors the need for a literacy co ordinator. I'm not disagreeing that this is probably a role the school needs but the lunchtime chat was all very " ha ha idiot governors walked right into this plan", it's a cushy number, I've even blagged my own office, the kids we get are from such transient backgrounds that teaching them the alphabet makes us seem amazing". I'm annoyed because I work in the same field and am absolutely passionate about my role, to the point if I had too I would do it for free. All these 2 discussed was salaries, management points and how little teaching they could get away with before they could take their pensions. No mention of teaching being something they felt could help pupils. Just greed and laziness really. I feel sad that they found it funny and were mocking me for explaining initiatives we are doing to enrich our students lives, in our own time. AIBU to feel I am not wrong that many many NQTs are passionate about teaching and these two are milking the system coasting until they take their pensions?. Sorry this is long! I don't think I'll bother with the next get together. Quite embarrassed they think it is ok. They are no better than benefit scroungers, taking money they don't deserve.

Surely that's like saying a vet doesn't like animals??

Good comparison. Vets tend to like animals and yet don't work for free either, and also demand a work-life balance, the bastards!

Verbena I do think you are being a bit naive to think that the money, holidays and job security aren't a huge draw for many teachers. I'm not a teacher, but have plenty of friends who are. Some are passionate about it and some are mainly interested in climbing the ladder. Just like some doctors, nurses, vets, police and other 'caring' professionals which are somehow supposed to have an aversion to doing a job for the money that most of the rest of us take for granted.

Oh, and ALL of the teachers I know said the long holidays were a HUGE incentive, even though they spend a lot of the time working, preparing etc. The ability to travel for weeks at a time, or when you have your own kids, to not worry about holiday childcare, is something most of us in other professions would love to have.

Its not really like saying a vet doesn't like animals. It's more like saying not all vets adore disimpacting blocked anal glands, and being shocked that they wouldn't do it for nothing.

Ok...my point was more about the social skills of these people in a public place, where they could be overheard, being arrogant and blasé about "milking the system". They had also watched a program about a woman on benefits and had strong opinions on her "milking the system". I'm not keen on seeing a load of bankers out in a bar braying etc, or any other person in a position of responsibility. I GET that people need to earn a living, I understand some people are wired to moan about their jobs, I also get that some people only care about status, money and career progression. To make my point again, whilst they are entitled to free speech they came across as badly, slightly cringeworthy and arrogant in that they seem to think they've hit the jackpot. Sorry if I came across wrongly

I'd far rather have someone competent but pragmatic teaching my kids (most of the time, anyway; will make an exception for the fairly wet Spanish teacher who is an enthusiastic organiser of exchange trips).

I'm good at my job, go beyond what's expected some of the time, but I still mainly do it for the money and the travel. Do it for love and you'll end up getting exploited.

I think the only question here is whether there was unethical behaviour involved esp wrt recruitment practices. I'd get in a lot more trouble at work for breaking the ethics policy than for being a bit shit at my job.

Oh I don't disagree that the holidays, money and security aren't a draw....just that I'd hope that my childrens's teachers actually liked children.
Yes, not sure vet analogy was what I meant

I've met Drs who like the science and biology, but don't seem that interested in people...

I've met teachers who love teaching, but are not bothered my children (in that the like them as people, but have no interest in doing anything child related outside work).

Many parents talk about only liking their own children...

Doesn't mean they are bad at what they do.

As long as they are good and competent, does motivation really matter?

Your 'milking the system' is another person's shrewd business/ life choice.

Mistigri - yes I think on reflection it was the whole slightly unethical wiff of nepotism that piqued my annoyanance. Perhaps I should've waited til I'd assimilated what I was annoyed at beyond "milking of the system" being ok for them, but them being disgusted at anyone on benefits etc, before I posted. I guess some people crave cash over job satisfaction.

I do like children, Verbena I also like teaching them. I thought I'd made that clear. But that's not why I chose the career nor is it my motivation for staying in it.

I went into teaching because I was passionate about my subject. No other reason.

I take it OP that as you find these people so distasteful you won't be socialising with them again?

I think this is a thinly disguised attempt to claim that older teachers lack the passion and drive of younger ones.

you'd do it for free? how would you live? Teaching is a vocation, I totally agree, but I have my own life, children who need supporting, the need to eat and put a roof over our heads. I can't do it for free and I won't do it at the expense of my own children and their needs (in other words, I'm not staying in school till 5pm every night running clubs).

As for NQTs who care about teaching more - it is easy to be passionate and not care about money when you're young and house sharing or living with parents and you're not up 3 times in the night dealing with a vomiting child before you drag yourself in front of your class.

You must be a joy to work with.

I think it is distressing to hear about people in jobs, who might not deserve to be there,but got it through having the right friends. Especially when we are talking about teaching jobs, where performance has a huge impact on children's futures.

I think it's okay to do any job for the money/perks rather than for love, so long as you do that job properly.

The conversation you witnessed though is massively distateful. If you report it formally though, they will know it came from you. Are you willing to open up that can of worms, especially if they are capable at work, just twats?

I generally found that behind some of these dewy eyed passionate teachers there was a level of steely ambition and a readiness to belittle anyone who didn't conform to their ideals.

Incidentally, I am in England and my daughter is on half term this week.

OP, its stress and their way of dealing with it and of having worked in "the system" for so long. I'm astonished that someone who claims to have worked in teaching as long as you cannot distinguish between truth and bravado, between gossip and fact. You also sound like the sort of person who would have informed on their neighbours after hearing an anti-Party line statement through a glass held to the mutual wall. Maybe you could lecture them on using the correct Thoughspeak in their next conversation? Or maybe you should simply mind your own business, stop being such a Little Miss Perfect and concentrate on doing your own job and keeping an eye on the things that actually matter?

And be aware that you yourself may not be as perfect as you may think, and maybe there is someone out there making negative comments about you.

Their attitudes appal me and I sympathise, but I'm not surprised at all. As a teacher I feel passionate about my job and go above and beyond. I once worked out that all of the hours unpaid overtime I do more than equates to the time I get off on holidays. I know I shouldn't do as much, but it's hard not to and I always want to give my all. However, a couple of my colleagues take the absolute piss and many of the people at the top are lazy and overpaid.

The shortage of teachers seems to have made things worse; the hard working teachers are expected to do more and more and the useless teachers name their terms.

One colleague of mine refuses to teach seniors, refuses to teach certain pupils, will only work certain days (even though she has no other ties), refuses to work half days, does not do her fair share of the workload, dislikes every pupil she teaches, phones in sick regularly, gets signed off for months at a time regularly and complains to the union if she doesn't get her own way. Also, she is a crap teacher!

I think in other jobs it's easier to get rid of the slackers, but in Scotland it's pretty difficult to sack teachers, even incompetent ones. Too many have blagged jobs they can't do and yet they hold on to their jobs for life!

Totally agree Ilovesooty! When I went into this job, my only ambition was to be the best teacher I could be. Some of my former shite colleagues with balls of steel, are now my seniors.

I'm a teacher and there's a couple of people like this at my school at a mid management level. They use every excuse possible to be out of class - moderating / assessing / observing / checking data / sending the rest of us long emails about yet another new initiative etc etc.
(To clarify, i know that part of being a manager does entail doing this, but these 2 are out of class way more than any be else at their level).

Its clear they dont like being with the children that much. But to be honest, let them get on with it - the children are probably having much more fun and learning way more with the student teachers and cover staff who are genuinely passionate about being in class.

You're really determined that everyone agree with your analysis of these "friends" and join you in your outrage, aren't you, OP?

Teachers, like anyone else, should expect a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. It sounds as if these people had different ideas.

It's odd that you never hear of any other profession where people are supposed to do it for the love of it and "would do it for nothing if they could."

MazzleDazzle - I'd be a bit careful if I were you, the way you speak about yourself is so self congratulatory that it kind of rubs the reader up the wrong way. And by implication, it ends up sounding like you think you are better than your colleagues.

Also - how do you work out your overtime? I don't do any overtime, as far as I am aware. I have a salary, the house aren't stated. I just work when I need to work. I thought that was how all teaching (and in fact all other salaried jobs) work? Overtime is for jobs that have hours.

OP, teachers who claim they would do the job for free are doing the rest of us no favours. I love my job - love the kids, love my subject, go way and above what's written in my job spec. But would I do it for free? No - I have more self-respect.

I have two friends at SLT level - they work bloody hard. They might not teach as many lessons as me, but they work hard. Don't judge based on a conversation in a coffee shop. There's no way anyone makes it at that level unless they're working their arses off. If they're not, it will be spotted and they won't be in the job very long.

Children are people, when all is said and done, and like all people, there are some I like and a few I don't. Some I am fonder of than others. It isn't about 'liking' children, it's about doing a good job for them.

Believe me I often used to think when 'teaching' drama (which I was stuck with for 50% of my timetable as an NQT and am a shite drama teacher) that it was a joke I got paid for it, but paid for it I was.

Leaving I am a drama teacher. I am a bloody good one. Today I have enjoyed 6th formers rehearsing a medley from Les Mis and then more 6th formers rehearsing a piece of original drama - it entertains me that I get paid when it's so enjoyable

Wouldn't do it for free though. They're not that entertaining.