Teacher attitude

[grumpyteacher1]

Have name changed for this as potentially a bit goady.

Read a few comments today about teachers wanting an 'easy' ride at work so looking at supply, for example. Also saw a comment about going back to teaching a couple of days for 'pin money' basically.

AIBU to think that this isn't the attitude you'd want in a teacher either as a colleague or as a parent?

I get that it's a hard and demanding job but is it one you could or should do half heartedly? Does hoping to go on supply imply a half hearted effort or is it just a defence mechanism.

Should note btw that I'm in Scotland and we don't appear jut now to have the same level of bullshit that our English colleagues have at the moment.

The actual standing in front of the class bit is only one part of teaching. The rest is important too. Blimey that's news to me (Not really)
As a run of the mill supply teacher I would get a call at 7am and asked to go anywhere that morning. I did also have termly supply where I did all the stuff a 'proper' teacher does.

With respect, I think I haven't misunderstood the situation I think that I am talking about a different situation.

I do not mean those who are taking some time due to pressure or stress or whatever. I am talking about those who really shouldn't be in teaching because they have no interest in doing it properly.

God. Have not criticised part time have criticised those who go part time thinking it makes a difficult job easier.

But it does make a difficult job easier! At least in the case of supply. It cuts out all the parts of teaching that have nothing to do with teaching whilst leaving the important stuff like, you know - educating the children. I do day to day supply work - I turn up, I teach (and I am a fucking amazing classroom teacher, I assure you your little darling is getting a good day under me) I deliver everything that's asked of me, I mark the books - according to school marking policy, if there is no planning left I look through what has already been done and find something useful to further the subject, I write long notes to the teacher letting them know what we did/ how the children found it/ if there were any issues arising from the day... and then I toddle on home.

I don't stay for meetings, I don't write reports, I don't do parents evenings, or displays, I don't write IEPs or IBPS, I don't have to hand in a weeks worth of planning for every subject every single week, I don't have to make the smart notebooks to go with them, I don;t have to sort out assessments, and then marks those assessments, and then shade in each child's individual progress chart and then put their marks onto a tracker to send to SLT 6 times a year, I don't have to sort out a weeks with of resources, or make sure everything is photocopied, I don't have to attend CAHMS meetings, I don't have to organise trips, or write the risks assessments, or write pieces for the newsletter... that's just top of my head stuff that I've given up since I went on supply.

...so yeah, it is an easier job, and I get evenings and weekends to myself. I can just wake up and think 'nah I don't wanna work today', and have a nice day enjoying life, instead. - But because of that I am paid far less, I have no job security and I can't get a mortgage. I have made a decision to be poor and happy, rather than having plenty of money which I can't ever spend because I'm too busy and being made ill because of the pressure, and feeling miserable and exhausted every minute of the day

Who the fuck are you to judge me on my decisions on how I earn my money, or what will make me happiest, or what is best for me? I teach a good lesson when I'm there, and then I go home - it's what they pay me to do - what more can anyone ask?
What the fuck business is it of yours if I do professionally want 'a bit of skive'? (I don't I just want out of teaching and haven't fully achieved that yet.) As long as I am doing the job they pay me to do whilst I do it what's wrong with that?

The fact is - going on supply or part time does not equal 'a bit of a skive'. There are full time teachers I know who really don't pull their weight. There are plenty of teachers out there - who are the full time classroom teachers - who are happy to coast.
The attitude of 'wanting a bit of a skive' has got nothing to do with the type of contract you are under.
Going part time or on supply is generally about getting a work/life balance that leaves you happy and fulfilled. Why on earth do you feel you have a right to complain about people making a decision to lead a financially less secure but ultimately happier life - if that is what is what works for them?

Do you have a right to complain that some people (not specifically teachers) don't give their all to their work - well, you can - but no one will listen. Do you have right to complain that people (not specifically teachers) choose to go part time as that is what suits their circumstances but YOU have decided its because they are workshy skiver. Fuck off, no you don't.
Are you in a good position in one country to complain about what people in another country under a separate system are getting up to? ... um, no.

And God just phoned ... he wants his rod of judgement back

Icantreach - yes! Everything you’ve said!

What specifically is a waste and why?

You really don't have a clue, do you? Go and do your own research. The answer are all over both here and TES.

I work supply because my personal circumstances are such that I need some ‘slack’. Taking a day off, for example. I grew very distressed in my final year once I had realised that I was prioritising other people’s children over my own and knew it had to change. I love the job but where my life is at the moment, I am better doing contract and day to day and not living in perpetual fear of one child not quite getting their target grade. I can still be a good (or even outstanding)teacher but I don’t need to sweat the small stuff. You have the whole of me in the classroom but not after the bell goes.

My results, for what it’s worth, are above national average. I have good references. I am able to pick and choose supply jobs and my agency work very hard to keep me.

It if all that makes me shit, then so be it. I know exactly where I’m at.

Maybe the Scottish system doesn’t ask enough of teachers if they have this much time on their hands to goadily criticise others and start a strange argument based on what they perceive of others’ intentions. I think they could do more.

I think "some" supply teachers aren't committed. I remember my school days when we had supply teachers who couldn't give a toss and just sat there after handing out the scrappy worksheets provided, leaving us to it. I don't remember many trying to do a "proper" lesson - it was more just baby sitting. My son currently at school has often said the same. I'm talking about the ones who are just called for the odd day here and here, not the ones who've been drafted in for a full week or two, or a full term, who indeed do make more of any effort.

You've had many posters say they found your post rude. You could just try apologising rather than continually trying to justify your point. Most of us 'get' what you were trying to say - you just didn't do a very good job at it. I've had a very busy and trying day and when i read your post my first thoughts were 'thanks a fucking lot'.

Would be delighted to engage! Was the point of my thread! What specifically do you want me to address?

What specifically does a “can’t be arsed skiving supply teacher” look like?

My issue is more with those who don't accept that teaching is a difficult job and the. Look to go part time or supply in a hope of avoiding those difficulties.

People should seek out difficult working conditions? What kind of martyrs are you looking for?

I don't remember many trying to do a "proper" lesson - it was more just baby sitting.

How do you propose they do a proper lesson when they are likely a non-specialist have only been left worksheets by the regular teacher? You’ve misunderstood the role of a short term supply.

What Icantreachthepretzels said.

Who the fuck are you to judge me on my decisions on how I earn my money, or what will make me happiest, or what is best for me? I teach a good lesson when I'm there, and then I go home - it's what they pay me to do - what more can anyone ask?
What the fuck business is it of yours if I do professionally want 'a bit of skive'? (I don't I just want out of teaching and haven't fully achieved that yet.) As long as I am doing the job they pay me to do whilst I do it what's wrong with that?

Wow.

I really can't attempt to explain myself again.

Even for MN the level of defensiveness on this thread is outstanding.

for all the teachers here who are clearly suffering and miserable in their workplace. I hope that the structural changes that cause such angst are sorted and I hope that the Scottish education system is never as low on morale as it seems the English system is (and it's not exactly amazing here either).

I genuinely wanted to discuss those teachers who admitted they were lazy and couldn't be bothered (I think we all know at least one) and how there is no place for them in education. I certainly did not want to suggest that all part timers or supply were like this. I have repeated this many, many times.

I'm not sure what you're getting at really.

We need supply teachers, we need permanent teachers. They are different roles, one is a temporary fix for lack of permanent teachers for whatever reason.

Supply suits some, permanent suits others. None of that means children suffer because the school shouldn't be relying on supply so much so that it affects assessment/tracking etc. if they are that's an issue for SLT.

Are you trying to say all teachers should be permanent because if they're not they're lazy? Then how would we get our supply when we need?

Honestly I don't get it, it's a non issue

Why was my comment about difficult classes shitty? Are you not aware that some classes are easier than others? You'd think that you would know that as a teacher.

I am talking about those who really shouldn't be in teaching because they have no interest in doing it properly

So... any teacher then? Not just supply? Why are you singling them out? Bizarre.

and just sat there after handing out the scrappy worksheets provided

If that was the work provided, then it was right for them to hand it out. Regardless of how good it was - it is very rude to not teach the work the teacher leaves you.

If it was a worksheet they themselves had provided... well, the teacher obviously hadn't left anything and they had come prepared - what are you complaining about?

I have on occasion been in schools where there is no clue as to what lessons are normally taught on that day, I have no access to a computer/ the internet, there are no whiteboards and pens for the children to use, no gluesticks - and, seriously, sometimes not even pencils. There's no paper available in the classroom - and no T.A to pop out and grab me some.

As a supply teacher, you do your best - but some schools really like to make it a challenge. And the fact they're not doing much under me is the least of their worries - what are they doing the rest of the time with no pencils?

What specifically does a “can’t be arsed skiving supply teacher” look like?*

One who freely admits they can't be arsed and don't care. Or it's perfectly obvious that they can't be arsed.

We all know one.

So... any teacher then? Not just supply? Why are you singling them out? Bizarre.

Nope. All of them but inspired from an earlier thread where a couple of comments from people who said they hated teaching so we're just going to do supply.

Grumpyteacher, do you not see the interconnectivity? Yes, there are duff supply teachers and teachers in through the motions for whatever reasons. But they are employed because there is no one else to do the job.
If you only allowed staff who passed their Commitment and Dedication diplomas to teach, you’d have classes in the hundreds. If you had huge numbers of exceptional candidates, you could cherry-pick.
Do you not understand that the attrition rate is so enormous that some schools will take anyone breathing and without a criminal record? And that good supply teachers can often have their pick of two or three jobs of a morning...which do I fancy today?

One who freely admits they can't be arsed and don't care.

But if they do everything that is required of them in the classroom, why does it matter what their motivation is? I have an extremely lazy colleague who pisses me off a lot but he’s fab with the kids and they make great progress. He often talks about how he can’t be arsed with planning and wings his lessons.

I genuinely wanted to discuss those teachers who admitted they were lazy and couldn't be bothered

So why did you pick on supply and part time? Why do you want to specifically discuss teachers who don't find fulfilment in their jobs? Plenty of people hate their jobs and do the bare minimum. Why is your bar higher for teachers - it's not like we get paid the big bucks to do what we do.

Why on earth did you think starting a thread wanting to discuss people who are 'lazy' - and specifically singling out one tiny subsection of the population - wouldn't result in a backlash from that population?

It isn't defensiveness - it's telling a goady fucker why they are wrong. Your entitlement in thinking you can judge strangers (in a different country) for their working hours - and getting pissy when they don't play along is astounding.

Gold star for Icantreach!

That’s a permanent colleague by the way. I have another who works very hard but is utterly shit. I’d choose lazy guy over her any day.

All of them but inspired from an earlier thread where a couple of comments from people who said they hated teaching so we're just going to do supply. Yes at that point they did hate teaching because it has ground them down.