Does the size of a teacher make difference to their ability to teach?

[StrumpersPlunkett]

Would you be concerned if your child’s teacher was of significantly reduced mobility due to being overweight?
If you are a teacher in early years/ks1/ks2+
Would it limit your teaching?

No I wouldn’t

No more concerned than if the teacher was a wheelchair user or amputee.

That is to say it wouldn't concern me at all

Why do you ask?

Oh my god what a disgusting post.

Quick. Ring ofsted. “My child’s teacher is fat”

No of course it doesn't affect their ability to teach.

Let’s hope this is a reverse.

How do you know the weight gain didn't come after the reduced mobility?

Ok. Was thinking of training to be a teacher but am v overweight and worried I would be judged/ that there would be limitations.
Not sure I would be able to do much with PE

I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you are the teacher concerned regarding their weight and not a parent being cruel and judgemental.

No I would not be concerned about the teachers size or any other physical characteristic.

Only that they’re being a poor role model for healthy eating! And also possibly unable to run after a child who had tried to leave the school premises. Otherwise no.
My DDs had a morbidly obese teacher at their primary school, who was a very experienced and good teacher.

Sorry I didn’t want to get people cross

I would love to do the job and intellectually I think I would be fine.

Ahh cross post.
Op please be kind to yourself. Kindness to self and others is the most important trait for a teacher.
Most schools now have sports coaches come in and do the PE.

My DD's first teacher was a lady who was in a wheelchair. She was the best teacher ever, my daughter is now an adult but she still mentions that teacher as one of her role models in life. There is certainly more to teaching than being mobile ! Go for it !

I’ve worked in reception and ks1 and there is a lot of sitting on the floor and kneeling alongside children. Would you be comfortable doing that? Obv it varies amongst schools but ks2 may be better for not having that.

Sorry I need to rtft! Yes you'd be fine

Somewhat... When I did my placement the teacher in the classroom next to us was morbidly obese with 2 difficult children, she struggled to follow them out of the classroom if they tried to run out, this meant I'd have to go after them when their were no TAs Available.

Thanks for the supportive comments.

Am I right in thinking you’re overweight and considering teaching OP? There is a physical element when working with very little ones in terms of getting down to tie laces etc but with a good TA there’s no reason why those bits need to be done by the teacher. You’d also need to be able to take children on school trips and teach PE but I’m overweight and I manage! It’s just something else to factor in.

Fixing that is interesting. I don’t know what I would do in that situation.

My favourite teacher was an overweight man. He taught me science and was the most engaging, funny teacher at the school. He was so loved by his students. We also had a drum teacher who was to this day one of the biggest men I had ever seen. He was adored by all the boys as they thought he was the coolest thing since sliced bread. I never even thought about him being overweight until I bumped in to him some years after leaving.

Really don't think it matters OP. All the best.

You’d be starting next September-why not start losing weight now?

Teaching is a physical job and it is harder if you’re less able to move. Definitely not impossible but it will be easier for you if you’re fitter and healthier.

Ah, slow typing and missed the last few posts! PE isn’t too bad - I get the more able ones to demonstrate when I can’t manage it! But definitely worth doing some walking etc now to start building up a bit of strength and stamina if you can. I think the most physical job is working in EYFS. By KS2 there’s much less of an expectation that you’ll sit on the floor and play Lego or whatever.

It wouldn't stop you from teaching. But there are somethings which are harder, like being on their level, chasing them if they run, being on the carpet with them etc. They are things to think about and adapt (as any teacher with mobility issues would).
But there may well be comments. A friend of mine is an amazing reception teacher and is obese. When she went for adoption interviews she had to do all sorts of fitness tests to prove she could look after an active child as they didn't believe she would be able. (Despite doing it all day, everyday with 30 kids.)