...do teachers really work that hard?

[User298895613]

I know the general idea on AIBU is that teachers work load is ridiculous, that they work extra hard and that they never never stop to the point that they r all seemingly leaving the profession.

But, AIBU to wonder if they are any different to anyone else? and actually might have it a bit easier? I mean, I also work myself into the ground, am exhausted, never stop etc... But I don't have summer holidays off to look after my kids, and I often work well into the small hours at night.

I'm not saying teachers don't work hard, but sometimes on munsnet I just feel like some teachers kind of spend a lot of time complaining about the workload, when maybe it's just the same as everyone elses, but with a nice long summer holiday?

(Sorry, I appreciate this will really inflame some posters, but it just had been annoying me lately)

No teacher I have ever known would dispute that the emergency services work hard and are badly paid for the amazing job we do. We are only disputing the OP's assertion that we 'have it easier' than everyone else. I'm not sure what's meant by 'well paid more than they let on'. Teachers' pay scales aren't a secret.

I think it is a fair question to ask, and I also think some teachers do get a bit on their high horses, as if no one else in the world works hard! I am sure there are other professions that are just as stressful.

However as a full time secondary teacher, it really is tough, and is getting tougher. The targets etc. we are expected to reach with exam classes are getting more and more ‘aspirational’, and do not take into account in any respect that we are working with teenagers, and some teenagers have a lot of other things to deal with, or simply don’t care about their grades. It is also more and more difficult in dealing with parents; so many parents now are so unsupportive of schools when dealing with behaviour etc., and/or expect the school to do the parenting as well as be the teachers.

I am usually at my desk by 7am, and leave anywhere between 4 and 6 (as I sometimes pick my daughter up), but then almost always open up the laptop after she is in bed to do an hour or so of work before bed. Holidays are lovely and a definite perk of the job, but apart from the longer summer break, they are also a chance to actually catch up on all the marking etc., the job would be completely impossible to do without the holidays.

You know the 'mental load' thing that parents have. It's like that, all the time, being a teacher.

Oh do fuck off, OP!
If you really thought what we do is easier than what you do then you would be a teacher wouldn't you?

I have to agree with original post, all you ever hear is what a hard job teaching is, and the standard you try and do it. I have dated 2 teachers and lived with one, and no one is going to deny it’s not an easy job. However so many jobs aren’t! Nurses, doctors, lawyers, a mum who works 4 minimum wage jobs to support her family. To me there does appear to be a very ‘woe is me’ attitude from SOME teachers, when there are a lot of perks to the job. Fantastic Holidays, decent salary, job security, and most of all the love of teaching young human beings.

they do ..not we obviously. Sigh.

Erm short answer ... yes . And not only the work but the “extras” no lunchtime no break time due to caring for students such as this week one disclosure about being gay, one self harm and two busy being beaten up at home. On top of this the targets set to achieve certain grades based on the air but my performance management depends upon achieving those grades. Then the work every evening. Yes lots of people do demanding jobs the same as teacher but most of them don’t have to put up with so much criticism from parents and governments alike ! The holidays are one of the reasons I opted for this profession as I knew it would be shit money and little reward but I wanted a family and the holidays would suit. Oh and the holidays are unpaid ... we are paid for 10 months spread over 12 . I don’t doubt other people work hard but the difference is I don’t complain about them. Also seems some people don’t value what teachers actually do. So I’m andwer to your AIBU ... yep

@Jogonandshutup really?

@littlecloudling has it spot on I think. And very succinctly too!

I teach in a busy secondary and by the time the holidays come around most of us are on our knees. Discipline from above is lacking at the moment, the pupils know this and are running circles around us. I can appreciate the query about holidays etc but at the moment I am on my February break and have been in bed really unwell as I have ran myself ragged with prelim marking planning ahead for the new term etc

I've just left a permanent (well paid) teaching post because of the stress.
I could honestly handle the workload if it wasn't for the behaviour of the pupils.

Now I have taken a big pay cut to be a supply teacher in another school with bad behaviour.

I have very little work to do (odd bit of marking) but am thinking of leaving the post again, due to behaviour.

I'm also a mum and am very concerned about the state of the education system for our children. Looking at the possibility of hone schooling!

Yes of course they do!

My FIL was a teacher for years. Poor chap never had a minute! And for his unpaid holidays he worked as a joiner to make up for loss of pay. He’s glad he’s out of it.

Well. They got what they wanted.

For all those saying we are moaning, we didn't start this stupid thread. We never start the stupid threads, but we do feel we need to defend ourselves.

Donelikeakipper in the retail trade we call them w*er Wednesdays because that’s all you seem to deal with

@arkos
You are spot on!

Also a last note from me. I’m actually a nurse educator so I care for patients half the time and and I teach the other half. I can assure you even a room full of 80 students is no where near as stressful as caring for human lives. I adore teaching, the planning the delivery, the assessments. But stress is when people’s lives are in your hands. I feel doing both gives me good perspective. I am not saying teaching is easy, but as a profession some teachers defiantly do come off really really whiny. I never ever slag of my job to anyone (except in the thread) because it’s a privilege to care for people who need me. Maybe if we heard more teachers say it’s a hard job but so worth while, people would feel more inclined to get behind them.

it’s a hard job but so worth while,

Well they're definitely not in it for the money that's for sure.

Anyone who thinks teachers really don't work that hard is very very welcome to pop into my school, the week before half term, when everyone, including the children, is completely exhausted, and voice that opinion!!!

Bore off - you have no idea and I can’t be bothered to respond in any length to someone who has far too much time on their hands and lines winding people up.
Come and give it a go, see what you post then.

Walkingdeadfangirl define cushy please .. have you taught in a city state school for a number or years? I’ve done 28 don’t remember the cushy bit.
Please let me know your career so I can accept your criticism of mine thank you

I know it’s going to piss a lot of people off, but I did not find it required that much work as long as you are an organised person. Yes, I worked in a private school so there were smaller classes. But during the two months paid summer holidays I did not even think about school until teacher inset days. However, there were teachers that were not very organised and would stay late every night completing work which I feel could have been done during free periods etc had they been more organised. It is a stressful job during term time don’t get me wrong, with end of term reports and parents evenings making days very long. It takes a lot out of you being responsible for so many children and marking etc. However, I think that in terms of jobs it is a very very sweet deal. I am by no means a lazy teacher, I would organise interesting engaging lessons and taught the children for Eton and Harrow scholarships (which they got into). I have had a lot of backlash from friends that are quite angered by how much holiday teachers get and feel it is undeserved. I think it is a stressful demanding job but the holidays make up for that and the pay also reflects that. If teachers worked 50 weeks a year then they would be paid much higher, the salary takes into account the fact that I am not in school for 18 weeks of the year, however in private and special needs it is obviously paid slightly more. To answer your question. The job requires you to work hard, how hard depends very much on the type of person you are. Like with any job I feel if you are good at it and organised you will find it easier. The long summer holiday well and truly makes up for any stress though! I spend 18 weeks of the year either abroad, chilling out or spending time with my husband who is also a teacher at another school.

One more time. We're not whining, just objecting to people saying we have it easy. I think most teachers would say it's a privilege and a joy to work with children, it's surely a massive concern that so many teachers are leaving a profession that is reasonably paid and has good holidays?

Teachers have such a fantastic work life balance that I want part time after dd1 was born and resigned after ds1 was born.
Lunch time consisted of a hastily eaten sandwich. There were no breaks. Literally none unless you count 'free periods' which were spent on admin etc.
I'd get in at 7.30 and leave around 5 or 5.30. Lesson prep and marking was an evening and weekend activity. I wasn't a core subject but had extra curricular activities to run 10 times a week.

I can assure you even a room full of 80 students is no where near as stressful as caring for human lives.

How does it compare to teaching Y9 set Z on a windy Friday afternoon last day of term, wet lunch, there was a fight and it’s a mufti day?