...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)

Also love that no one picked on my praising of teaching staff only the small comments you didn’t like. But yeah your not a moaner at all. Oh and I’m thick so what would I know anyway.

Also please some help me with the abbreviations I have no idea what most of them mean.

I volunteer at my sons school
As a parent helper one afternoon a week on my day off. What I really notice is the relentless of it all (and I only see a v small snapshot in between my photocopying/cutting out/laminating and filing). I help in reception In a v nice middle class school. But even there there seems to be constant pressures on the teachers dealing with disagreements, kids setting themselves, finding and using unending resources from twinkl. Breaktimes often involve dealing with disputes, fastening costs etc. I often wonder when the teachers find time to go to the loo.

I work in a profession which is more highly paid, but if I need a break I just step away from my desk or google for 10 min. Yes I work long hours but don’t have to be “on” all the time.

In my view teachers need that old thing of more gratitude and better pay to bring them in line with other professions

Wetting not setting themselves!

mistress, please don't meet my FIL in real life. he will explain what a patent examiner is to you. In lengthy detail....

fitness, I am not much in the mood for saying what is 'great' about teaching, as then (non teaching) posters use that to say it counterbalances all the 'moans' we have and so we should be happy and not 'moan'. I like teaching my subject,(when I am allowed to use my own ideas, anyway) and I like the camaraderie in my department. I like the fact that tecahing is stimulating so that your brain does get used. I like the debate of education, usually. I like that I care so much I get upset.
You will find plenty of threads (especially on staffroom) where teachers help each other out; threads where teachers help parents out, and the odd thread where parents thank teachers (one atm on staffroom) as well as threads where teachers do share what they love about the job. Seek and ye shall find.
DH is Darling Husband. There is a MN acronyms page somewhere.

There is no rule, btw, that says all arguements have to be balanced. I think we thought we provided balance to the ' you're a bunch of shirkers' rhetoric.

Actually, I think a lot of us have said the kids are great and it's rewarding to be able to make a difference.

Have you teachers all been working today? Piggy? Other guys?

I'm on half term. Done two hours marking and a job application.

Teachers aren't allowed to moan, and everyone knows they have it easy.

Especially those like Clav who work so hard copy and pasting on mumsnet all day.

Mon 24-Dec-18 Teaching full-time 'unendurably hard', says Lucy Kellaway (31 Posts)

God, Christmas Eve. I really do know how to have fun, don’t I?
Definitely was in the Staffroom though, I tend to start threads there or Secondary.

Have you teachers all been working today?

Yep, half term is next week here. I’m part time though, so actual working hours are erratic.

Good luck with your job application Piggy!

We finish off tomorrow. Can't wait!!

Thanks noble.

I remember you posting that on Christmas Eve. Made me LOL

Just had a beast of an afternoon with Year 9. 32 kids in the room, very hot as the sun shines directly in during the afternoon (who designs these buildings?!) and of course, any minor shift in climate throws them all into a wobbly. Two working outside as they felt ill, another two in the classroom with ice packs because they'd hurt themselves at lunch, four out to work with another teacher for poor behaviour, endless wanting to go and fill water bottles (no), go to the toilet (no), work on a laptop or "use phone for research (no), just endless today.

What did someone up-thread call it? "Brain overload" or something? That's what it was.

Anyway, yes, I work hard.

One of the threads quoted by Clavinova above is mine ("Broken by teaching"). Absolutely not apologising for starting a "moaning teacher" thread in AIBU, as I needed fast traffic on that one. I think it was the very early hours of the morning last year, and I genuinely was broken by teaching: found out some days after posting that thread that I was suffering with severe depression and was considering harming myself because of work. I will always be very grateful to the other teachers on that thread who were so understanding and helpful. Also, lots of non-teachers commented and offered their support.

I hope you are on the mend sacha. Unfortunately, it's an all too familiar story.

There are only 7 posts on this thread. Can I suggest it gets filled up with kind words and positive messages before there is another bashing backlash?

Far too much of my half term has been taken up with reading this thread! Will be glad to see it gone, we could lay bets till the next similar one begins? I’m going for 3 days - I’m an optimist

Yes, see you there no doubt

So do you guys all no each other from other posts?. It’s my first ever time on mumsnet just sort of got sucked in to this thread because it was juicy.

I am, thank you very much, Piggy!

I'm at a much nicer school now (despite crazy afternoon Year 9 lessons!) where we are trusted and treated with respect by leadership. Today, the head did my duty for me, because, "It's nearly half-term, you look like you could use a break." How good is that?!

However, I'm still leaving teaching at the end of this year. I'm glad I've had another year in a better place to recover, but I'm ready for a break now. I'm so, so, so tired. And DH and I want to start a family, and I don't think I can have a baby and be in this job full-time!

We often recognise each others' usernames. But I am not so obsessive that I only post on education. I am often found on book threads and any crap ITV 'talent show' threads. My life is rich and varied.

Good Luck sacha

Thanks, Piggy.

So much love to all our fellow teachers reading here.

That's it. Thread done. Over and out!