...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)

CallMe The teachers on this thread are just answering the op’s question about whether they really work that hard. They are saying that they really do, giving many good examples of how they are working so hard.

You keep trying to answer the question (bizarrely, since you are not a teacher) by saying that your husband (not a teacher) and your nurse and police friends (also not teachers) work hard.

You give the examples that teachers work 8.20 - 4.20 and have a tea break and a lunch break ‘in your area’ in a staffroom full of hot drinks and snacks and it’s so good that we are all merrily staying in the job.

Many teachers have then told you about the prep, marking, clubs, supervision and meetings that happen when the pupils are having their break times. And reminding you that there is, in fact, a recruitment and retention crisis in the teaching profession. Again, further answering the op’s question and informing you where you are (understandably) misinformed about a career you are not in (or your husband, or your friends).

So, in summary, teachers work hard. You, your husband and your police / nurse friends all work hard too, but you are not teachers and it isn’t a competition.

I imagine in your job you haven’t been called a bitch, a fucking joke and people actually do the things you ask them to?

And also, Rachel how on earth can you comment on the work/life balance of A JOB YOU DON’T DO?

But, AIBU to wonder if they are any different to anyone else?

I don’t think any teachers say they are different to anyone else? Teachers object to being told they DON’T work very hard.

actually might have it a bit easier?

Do you not think that is really quite insulting?!

God no, I'd hate to do a lot of jobs but I'd never besmirch what people do for a job or the hours they do.

Half of the teachers that I know have never had a job outside of the classroom. Going from school to college and back to the classroom is insane. Those going from other jobs into teaching seem to find it easier and go further - maybe it's something that should be part of becoming a teacher, getting a 'proper job' elsewhere so that you have something to compare teaching with, and a greater life experience to bring to the classroom.

Teaching was the soft option back-up for people that failed their A-levels back in the early 90's, unsure if this is still the case? I think you only needed two E's .....

Teachers got a lot of stick probably because of the 'holidays'
Do teachers work hard... I'm sure some work really hard, some will be complete lazy bastards and do the absolute minimum and some will do every increment in between. I would imagine it's the same as every other job.

Those going from other jobs into teaching seem to find it easier and go further - maybe it's something that should be part of becoming a teacher, getting a 'proper job' elsewhere so that you have something to compare teaching with, and a greater life experience to bring to the classroom.

In 20 years of teaching, I’ve probably met a lot more teachers than most. I would say without a doubt, the ones who drop out are overwhelmingly ones who have had other careers first!

Incorrect.
A lot of job changers come into teachers and think "f*ck this" and go back from whence they came, realising the grass was not greener.

Including one high profile woman....let me find her story. She set up this scheme to retrain older senior workers. Then shifted to part time

getting a 'proper job' elsewhere

If it were true that the grass isn’t greener then wouldn’t all the teachers who have quit be returning?

www.tes.com/news/exclusive-teaching-full-time-unendurably-hard-says-lucy-kellaway

Financial journalist. Had a shock at the chalk face.

I’m currently weighing up the pros and cons of teaching as I wrk in a school and have a pretty good idea of the workload - no it’s not as stressful as working in a&e but you won’t get a doctors salary, don’t get the status and people underestimate how demanding actual teaching is. Being in a classroom can be really draining. It’s hard.

Also, doctors, nurses, social workers police etc that I know don’t find this discussion ‘tedious’ as a PP said, we all agree all these jobs are hard and it’s not a race to the bottom.

Teachers complain that they work in evenings and on weekends. So do most of us, mate.

Can someone please define what they mean by a "proper" job in the "real world?"

There are lots of factors in any job about how hard or long people work. As a governor I know some teachers are better than others. In any work place you would expect variances. Some teachers commute to work and others live in the village. Some have families and don’t want much extra responsibility and others, who are looking for promotion, relish it.

They all work hard but some are more effective at working than others. Some are more efficient and organised. Personalities and how people work are not the same. In our school, the leadership group work effectively and we take pride in trying to ensure all teachers can have an acceptable work life balance.

Given that some similar jobs (police for example) have huge dollops of overtime pay, teachers are amazing value for money. Yes, of course they work hard, but so do many others. From what I observe, the holidays go some way to compensate. So do decent pensions. It’s a package and the teachers I know enjoy their jobs and I do not know one who has left teaching. The grass isn’t always greener.

I'm a teacher and work incredibly hard. However like any profession there are disparities. A colleague of mine does the bare minimum and gets away with it. However the majority of people I work with work very hard and usually the only holiday they actually get to enjoy is the summer holiday. I'm on half term now, and have spent the morning marking, and will spend my afternoon doing the same. Most people who know a teacher (husband, wife, parents etc) will know how tough a job it can be. It takes over your life. If the holidays were the vanish I'd estimate upwards of 75% of the workforce would leave.

I’ve been a teacher and now working as a solicitor. Teaching is more demanding.

hedge survey after survey after survey says that is not true.

Dear Jesus

Thank you for letting me leave teaching.

I've worked in private sector as admin, then in HE sector as admin and THEN trained as a secondary teacher. It was hell on earth. I hated every moment of it and didn't even bother with completing the NQT year.

Teachers complain that they work in evenings and on weekends. So do most of us, mate

Not me! I went back to being admin in HE sector where I get paid as much as I would be earning as an NQT but I rock up at 9am, go home sometime between 3-5pm and don't even think about work in between.

maude back in the early 90s (well in fact the late 80s , too) I got 3 As in my A Levels (actaully CSYS, widely regarded as more challenging), a 2:1 degree from a well respected university and then qualified to be a teacher , straight into the job as it is what I had always wanted to do. I am still in the job. Do get knotted with your sweeping and sneering generalisations.

I qualified to teach and have a full PgCE to go with my degree.
I really didn't last long in the job and take my hat of to those who can teach and have kids too. I have no idea how you do it and have tons of respect from me.

It's kind of crazy how many people leave teaching. Maybe there needs to be some sort of campaign to inform people that it's most a difficult, crappy, low-paid job with very long hours.

nuno They are too busy persuading people to go into it on the grounds that is is a Utopian, fulfilling and highly paid profession!

Teachers complain that they work in evenings and on weekends. So do most of us, mate

and do you get abuse from children, who tell you to fuck off or write Sir is a twat on the wall? Do you break up fights on a daily basis? Do you get abuse from parents? Do you get complaints from parents because you disciplined their little darling? Do you struggle daily with no support from management? Do you have to teach in a trashed classroom? Do you? Do you?