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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

...to wonder what the fuck primary school teachers do?

68 replies

HermioneWeasIey · 17/10/2019 21:27

Because I reckon it must be some form of magic.

My DD really was not into writing or learning letters etc. before she started school. I would read to her a lot, but she'd get annoyed if I took it further. She absolutely hates getting things wrong or admitting she doesn't know something (must get that from her dad Grin), so all I could do was try and sneak some stuff in during our normal day and hope it had some effect.

She liked maths and would randomly come out with sums but again, would hate when I'd try doing maths games with blocks or whatever.

I'm a young single mum and her dad is in prison, so it was especially important to me to do what I could to encourage her down a different path than mine or (especially) his.

We're a month in and she's just read her reading book (after a few goes with me) independently, she can write her name and she wrote 'cat' and 'mum' today, she's in her bed next to me now and she can't sleep as she's too excited that she now knows subtraction and wants to tell me every sum in the world Grin

All this in a month! With 29 other kids to teach and her teacher and TA have managed to instil this sudden massive love for learning into her. I've been trying to do it for years, and I never managed it even though it's just me and her! I can't get over it.

I love to learn too; currently doing a full time masters whilst juggling a full time job and raising her alone - but I absolutely love learning and always have, and it was the one thing I hope she'd inherit from me.

She absolutely worships the ground they walk on too, and is so much happier than she ever was at nursery.

I read a lot of negative posts on here re teachers, and a lot from fed up teachers who clearly aren't appreciated as much as they should be - and I just wanted to say (and I'll be saying it to DDs teacher at parents evening next week) that I think you are absolute magicians and unsung heroes. Thank you for all that you do Thanks

OP posts:
cwg1 · 17/10/2019 21:32

You've got a lovely DD, OP and she's got a lovely mum Flowers

lazylinguist · 17/10/2019 21:33

What a lovely post! I teach languages an hour or so a week in lots of different primary schools (much easier than being their main teacher!) and I agree - primary school class teachers are magic! Congrats on your ongoing learning and on bringing up an inquisitive dd who loves school!

HairInABun · 17/10/2019 21:34

Reception teachers are undoubtedly magic.

Mums are equally incredible btw Wink

RainbowBlanket · 17/10/2019 21:35

This is a lovely post!. My DS just started reception and he’s really struggling with getting in due to missing me and his teachers have been so incredible and supportive. I honestly couldn’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for my son, as much as he still struggles some mornings he’s come on leaps and bounds in 6 weeks.

saraclara · 17/10/2019 21:38

I actually teared up at your post, OP. Your daughter's teacher is going to love you, and your daughter sounds so sweet!

Flowers
pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 17/10/2019 21:39

What a lovely post! My ds has just started reception too and has a lovely teacher too.

user764329056 · 17/10/2019 21:41

Beautiful post OP

Sparrowlegs248 · 17/10/2019 21:42

I think they work magic. Ds1 has really flourished in the last few weeks. He didn't enjoy pre school, the teachers regularly told me he had "issues". A few weeks of primary school.and there are no signs of these issues, he runs in happy and smiling and like your DD is full of all he has learnt. It's wonderful, I'm so pleased he's enjoying himself.

HermioneWeasIey · 17/10/2019 21:44

It's a bloody scary transition isn't it, but I'm just in awe of what they (and she, of course, the little star) have managed to achieve in such a short space of time, with a load of other crazy little 4 year olds. Superstars.

OP posts:
Bobbiepin · 17/10/2019 21:48

Aww, here I was all ready to get my popcorn for a teacher bashing thread but that's lovely.

QueenoftheDay · 17/10/2019 21:48

They are magical.

DD’s P1 teacher sings at them and they all sing back at her like some kind of pavlova response

QueenoftheDay · 17/10/2019 21:49

Pavlovian 😂

Ilikesweetpeas · 17/10/2019 21:50

What a lovely thread! I'm glad to hear how well your daughter is doing Smile

momtoj · 17/10/2019 21:50

What a lovely post!

Igottastartthinkingbee · 17/10/2019 21:51

Well I opened this expecting to have to stick up for teachers 🤣 well done to OPs teacher and to OP for embracing her DDs new found enthusiasm!!

My DD is in reception and has also taken me by surprise. She was always timid at nursery but is so much happier at school, she strides in every day and has just had the best first report at parents evening. Also my DS is now with a very inspiring teacher and he’s now keen to do his homework, loving learning some new subjects with language and music. He had a rough start to school and still has big wobbles with confidence but 6 weeks into year 3 and he’s come on so much. Proud mum here. My kids teachers are ace!!!!!

thenewname · 17/10/2019 21:51

A pavlova response would also be delicious.

I agree, OP, nothing but wowed by the amazing, highly skilled magicians who teach my kids. A really difficult, challenging job to do well.

isittooearlyforgin · 17/10/2019 21:52

Thank you for this. I am a reception teacher and I’m quitecteary. What a lovely mummy x

HermioneWeasIey · 17/10/2019 21:53

DD’s P1 teacher sings at them and they all sing back at her like some kind of pavlova response

GrinGrin

OP posts:
FormerlyFrikadela01 · 17/10/2019 21:54

I feel the same way about nursery teachers. Bloody magicians the lot of them. The fact they can get just my awkward monkey of a child, nevermind 20 others to sit on the carpet for story time is amazing.

I have so much respect for anyone who chooses to care for and teach children.

IfYouWannaComeBack · 17/10/2019 21:55

I love this!
Your DD sounds fab too.
I agree with everything you’ve said, my DS started reception only a few weeks ago and he too read his first book this week! They’ve even taught him about punctuation. I’m very impressed with the standard of education he’s getting.
Although he does call exclamation marks “explanation” marks, but it’s cute

MitziK · 17/10/2019 21:58

Remind yourself of this at Christmas when you've had another seven weeks of 'Mrs Teacher says that...' and 'Mrs TA thinks...'. It's sweet that they suddenly see other people as this great repository of knowledge, but at some point, you do find yourself thinking 'Is there ANYTHING that Mrs Teacher doesn't know more than I, your mother, knows?' and 'Yes, I've been saying that to you for ages, but now Mrs TA says it, you believe it?'.

Reception Teachers are great. I couldn't deal with that many little ones without far too much gin, but then again, I deal with tons of teenagers, and most Primary Teacher friends pull a face and say they couldn't possibly deal with them, whereas I think teenagers are also rather sweet in their own special ways and vulnerabilities.

I've had an idea - each time Mrs Teacher's/TA's sayings are repeated to you, make a note of them - and stick them in a card or a poster at the end of the school year; I bet it'll make Mrs Teacher/TA smile at the things that have stuck.

Pinkflipflop85 · 17/10/2019 21:59

As a year 1 teacher, reading this has made me smile!

Feels good to be appreciated for a change!

Thatnovembernight · 17/10/2019 21:59

I agree! My son started school last year and had shown zero interest in anything to do with reading, writing or maths (despite me gamely giving each a go). I find it utterly, utterly miraculous that he can now read me a (simple) book. Literally mind blowing.

merryhouse · 17/10/2019 22:00

If it helps you feel better, my son didn't learn from me either.

I still remember the time he said "do you know mum, the stars aren't actually star-shaped they just look like that because of the atmosphere"

... and I definitely DID NOT reply "yes, I know, I've told you that at least three times, in context, the latest about a week ago"

He's at university now Smile

Bluerussian · 17/10/2019 22:02

That is such a heartwarming post, Hermione. I'm delighted for your daughter and for you, her lovely mum.

Hope everything continues to go well.

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