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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think i'm not cut out to be a teacher ?

110 replies

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 16:57

I've just realised I don't actually enjoy it that much, and it's not fair on the kids. I do like the kids themselves, but it's just too much.
I'm in an 'inaqeduate' school in a deprived area. The top sets are around 35 kids in most classes, it's just far too many.

I have a set 2 year 7 class and it's just horrific. They just will not behave for me. About 15% of them are lovely and hardworking, and it's just not fair on them at all because we don't get through anything.

Another teacher had them one lesson and they were absolutely fine for her. I've tried using the behaviour policy, positive language, phone calls, everything. They are just out of control, and I can't get the whole class to be quiet. I always have SLT walking past, seeing what's going on and having to come in to tell them off and it makes me feel like i'm rubbish at the job.

I just don't enjoy the having to be 'on' constantly, having to have a script. Never getting a proper break because there is always stuff to do.
Also have a 1h15 commute each way to school.
The other issue at the moment is that i'm cover but doing a teacher role without the salary. This is the 2nd time I have told them about this.
I really resent it and I feel like a fool, I don't want to be taken advantage of.
I just don't know if it's the career for me. I'm good at speaking to people and helping people, and I think with my qualifications, skills and experience I deserve a better standard of living.

Not sure if it would be better in other schools. Anyone else left teaching and gone into a new career ?

OP posts:

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 16:58

I'm still in my probation so my notice period is very short. I have been looking at other jobs, most of them paying at least 2-3 grand a year more than I earn, which isn't much more than minimum wage.

OP posts:

araiwa · 06/03/2020 17:04

Some classes are shitty

flumposie · 06/03/2020 17:04

I've been teaching for nearly 23 years. I've found in recent years that things have got harder instead of easier. My honest opinion would be to get out now if you have seen jobs that you could apply for. If I could I would. I remain positive in lessons, do the best I can, give up lunch times and holidays so etc the my pupils probably don't realise how much I would love to quit .

flumposie · 06/03/2020 17:07

Excuse my typos. I'm shattered.

42isthemeaning · 06/03/2020 17:08

My advice would be (oldie teacher here!) to consider carefully if it's the school / job that's the issue rather than the career of teaching itself. I taught in two very difficult schools before I got a job in a great school with more support and a chance to actually teach! I realised that I did actually enjoy teaching and I was glad I didn't abandon it as a profession. Good luck op

TwoZeroTwoZero · 06/03/2020 17:13

When you say cover, does that mean you're a supply teacher or an hlta? I'd just get out, especially if you're doing the job of a teacher but aren't getting paid as such.

Smileyaxolotl1 · 06/03/2020 17:14

comfy I don’t really understand what you are saying regards the money issue.
Are you a qualified teacher or someone with a degree who is just having a go at teaching by being a cover supervisor? Obviously you will not be paid as a tea lager if you are not one and if you are why are you in an unqualified role?

In terms of behaviour it will get easier generally but it is also very different in different schools and you have to find the right fit. Any school rated inadequate is likely to be quite challenging- some people like that sort of Challenge, others do not.

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:18

Thanks for the replies. What I meant is that I am employed as a cover supervisor, but they are having me planning, marking, assessing, for nearly £9k less than an NQT earns. I am a qualified teacher. I took cover thinking it would be a good work/life balance, but it hasn't been the case.
It's just when they don't behave for me but are fine with other teachers. Some classes are ok, but i've found myself really losing my temper with 1 or 2, and I don't think that's what a good teacher does.

OP posts:

MitziK · 06/03/2020 17:18

Get a job in a better school before deciding for good. The one advantage of having worked at a failing school is that there is nothing the kids of an Outstanding one can throw at you that you haven't seen, heard and dismissed as the least of your worries before.

Seriously, somebody stropping because they've got a behaviour point for chewing gum is fuck all once you've coaxed a near hysterical, six foot lad into putting a fucking massive kitchen knife down with zero backup (or even any fucking acknowledgement) from SLT.

FeckaDecka · 06/03/2020 17:21

It s better in other schools, definitely better if you're not in a big academy chain and even better if LA controlled. Move schools and cut the commute!

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:21

@mitziK wow, that's horrific re the knife story, and no support either.
I do wonder if the workload/pressure would be any better in other schools. I just don't think i'm ever going to be an outstanding teacher, i'm not prepared to have zero life in order to plan lessons to the finest detail.
I have spoken to two people now about my role and they refused to pay me an allowance the first time, not sure if this other person will be able to help.

OP posts:

Furcoatgirl · 06/03/2020 17:22

This makes me so sad, my son is at an inadequate school and they are really struggling to retain staff.

I don't know the answer, but the children are being badly let down, it's probably 50% the parents fault too.

I don't blame people for not wanting to go into secondary school teaching, but I reckon it takes a very particular kind of person to engage a bunch of unruly teens, as well as excellent management support.

That doesn't mean to say you haven't got what it takes in ANY school, but where does it leave the kids?

Nighttimefreedom · 06/03/2020 17:25

Why do you think you have to be an outstanding teacher?

Candyfloss99 · 06/03/2020 17:25

Stop being a cover supervisor but doing a teacher's work. They are taking advantage of you and I'm sure you feel resentful. Can you apply for permanent teacher jobs?

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:26

That's the issue, I don't want to let the kids down. The whole department has quit that I work in, we will be a brand new department as of September.
I am doing alright with some classes, I just cannot control some of the huge classes, no matter what. I just don't have the skills to do so.

OP posts:

Nighttimefreedom · 06/03/2020 17:26

I'm not a teacher but I don't feel the need to be outstanding at what I do. Is that your own personal ambition or what you think others expect?

Mischance · 06/03/2020 17:27

There must be a better teaching job somewhere - I really hope so!

Nighttimefreedom · 06/03/2020 17:27

I don't want to let the kids down
You wouldn't be. You don't have adequate support, that's not your fault.

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:28

They are definitely taking advantage of me. I told the HR that there was no cover work etc. And they just ignored it.
I've spoken to the Cover Manager today who has said she will try to sort it out.
I do feel very resentful and it's making me want to quit.
I could apply for other schools, but sometimes I just don't know if i'm good enough at the job. I feel like you have to be a children's entertainer as well as a teacher, and I just find it so draining. The hardworking, quiet ones just get ignored, and it's not fair on them.

OP posts:

BlackeyedSusan · 06/03/2020 17:30

Leave. It's not worth it.

Psst. Don't break you teeth on the file baked in.

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:30

I suppose I don't need to be outstanding, I just don't think I am even good.
Another issue is that as well as having the teaching timetable, I don't have a lot of PPA because I get put on cover elsewhere in the school.

OP posts:

AJPTaylor · 06/03/2020 17:30

Sod that for a game of soldiers.
Put all your effort into finding a new job. Can you join an agency and do supply?

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:32

Honestly, I don't think I would enjoy supply. When supply come into our school, the kids can be horrific. Sometimes, I come back to my room and it's in an absolute state. You don't know the kids' names, anything about them and they can tell you all sorts of lies about leaving early, what they normally do, where they sit etc.. Honestly don't know how supply teachers do it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Comfyslippers28 · 06/03/2020 17:33

I think I would just like a career change to be honest. No job is perfect, but I think I deserve to be earning more than this and I just want a job where I can have actual breaks, and more of a balance.

OP posts:

Smileyaxolotl1 · 06/03/2020 17:35

comfy
The first thing to do is to sort out your role.
Cover teachers on a low wage should merely be teaching work provided by someone else not planning Or marking at all. I’ve heard of unqualified staff being taken advantage of but don’t see how they can do this if you have QTS.
There will always be different classes, I’ve been teaching for years and most years I will have one tricky class and in my current school 2 or 3. If you get good behaviour from some of your classes then and yes probably them and not you.
In terms of Time I can make a good lesson in about 20 minutes, not all lessons can be outstanding so don’t beat yourself up too much.

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