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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it unreasonable to ask people to remember teachers from both state and private sector haven't been in the situation either?

22 replies

Snuggles81 · 26/03/2020 19:17

I have seen lots of posts commenting about lack of work, too much work, not differentiated enough! One sector doing more than the other.

All teachers from both sectors are just as new to this way of learning as the rest of you.

Most, like myself, are juggling work and kids just as you are.

No school has ever been faced with the closures like this before, no nationwide policies in place so school staff know what is expected.
We are all getting our head around how best to implement learning from a far. Sometimes we will get that wrong but not through want of trying.
Most will be on rota to support in school, many called in last minute to cover sick colleagues, taking their own children into work with them or sending them to their own school. (For me my DCs come to work with me as my DP is a construction worker whose company is operating as normal)

When working at home, we will be supporting our own children's set work and fielding emails/messages from parents, setting new work, completing directed tasks from our SLT, writing reports.

My own children haven't completed all tasks asked of them and they probably never will, is it the end of the world, no! They've had a go and that's enough.

Some parents want lots of work, some want less, how are teachers meant to know what is appropriate when you all have different wants and needs.

We may not be on the frontline, we certainly aren't doing the amazing job of our NHS but we are trying our best to support them.

Please support teachers in doing that.

Sorry for rant!!!

OP posts:
armwrestler · 26/03/2020 19:21

Absolutely. I read today that the Open University takes up to 2 years to develop a new course and put it online. Teachers had 2-3 days, if that.

Thank you teachers! You do a great job.

turkeyontheplate · 26/03/2020 19:26

I completely agree. My 17yo had a bit of a hissy fit yesterday because one of his college teachers uploaded the lesson's work an hour late. He has ASD and is seriously struggling with the loss of his routine. I told him (kindly) to wind his neck in. The teacher probably hasn't taught online before, may have a toddler round her neck or a sick relative she's worried about etc, has had to pull lessons and home learning tasks out of her arse at virtually no notice. When he'd calmed down he agreed.

Later yesterday evening he showed me a very long, high-handed and arrogant email that one of his fellow students had sent to the college, complaining about the lack of efficiency, that the timings were unreliable, teachers were using different formats, some were setting too much or too little work etc. I felt embarrassed for that student and sorry for the teachers.

We all need to cut each other a bit more slack.

FeminismandWomensFights · 26/03/2020 19:27

Thank you teachers! You do a great job.

Yes absolutely. Thank you FlowersGin

SallyLovesCheese · 26/03/2020 19:29

100% agree. We know we're not frontline, but we're doing our best in an unprecedented situation to support every child.

Some parents need reminding of this fact, especially on here.

Other parents are supportive - thank you! We could do with hearing more from you to drown out those parents who are crushing our spirits into the ground!

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 26/03/2020 19:31

Absolutely agree with this.

Bobismyfriend · 26/03/2020 19:37

Absolutely agree. We are all just doing our best to manage this. It has all had to be organised in every short space of time and it really helps to hear from parents who are supportive.

CornedBeef451 · 26/03/2020 19:37

It's pretty amazing teachers are managing to do as well as they are so thank you!

DD yr 7 has all subjects on google classroom and DS yr 4 has some work on class dojo and lots of suggestions of various websites to use if he wants.

We're trying to get them to do 3. hours work over the day but with lots of outdoor play while the weather is nice.

genfromgrimsby · 26/03/2020 19:40

I think they are doing an amazing job. I know some parents got some vouchers to pay for food in lieu of the DCs free school meals, the school went and bought some from a local supermarket and posted them out to the children on FSM - they didn't need to do that.

Snuggles81 · 26/03/2020 19:55

Thank you for your replies, it's great to see some positive comments.

It's a horrid situation for everyone, sometimes I think people forget we are all in the same boat right now.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 26/03/2020 22:24

My children's teachers have been amazing.

Private schools.

DD is year 9 and has full timetable. Teachers available to help and sometimes live marking work. There have been some glitches in technology here and there but seems to be settling down.

DSs school have been so good they've made me feel quite tearful. Their teachers are working themselves into the ground. He's in year 3 and is getting 3 hour long proper lessons a day plus a good hour of enrichment activities - his class teacher makes videos for both English and Maths complete with all the resources needed to complete the lesson. There's an active supervised video chat, works being marked and sometimes he even intervenes online to help with work and on top of all that he runs chats for parents on class dojo trying to reassure us. He clearly cares so much about the children.

Both schools are open for children of key workers of which there are many we've got 3 major hospitals in the city so staff are having to deal with looking after them as well.

We are incredibly lucky and my respect for teachers grows with every moment my DCs are home. State or private they're dealing with an incredibly tough situation

deste · 26/03/2020 22:42

My DD is a teacher in the private sector and is still teaching. She is not complaining but is trying to do it and entertain a 20 month old at the same time because nursery has closed. Add to that 20 month still not sleeping through and then looking after partners two girls some days as partner is working. She was trying to put lessons out according to the timetable but has been told that’s not set in stone. God forbid anyone complained because she is doing her best.

saturdaynightathome · 26/03/2020 22:43

Absolutely agree with you OP. Total respect for teachers who have managed to send work home for our primary kids and now then working towards online delivery after the Easter break (while providing care for children of key workers and taking care of their own DC as well).

The suggestions to cancel summer holidays if possible and get everyone back to school have given me the rage today!

Marieo · 26/03/2020 22:48

Wine for all of you, teaching is spinning numerous plates that are on fire at the best of times, let alone now. You'll never please every parent, and to be honest just keeping safe is enough at the moment. Plenty of online resources and streamed lessons etc that hopefully they help. My friend is going into school as she lives alone and doesn't mind taking the risk, also as she hates video calling! She is working very long days, like you all.

SophieInTheSky · 26/03/2020 23:09

I’m a teacher, thank you for all the lovely comments. Don’t forget we also have our own children to look after!

dontlikebeards · 26/03/2020 23:23

I have a yr8 child, yr5 child and yr2 child. All at local state schools. Teachers have been incredible. All online learning with fabulous support. I am blown away by what an incredible job they have done with so little preparation time.

flumposie · 26/03/2020 23:27

Thank you for this. I've read so much negativity towards teachers in the last 2 days. We are trying our best under difficult circumstances. I'm currently not sleeping well as I can't switch off. Plus I'm a single parent with a primary school aged child if my own. Juggling my work and trying to support her has not been easy. I understand parents are juggling their work and children but once again teachers seem to be singled out for being crap at having to work from home.

Stripeyfrog · 26/03/2020 23:40

I'm v grateful to my DS teachers. We seem to get at least 2 emails a day and they are very responsive to queries when I have emailed. I emailed the head teacher to say thank you to all the teachers, and say how impressed I have been.

Although you could add that NO oNE, whatever their job has been in this situation before. I work in the private sector and work dried up in a week and we had to close. Now I am dealing with whether I can delay VAT, how/whether rent is due if we have closed the premises under government instruction, what furloughed workers means and how to apply for the 80% wages. There are lots of people whose jobs will have changed overnight. I never thought I'd say it but I also feel sorry for accountants and HMRC, I bet their workload is off the scale as well!

listsandbudgets · 27/03/2020 13:45

Well DS's teacher has come up with a good scheme. His son is doing media studies GCSE ... and so for his coursework is now making and editing a number of his dad's videos!!

Now they're even more entertaining than before Grin

Macaroni46 · 27/03/2020 14:01

Thank you for this thread OP
I'm feeling quite wrung out with all this. My specialism is engaging and interacting with little children not online learning and quite honestly, trying to make remote learning meaningful for 4 year olds has been a challenge. But we're learning every day and trying new things along the way.
Some parents will never be happy. What we provide will either be too little or too much!
And as for the call to cancel the summer holidays Angry We've lost a good chunk of Easter hols already due to key workers children care (which I'm happy to do) but seriously - how would school in August even work? Would the pupils go back to their original classes and then move into their new group on the 1st of September or move up a month early? What about reception intake? Year 7? The mind boggles Confused

mbosnz · 27/03/2020 14:07

You teachers are doing a great job, and thank you.

My daughter was having a low grade grizzle, and I pointed out what you are all contending with, having to keep the homefires burning, teaching in a completely new way with really no notice, having to keep school open for key workers' children, all against the same background of worry and difficulties we're all grappling with.

She sent a very polite email to a teacher, having listened to this, asking if when he had time, if he wouldn't mind, could he give her some recommendations for resources for getting a head start on A levels work. He came back with a fabulous reply suggesting study guides, books to read, etc. She is appropriately grateful!

mbosnz · 27/03/2020 14:08

Oh, and we sent a supportive and appreciative email to the head teacher. Because it's clear that some people can be utter arses.

ChloeDecker · 27/03/2020 14:10

I miss my students so so much-every single one of them! Can’t wait to get back in the classroom but until then, will do everything I can for them, whilst supporting my own family too.
Parents and teachers, both in uncharted territory and both doing the best they can.

A little kindness both ways everyone!

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