To jack in teaching in Covid times?

[Firefin]

Yes, it's a secure job, relativey speaking, and maybe I should be grateful.

But less than a month in and we have been told that we will, effectively, lose all of our lunches and break times as we are now required to escort students to lunches and breaks, supervise lunches in bad weather, collect students at the end.

My line manager also thinks all the normal stuff (displays, regular phone calls home, book work in five colours) should still go ahead, while my timetable does not even allow for my own responsibilities to take place. In addition, we are being forced to wear face masks everywhere, have to change rooms all the time (sometimes on no notice), have to set up before the kids get in, even though we are the ones moving and collecting them from social areas.

In my worst week I do not get lunch breaks some days and most days struggle to even go to the toilet.

We have meeting after meeting, request for remote learning on top of a normal teaching load, request for detention duties, over-and-above duties, interventions etc. as well as a strict covid-friendly behaviour system, all without the support needed.

Less than a month in and I'm burnt out, have no time for my family and my complicated home life. My mental health is back to a point I want to, effectively, not be here (I have all the numbers, no need to point them out).

I am good at my job, but this is not a job I know. I want to quit, but can't afford to. I am trapped, but my mental health is suffering, so I may just get in debt. This is not primary school, either.

@Thisisworsethananticpated

I’ve apologised to OP Ok ? So fuck off yourself And Op I am sorry , it’s shit

These are indeed horrible times. I actually do hope your work situation works itself out too. Everyone is just so furious and nasty to each other at the moment and it is making me ragey too.

OP- put your mental health first it's that simple (or hard). Your job sounds awful. One option is to get signed off sick whilst you figure out what to do. It might not be as bad money-wise as you think- as everyone says, tutoring is one option. I found it hard to find a dyslexia assessor recently as many are older teachers who don't want to do face to face work. Tutors similar- good maths tutors are highly sought after, don't suppose you do maths or science? Or pretty much any subject at GCSE/A level/11 plus tutoring. All preferable to your current work, I would say and possible in covid times.

Thanks
I’m so ducking angry today
It’s not like me to write Shitty posts like that
It’s not honestly

Don’t give up- move!

Your school sounds awful, they aren’t all doing this, and your post makes me grateful to be working in a school that is as supportive during covid as it can be. Other schools will be crying out for good teachers.

You’re better than the people who have such ridiculous expectations during a time of crisis in all schools. Good luck.

I'm a TA and absolutely no fucking way would I blame you for sacking off your job.

There isn't enough money in the world to make me want to be a teacher. It's brutal.

I came on to thank you and appreciate how awful it must be. My daughter hates school atm because at primary they are teaching to lowest common denominator , which means because I tried hard during lockdown and value education, my children now suffer for it. That alone is evidence that teachers are invaluable and what they do for the unprivileged is amazing.

I leave this thread assured and terrified that actually, many teachers will leave the job and become well paid tutors and once more, the poor will be left without. I sincerely wish I could afford education (you're actually paying for privilege) for my kids.

Can you get signed off for now? Speak to your gp and tell them how you're feeling. Then you can contemplate your next move while having security of your job waiting. I'm so sorry OP it's a shit situation but your health always comes first.

Our Head has chosen to retire 2 months in to the school year, I'm not surprised at all.

I'm a teacher too and I completely empathise with you. The situation in my school sounds very similar to yours. I hope things will improve for us all soon.

YANBU

DH has been teaching for 15 years. He is quitting this year. No lunch break, no wee break, nothing. You're not supported and it's torture. Come the end of term he is depressed and just rock bottom.

It's really not the career people think it is.

I’m probably going to be signed off soon Covid on top of everything else

It sounds really hard OP, I wouldn’t blame you.

I know there are always the ‘I walk uphill to work in the snow both ways’ brigade who get a 20 second lunch break and are thankful for it, but you know your limits and shouldn’t be trapped in a job you’re starting to hate.

Teaching has to be one of the worst jobs to be in at the moment, everyone I know in teaching is struggling.

I would quit. I wouldn’t be prepared to give my life and family up for a job.

You would be very reasonable to leave teaching OP (I am a TA and I see ever day just how hard it is).
You would also not be alone. I think many teachers will leave.
The constant negativity against teachers doesn't help either.
The very occasional thank you does though...

Thank you to all teachers - you are amazing - putting your health at risk in a VERY challenging job.

Ignore all the negative government spin against you, the negative media and horrid comments on MN!

I agree with @Scruffymac. You say you have all the mental health numbers but it sounds like you need exactly one number: the one for your GP. If you are at such a point that you can’t see the point in living life (and with what you’re going through, it sounds just like thing on top of thing), then there is 1. No shame and 2. No betrayal to your coworkers or your students, in getting signed off. You must put your mental health first. It sounds like you’re barely surviving now and even if you can make it through this without harming yourself or worse, your body will probably still manifest the stress somehow, such as with a more “physical” illness. So please, consider it. And if you worry how the school will take you being off for stress, it’s none of their business and you can tell them it’s something else if you feel that you must, though you shouldn’t have to. If anything, this should be a wake-up call for them that what they’re asking is impossible and unsustainable.

I know there’s this idea that certain professions just have to go without because that’s how things are when you do x, y, or z (often, it’s traditionally women-centric roles like those who care for others - teachers, nurses, carehome caretakers, etc, and are expected to have to suddenly go without breaks or even time for the toilet if situation demands it). But if you ARE signed off with stress, please consider printing out your OP from this thread and discussing it with a union rep or even union lawyer. Someone has to be the one who starts this situation changing (if you don’t feel strong enough for it to be you though, I understand) as I suspect COVID isn’t leaving. I cannot imagine being unable to eat or visit the WC all day at my job; knowing you might face that must start the stress before you even fall asleep, knowing what you’ll have to deal with when you wake up in the morning. It’s wrong, and what’s more, it’s supposed to be illegal. It’s terrible, OP, and I do hope it gets better.

Covid secure is a bullshit term.

If the spread of viruses is prevented (by magic of course) why has my teen returned from the first weeks of school with a cold?

I retired early 3 years ago. Best decision I ever made. I can imagine how hard teaching multiple classes would be right now. One tip for computer keyboards use cling film on top of keyboard, after end of lesson when kid finished using it don't lift it off and put in bin.

Waiting, I wish our teachers were teaching to the lowest common demoninator. My dd is bright but our school can't seem to teach her. I dragged her up during lock down thinking they would go over stuff and also respect where they are

Zilch.

@Scruffymac

Can you get signed off for now? Speak to your gp and tell them how you're feeling. Then you can contemplate your next move while having security of your job waiting. I'm so sorry OP it's a shit situation but your health always comes first.

I agree. You don't sound well and need time to recover and reflect on your before making such an important decision. Look after yourself.

It is of course your decision OP. However, understand that the jobs market is VERY difficult at the moment. I'm redundant and despite having 20yrs experience in my field, a great cv, security clearance and no restrictions on my time/travel, I'm struggling to find anything, even short contracts.

Can you simplify your home life? Push back hard on your manager. Schools & parents need teachers to be in school so insist on your lunch break. Reduce extra tasks as much as you can.

It sounds horrible. Please contact your union as they will advise. You can refuse to supervise lunches although I get that must be tough. Ever of you feel it's making.you I'll you can contact your GP.

I left a school i hated, did lots of research and now work at a school with much better conditions. It's not perfect and I'm not sure I'm gonna teach.forever but it has just reinforced for me how awful my old school was.

Union, yes. But ultimately, sick leave then leave. Don't die. The virus might mot get you but the stress certainly will.

Mot? Not.

This is a very eye opening thread OP
So thanks (I return calmer than yesterday )

This gives me some
Context as my son has been school refusing , aged 12 . I’m guessing that it’s so stressed and horrible and this explains why school not replying

I would reiterate that if you don’t feel like you have 100% financial surety that maybe pushing back , saying no , getting some GP support might be step 1
Maybe you need a few days off to get your head strong enough to be assertive
But yes your health is your wealth (cheesy but true) and you must do what works best

Clumsily I wanted to say you are not alone , it’s a very brutal working environment in
Many places . Not to minimise your stress , really

Hang tight and wishing you , and all of us frankly strength

Why are you marking? Plus speak to your union