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.

@caringcarer

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.

That's a good idea but I would have to pay for 30 pieces of cling films per lesson. No covid money.

Don't quit teaching. Pay is relatively good particularly once you're a few years in and generally good job security.

Schools can be so so different. Obviously it is a particularly difficult time right now but it sounds to me like moving schools is a better bet. Different type of school, area, sector etc all worth trying. Research the hell out of the HT- main thing that influences the culture of the school.

Not BU however if you can't afford to leave be careful where you may end up if you leave. I've never had a lunch hour in any of my jobs, some jobs it was even frowned upon despite technically there being an unpaid hour in every contract. I've also had to work very long days with no over time regularly in a job that pays similar wages to teaching but with only the minimum annual leave days! Or perhaps another school might be better

Is there anything you can do at your school now? Perhaps see if any other teachers are feeling the same way and get together to sort the issues out.

I would like to say that my school isn't like this so please don't think your experience is representative of all of teaching. Maybe you could try for another job at a different school but chat to the staff there to see how they're responding to the pandemic?

I left teaching a few years back, I can't even imagine how crap it is at the moment.

I would speak to your GP and get signed off, if you're like I used to be you'll feel guilty, but you need to put yourself first. If you're struggling quitting without having a breather to really think it through might not help. As others have said, tutoring is very lucrative right now, and you can always go back into it in the future if you miss it (hah). I would think of your finances though, if it'll plunge you into counting pennies then try and cut down outgoings now.

The raft of people who seem to think teachers job is to solely serve doesn't help.

Of course yanbu to leave anything that causes you to feel life is not worth living.

Your life can be worth living and you are not duty bound to teach.

I hope you find a route through and if you get signed off please use the time to care for yourself

It was always going to be hard going back after so long at home. It was always going to be a challenge with covid, and trying to keep things as safe as possible. The autumn term is always exhausting for many reasons.

Many jobs are just as exhausting and draining and there are no long school holidays to look forward to, it is just four weeks a year if you are lucky, so that is worth considering. If you are struggling now, you might find it even harder to work somewhere with so little breaks or holidays.
Also your job has security and a pension, many don't, and this is a source of stress as well, and it is only once you are in a job living week to week that you really come to understand the importance of knowing you can always pay your bills. A lack of job security will also add to your mental health problems. So I would pause for the moment, and see how you are feeling at half term/christmas.

Depending on your financial situation maybe you could take some time out? Maybe a few weeks off would help?

As a minimum you need to speak to the senior management team about a lack of breaks and lunch immediately.

Many jobs are just as exhausting and draining and there are no long school holidays to look forward to

This is a common line about teaching but I don't think many jobs are as tough and the holidays are spent in prep so whilst not on show, still working.

I think SLT and HODs have a lot to answer for here. We have dropped all the scrutiny. We've been told to tick and flick mark only for KS3 apart from one termly assessment. SLT are grateful for warm, competent bodies at the front of the room teaching atm. Revision sessions are voluntary. I'm doing one once a week as I'm UPS2 so I feel I should.

It's hard and exhausting but I definitely feel appreciated. I would try and find a different school OP.

@RepeatSwan I suppose it's different for each teacher but many do get to have long holidays as well as prep from the next term. That's where I was coming from. Not anti the long holidays but I have friends who are teachers and say they enjoy the long holidays and some even go travelling in them.

So I meant don't think the grass is necessarily greener in other careers.
From what op has said I would say op might be better trying to change to a nicer school,

It is of course your decision OP. However, understand that the jobs market is VERY difficult at the moment.

I agree with this. Of course you should quit if you’re unhappy, but think about how long you can keep going without a salary. If you’re ok without a salary for a while then great, go for it.

I dont know why nobody is allowed to mention how bad things are in the job market right now ? It's the truth and it may help OPs decision.

YANBU.
Teaching was ridiculous (in terms of targets, paperwork, marking, etc) even pre-Covid.
Union, get signed off, or look at other jobs (tutoring, other schools, non-teaching) as PP have suggested.
I really, really feel for teachers.

I work in a secondary school (TA), also not having breaks, plus the children I help require close support so I’m next to them all day. I wear a mask for 6 hours, but that only protects them not me.

I have been handing out wipes at the end of the lessons and getting the children to clean their own desks and computers, they are old enough to take some responsibility for their own safety.

I’m shattered by the end of the day and the job I love is much much harder at the moment.

Many jobs are just as exhausting and draining and there are no long school holidays to look forward to

Absolutely but I feel teaching and all its demands (covid, paperwork, targets, marking in 5 colours, incomprehensible coding, taking work home, etc) stands out and I say this as an HCP. I couldn't imagine trying to keep 25-35 kids in line and teach them.
As for the 'long' holiday, I'm sure it's much needed to help prevent burnout!! I think teachers have to train and prepare during this time, anyway (correct me if I am wrong!)

I agree with detective - my school isn’t like this at all. No compulsion to do lunch duties and lunch is actually longer than previously as tutor periods have been removed.
Moving round school is hard work but that’s it. Try another school before you give up. X

Just leave. The same way thousands of other people leave jobs and do something else everyday. I never understand why teachers make such a huge fuss about changing their job. Nobody cares - if you don't want to do it just go.

I strongly urge teachers to try to get hold of FFp3 masks if they wear them at work. And gel/wash hands frequently.

I think I would play dumb to my line manager and ask for support in time management. Maybe mention stress.
You are doing a great job but confirm with them the expectation and how they would meet it.

I left...no regrets. Now retraining in NHS....less stressful and more rewarding....im even up for working in ICU when Covid wave properly happens. Safer than classrooms atm..at least we get proper ppe.

Nobody cares - if you don't want to do it just go

Stupid, stupid short-sighted bollocks.

There’s a critical shortage of teachers in this country, people should care and be hoping to keep them in the job not encouraging more to quit.

OP, you need to talk to your union.

@VampireBill

Just leave. The same way thousands of other people leave jobs and do something else everyday. I never understand why teachers make such a huge fuss about changing their job. Nobody cares - if you don't want to do it just go.

Christ, I didn't realise there were people as stupid as you around.

friendsoftheearth

It was always going to be hard going back after so long at home. It was always going to be a challenge with covid, and trying to keep things as safe as possible. The autumn term is always exhausting for many reasons.

But we were still working. Not in school but juggling kids at home, going in to school and spending ages setting work online (it takes longer to plan a lesson & not all of us just set generic cover).

It's not about going back to work. I'm happy to be back working but it's stressful at the moment. Everything is so uncertain and staff (not just teachers but all those other people who help run a school like office staff, catering, IT) are worried about working in small classrooms packed with 30 or so kids. Many classrooms don't have proper ventilation. My school won't allow masks.

It's really unpleasant on MN to see the negativity towards teachers. Most of us do the job because we enjoy working with children and like the variety - no two days are the same. Surely we're allowed to have safe working conditions? Just having a long summer hols doesn't mean that life should be unbearable the other 39 weeks?

I imagine a lot of staff will be off ill this term. Do you want your children being taught by stressed and ill staff or ones who are happy and healthy?

IMO the negativity towards teachers is borne of fear.

The fear is because teachers are, if we are honest, totally vital to our children.

The human psyche is complex but pretending not to care if teachers abandon our schools is clearly ridiculous. The hate shown to teachers comes from a vulnerability and a dependence.

It’s not negativity towards teachers

But it’s a call that it’s also tough outside of teaching , so to be aware of that before making any major decisions

I’m not stupid , as shit as my work is I do it from home . I can easily
Imagine that doing their role plus interfacing with a shed load of complex little humans and keeping stoic is hard as hell