To say there are so many of us now that feel like this

[Enoughnowstop]

www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-teacher-schools-i-love-my-job-i-cant-keep-going?fbclid=IwAR2PdWYSIoIHed0m_ljs-DvncLM1Pf0min7NaJxPvcj8klTgzPj_3Gftp_Q

I know there will be loads of teacher bashing as a result but it’s how so many of us feel. I don’t know what can be done as I want schools open and functioning but the fear that it will be at the expense of my health and/or that of my family. And at the same time, the persistent disconnect with colleagues, the just getting by, the making do...it’s all too much some days.

Thoughts are with my colleagues around the country today.

It does seem like everything contradicts everything.

Schools are safe, children are spared
Now it's in school everywhere.

Masks don't work according to the science in may.
Now masks are mandatory yet cases are rising.

Encouraging people to be sensible and not mix yet everyone is being told to eat out and support cinemas etc. Then people moan about people being out.

It isn't the teachers faults. It's the government for changing their story. They should never had said twelve weel turnaround. Never should have denied masks then decided they are needed. Never should have shut the schools all summer then opened them all up in Autumn. We'd be further ahead now with more knowledge if all children completed the final 6-8 weeks last year. It would have been safer in the summer too.

There's no vaccine and less than a million people have had it in the UK. How long before this is over? 65 million people at least need to catch it still in the UK.

Meanwhile everyone's lonely, skint, bored, worried, struggling.

Similarly to @thegreylady, the teachers in our school have had kettles removed so if you don't bring in a flask, you get no hot drink from 8am (when they get in) until 4pm plus when most leave. The canteen doesn't do hot drinks as it's open to students and you can't take the risk with 2000 students wandering around with a cuppa. Same thing with going between classes which means the teachers don't have a base where they can store things so being able to go to the teacher's cupboard to get an extra resource out doesn't happen. Books have to be left for at least 24 hours before they are marked, but teachers have to be aware of how much each child has taken in at every lesson obviously.

Here's an example of school at the moment. My DS's science teacher is teaching his class double science (which means either physics and chemistry or chemistry and biology or biology and physics), followed by double science, followed by science, followed by science (ie one of the above)...from period 1 to period 4 one day each week. That saves the kids moving rooms too often. It's tough on the kids but the teacher has to switch from teaching physics and chemistry to teaching biology and physics, then switching to just chemistry, then just biology (for example). His teacher is doing the most of the week's lessons in about 4 hours straight up (they have another two sessions back to back later in the week). She has to ensure every child is on board, all understanding, without the 'down time' they get usually to absorb the information between lessons. Then she has another 2 hours with them later in the week where she's 'mopping up' queries and moving them on. Because next year they'll start exams and she has to get them up to speed.

On top of that she's having to set work for those who are shielding or on isolation at the moment and has to mark their work. To the same level so that when they come back they are up to speed. Plus keeping in touch with those parents to ensure they're pushing the kids who aren't at school so they don't miss out.

Repeat for all subjects...and for all years. One of DS's friends was sent home suspected Covid last week (luckily it was negative) and we've had at least 6 kids sent home in the past four weeks (all negative thankfully) plus one member of staff was confirmed with it. But the teachers are in front of classes with no masks or PPE for her or the kids for every session. And some of our SEN students are very 'in your face' - not their fault but trying to get them to step back takes longer than dealing with the issue!

As for the 'educated people who can step into the shoes of teachers who have had enough' @ReneeRol. I don't want 'educated' people who have never done a teaching course to teach my child. He deserves the best in education, not some bod who decides they think they can teach because they understand geography or maths. If you've ever tried to help your kids with homework you know how often that goes wrong - times that by 30. No thanks. I'll keep the teachers we've got.

It is really hard for teachers - especially school leaders and secondary school teachers (in terms of protecting themselves from infection). I appreciate their work just as much as I appreciate all the frontline workers. That's all.
If your head isn't complying with the rules then follow up with your union. And follow the rules as best you can.
I'm not sure now is the time to change careers. Bit of a precarious situation for many businesses/organisations.
It will get better in terms of covid.

Enoughnowstop I do understand but while you were recharging your batteries over our glorious summer I was working flat out in full PPE ( which offers limited protection when you are working les than 12 inches from a patients face while producing virus carrying aerosols) trying to catch up on treatments we were forced to postpone over lockdown.
During lockdown we still had to go into work because due to GDPR we could not work from home. Trying to look after emergencies over the phone. This was particularly distressing in the first 6 weeks when absolutely no face to face provision was available in a discipline that just cannot be done over the phone.
As a professional health care provider it was soul destroying that we could not get people out of pain. I had sleepless nights worrying about people I have treated for years.
I am fully aware of how stressful your job is but moaning on a forum where there are many healthcare professionals who have witnessed something close to Armageddon, don’t expect much empathy.

@XEbonyrose1X

It does seem like everything contradicts everything.

Schools are safe, children are spared
Now it's in school everywhere.

Masks don't work according to the science in may.
Now masks are mandatory yet cases are rising.

Encouraging people to be sensible and not mix yet everyone is being told to eat out and support cinemas etc. Then people moan about people being out.

It isn't the teachers faults. It's the government for changing their story. They should never had said twelve weel turnaround. Never should have denied masks then decided they are needed. Never should have shut the schools all summer then opened them all up in Autumn. We'd be further ahead now with more knowledge if all children completed the final 6-8 weeks last year. It would have been safer in the summer too.

There's no vaccine and less than a million people have had it in the UK. How long before this is over? 65 million people at least need to catch it still in the UK.

Meanwhile everyone's lonely, skint, bored, worried, struggling.

no no

herd immunity is not a viable plan. For a lot of good medical reasons.

We need proper measures to keep people safe. We do not want 65 million people to catch the effing bug.

including in schools

The current situation stinks.

But we will get through it, as we do with other life changing events, because we have no choice.

You have to do what's right for you and your family.

@Angrymum22

That teachers are walking away from their jobs isn’t a concern to you?

You expect my empathy for your job situation but I shouldn’t expect any in return because my job involves a long summer holiday and yours doesn’t? Is that even logical on your part?

Schools are safe, children are spared
Now it's in school everywhere - what's your evidence for this? Ive read transmission is school is extremely low and there is a lot of self isolating in most schools but the vast majority of tests are negative.
Important not to scaremonger.

Honestly teachers have moaned about this on here more than anyone else. So many people have had a shit time through this, and still are. I haven't seen a single thread created by a carehome assistant, a doctor, a nurse etc, a police officer, a shop assistant, I could go on, yet here is another moan.
I couldnt continue with that article after reading her moan she can't sit in the staff room for a chat, and not getting her free period during the day like she usually gets 🙄.
Of course you are entitled to feel the way you feel, but I haven't seen anyone other profession moan nearly as much.

But the issue is the sheer numbers who are leaving. Why do parents not care about that?

What exactly do you expect parents to do?

I bang my head against the wall (metaphorically) when articles of this type are published. I am a teacher and solipsistic views simply fuel antagonism against the profession.
Everyone had extraordinary pressures now and many would love my job. I teach in a relatively deprived area and teach three secondary subjects, so see about 210 pupils a week in class. However, unless you are terrified of the ‘disease’ it is perfectly ok! Yes we and the kids sanitise hand on the way in and out of class. I delegate the squirting, a much sought after job😀 ditto squirting the desks and wiping them down. Behaviour is better because they want the reward of doing the cleaning!!!!!
So hassle but nothing that can’t just be built into the lesson. Whereas people I know (high unemployment/low skill area) would willingly face the ‘risks’ I face and worse but will lose their homes and are stressed way beyond anything those of still employed can imagine.
I love teaching and this is just another challenge I am lucky enough to be able to adapt to. I refuse to allow any mention of the ‘c word’ in my lessons as is just a cop-out when teachers indulge themselves by setting work on it. I teach to help the kids escape from their lives into something better. ( which sounds cheesy I know, but it is fab when a disaffected Y10 boy ‘gets it’ and is suddenly proud that he is my go-to to help the others with the passé composé (and gets the squirter reward) 😀

Jesus, this thread.

Teaching is awful right now. There is no other profession exposed to so many people without ppe or social distancing, whose every safety concern is dismissed as moaning.

All of you having a pop should be ashamed.

Just to add, I said transmission in school is low but can understand why teachers are worried.
I think you're getting a bit of flak OP because you didn't say from the outset that you know lots of people are suffering whether it's from the stress covid adds to their role or the financial impact - and not being able to feed their families.

Teaching is terrifying at the moment.

My DD's maths teacher, english teacher and tutor are all off right now.

I don't think schools should be fully open. It isn't necessary. Some can educate remotely. Some should have school open for vulnerable/key worker provision. But there is much that can be done remotely. It doesn't work for everyone but it does work for (quite literally) thousands of children.

We seem to have a one size fits all mentality in this country. Our school surveyed all pupils re tech. I know my 2 secondary kids would be OK with remote education so that's what should be happening. Some wouldn't. So have them in schools distanced with the space freed up by those that can do it from home, reducing the risk to everyone.

It is strange, given that we are not communist, that we are fixated on everyone getting the same. It might be equal, but it is certainly not fair. Not on teachers, students or parents. Or grandparents who are now afraid of their own grandchildren.

No we don't want herd immunity. But what's Boris thinking then. We live like this for another few years? How many toddlers/children and teenagers will miss those years developing set skills and doing certain things in the years they will never get back? How does this affect more pressing health issues that are being ignored.

How about elderly people who have a few years left. Do they just spend it alone with no days out and no family visits?

This is protecting us maybe but it's also damaging us. Damaging our children. Killing people literally because the world's stopped for covid.

How are cinemas, theatres, bars, restaurants going to survive. People don't want to wear masks to do simple things.

What about the dating scene. How are people supposed to build up relationships and things when they have to wear masks and can't visit eachother. People can't get married as they want. People can't see their new babies in the family. People are lonely.

Shall we just cancel everything for the next few years.

Kids can't have birthday parties
Halloween is somewhat canceled
Christmas shows and markets are cancelled.
School plays are cancelled
Sports days cancelled
School photos cancelled
Activities and clubs cancelled.
Parents evenings are on the phone.
Parents can't go into their children's schools.
School meals are cancelled.

The older generation can't do their hobbies and interests anymore.
Bingo
Social clubs
Sporting events
Church fetes
Cake/book/plant sales.

If it stays like this for much longer people will be miserable. We can't be robbed of living long term. Especially when most people are barely affected by itand get mild cases. I'm by no means saying it's not bad. I'm saying people need to socialise, be happy and have access to life!

Our kids don't deserve to miss out for years on simple joys like playing with other children at the park.

I couldnt continue with that article after reading her moan she can't sit in the staff room for a chat, and not getting her free period during the day like she usually get

So staff unable to communicate isn’t an issue? Unable to offload properly or support distressed colleagues and friends? And ‘free periods’ are few and far between and are a lifeline for planning and marking that is now added to the home workload that is already heavy. The fact that is pushing some staff over the edge isn’t a concern to you as a parent?

School transmission isn't low. It's going asymptomatically under the radar.

Scaramoomoo
Great post, thank you. Your attitude is quite inspirational. And I'm sure your pupils are benefitting from it too.
If others find the stress too much then they'll perhaps have to leave - we all have different strengths.

School transmission isn't low. It's going asymptomatically under the radar - is it? How can this be proved?

"Teaching is awful right now. There is no other profession exposed to so many people without PPE or social distancing, whose every safety concern is dismissed as moaning."

I have several GP mates who are seeing patients without proper PPE.
I know people working in supermarkets and food supply who are coming into contact with 100s of people a day who aren't don't have PPE.
I know of one mate's wife, nurse, who's entire unit have caught Covid from the patients that they're looking after.

I mean, I could go on... but what'd be the point? Teachers, on full pay, in secure jobs, who have had months off, and are working with the least affected, least vulnerable grp of people - kids- are still on here constantly complaining about their lot compared to others.

Interestingly I’ve heard that applications for teacher training courses are going up. Despite the undoubted challenges, it is seen as a secure job, at a time when so many jobs are threatened.

[quote Itisbetter]**@herecomesthsun* I’m not sure. It doesn’t seem to have got the message across because you still seem to believe STEM teachers are in scarce supply exactly because they have excellent maths and science qualifications and can do other better paid white collar jobs like these. They will be in a relatively good place to diversify, switch career, even migrate etc., even in an economic downturn.*. The market (job) is absolutely flooded with people with just this skill set. Most jobs advertised are receiving avalanches of applicants. Are you under the impression that only blue collar workers are struggling to find work? [/quote]
@Itisbetter

You couldn't actually be more wrong.

The market is absolutely not flooded with highly qualified stem graduates. I work in stem we're hiring and good candidates get jobs if not with us elsewhere. People with good degrees in stem are always in high demand. Just look at all the tech stocks at the moment (it's not hard just google it and look at the what the markets been doing). Even since Febuary the stocks have been absolutely been soaring, the tech industries are doing absolutely brilliantly out of lockdown.

There is actually an issue in banking that they can't recruit the top candidates as they're mainly being swallowed up by FANG, HFT, data science. There's also huge numbers of jobs in green energy (just look at tesla's stock it's quadrupled in the past few months). Statistics jobs in the civil service are also hard to fill. You can get in with only a 2.2!

Meanwhile most physics teachers positions are unfilled and eventually get taken up by someone with a degree in biology.

@Mrsmedley

I have several GP mates who are seeing patients without proper PPE.

They are doing most their apps on the phone. When I went to see mine I wore a mask as did she, she had windows open and door open. I sanitised hands on way in. She wore a mask, apron and gloves... although I’m unsure what an apron does? I was in and out in 5 Min.

I know people working in supermarkets and food supply who are coming into contact with 100s of people a day who aren't don't have PPE.

The vast majority of people in shops are wearing masks; as should the workers now. They have screens around the tills and people are keeping a distance. If I worked in a shop and a customer came too close I would step backwards

I know of one mate's wife, nurse, who's entire unit have caught Covid from the patients that they're looking after.

Yes, that is shit. They should have proper PPE on.

Op, it doesn't matter how other people feel or whether other folk may feel they have it harder than you.

You're allowed to feel your feelings, to feel the way you do. I sympathise.

@XEbonyrose1X

But what's your solution? If you don't have restrictions hospitals will be full. What do you then suggest we do? Refuse entry to anyone over 60 suffering from breathing difficulties? They'll still turn up at hospital so how do you prevent them getting in? Security guards to age check them then prevent them entering? It's all very well to say lets just suck up the high death rate but how do you bury all the bodies? Where do you put people as they're dying?

Will people be any happier living in a society where the local park has become a temporary mortuary and their granny has been left dying outside a hospital than one with bloody irritating restrictions?

I'm not actually suggesting that one situation is better than the other I just despair at the naivity of saying 'we need to get on with life' without any attempt at actually trying to deal with the practicalities of what that will involve.

Scaramoomoo - fantastic attitude! I'm not a moany teacher but many in my school are. We need more like you!