AIBU to give a massive shout out to teachers

[Ihatefish]

This week I’ve been so amazed by how very hard the teachers at my son’s school have been working, they’ve had to deal with teaching classes where 50% of the pupils have turned up, making sure home schooling is available and working, answering questions from pupils and staff, making sure all the kids are happy whether in school or at home. They had no notice yet have done an amazing job. As a parent at home juggling work and homeschooling I really appreciate the enormous effort they are making in v difficult circumstances-so a big big thank you from a grateful parent to all the teachers on here -you’re amazing

They should only be in to supervise keyworkers. Live lessons can be taught at home for most teachers. THIS has been my argument with my Head today . Guidance is to work from home if you can (which I bloody can. Drop into any lesson ). Not go in and wash your hands and carry on and cross your fingers. Said as clinically vulnerable.

Imaginary teacher friends. You're right, teaching imaginary children is like winning the lottery. Because they have no nasty, bitter parents. Bog off back to a teacher bashing thread. There's plenty to choose from.

I've just come here to add my tha is to teachers.

Mine are now juggling children in school, setting, marking homeschooling and providing live lessons.

The pressure they must be under must be immense and im bloody grateful for their efforts.

@WiseOwlRelaxing

And I'm not ''teacher bashing''. It's not being a ck womble to be aware of the fact that we're all at risk. We're all working hard. Some of us are remunerated better than others. I would not have the nerve to complain if I were a teacher, knowing that the person who served me my sandwich in Spar had encountered 50 times as many people that day and who would, if they got sick, not be entitled to more than 3 week's sick pay if they were LUCKY.

What made you feel the need to comment this on a thread which is literally just thanking one profession? It’s so weird to feel the need to wheel out these arguments which no one even started in the first place. I don’t begrudge anyone appreciation for the job they do, nor do I feel that as a teacher I am The Most At Risk. It’s so shit to have SUCH a confusing, exhausting and depressing week, being complained and shouted at by parents when we are working absolutely flat out, and then come onto a thread like this and see people say things like this. Hope it made you feel good.

I honestly think my DC’s school’s HT should be in charge of the country. I’m sure there are plenty more like her. They have learned what worked and what didn’t from spring 2020. They have planned for contingencies which we all hoped wouldn’t happen but were ready when they did. They have carried everyone with them and explained why difficult decisions have been made. They have turned on a penny when required and stuck to their guns when required. They have done it all without enough money or staff. In short, they have outperformed this sorry excuse for a government at every turn. This parent appreciates you all.

User our head insists we are in ... despite the fact we can work from home. He even checked the legal implications and found it not illegal to insist us all in. His reasoning is that this way he can see consistency. They are also dropping in to zoom lessons to check on us!

Secondary school - outstanding and has made life so much easier. Primary school mediocre in the extreme. So my guess is teachers are like any other walk of life, some great, some shite, most doing their very best in difficult circs.

@Lemonpiano

They were told months ago that they had to be ready to provide high quality remote learning. They had plenty of notice and are now doing their jobs.

That doesn't mean dealing with last minute changes from an incompetent government. I am a teacher and not only have we been preparing, we've been teaching students in schools and setting work online and supporting well being of students in and out of school since the first lockdown with no PPE and lies from the government about laptops and data. Have some empathy.

We have to all be in. We have over 50% of children in some classes in school, we can't combine classes as it would mean they were overcrowded so every class still needs two members of staff, so everyone in!

“Teachers are doing a difficult job right now, thank you to them!”
“WHY do teachers think they are THE MOST AT RISK? Why do they think they are working THE HARDEST OUT OF EVERYONE?!”

My patience is literally non-existent for this kind of shit right now.

I knew how this thread would go...teachers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Yet everyone is desperate for schools to be open so these absolute twats can be with their offspring for hours every day. Another thread to hide.

Once the dust has settled with Covid I can't wait to see how big the teaching crisis is (for such a cushy part time job as well 😒) . 2 resignations in amongst my friendship circle already and so many more ready to go. Good, passionate, experienced teachers - worn down by the relentless shit that now completely outweighs the good.

Don't bother piling in with your teacher hatred, it'll be hidden within a minute.

Our primary has been brilliant a real improvement from lockdown 1 and the twinkl sheets we have had live classes which have worked well. Tweaks have been made for next week to make it run better but for week 1 I couldn't have asked for more. DC still desperately misses friends but in a shit situation it is good. Again I think our bright young head could do a better job than Williamson.

@WiseOwlRelaxing

Teachers carry on like they're the only ones who have to work hard and put themselves in a situation where they might catch covid. They are paid better than most people who work hard, paid better than most who have to take these risks, they get more holidays, they really are of touch with the average worker.

The TA's aren't better paid - their wages are low - and their exposure is high. Are they also "out of touch with the average worker?'

@GintyMcGinty Perhaps when your children actually start back after the holidays (this coming Monday) you’ll get more than worksheets. I know we’re certainly being expected to be live on Teams on normal timetable. Appreciate this won’t be the same everywhere.

Op please tell the teachers that!

They could definitely do with a lift

(Not a teacher btw)

@tempnamechange98765

It's one live a day, for whoever can join.

There's no children with a statement in DS' class. I'm not saying there aren't any with undiagnosed SN (I suspect my own DS is neurodiverse) but there's no additional support for anyone. What is on google classroom is what's available.

I'm sure the feedback of commenting "well done DS" takes all of 30 seconds per child.

I'm not saying teachers aren't working at all. But like the rest of the working population, it's less pressure to work from home!

How do you know there are no children in the class with a statement? It's confidential and unless you are privy to that information i.e. a TA LSA Governor, it is certainly not your business to disclose it.

@Seriouslymole

Secondary school - outstanding and has made life so much easier. Primary school mediocre in the extreme. So my guess is teachers are like any other walk of life, some great, some shite, most doing their very best in difficult circs.

I think the issue is more that most primary teachers are still in school every day teaching keyworker children so the online learning is effectively a second job! Secondary teachers have much fewer keyworker children so have more time to focus on the virtual side. But yes. Obviously there are people who aren't great at their jobs in every profession

They have done far better this time around, it has to be said. Last time I got a timetable once a week which basically just pointed me in the direction of websites and extremely loose ideas such as ‘paint a portrait of your dog’ . No contact from the teachers throughout via zoom or phone, nothing.

This time they have a daily zoom catch up and they set 3 substantial pieces of work a day so I don’t have to source much of my own stuff. I am cynical though and know it’s because OFSTED are watching this time...

Oh and I am a teacher on mat leave albeit college tutor so different. It is nice to see a positive teacher thread on here.

Because in my health board unless your child is quite clearly disabled you won't get a statement for a child of this age. The waiting list to even see a healthcare profession is over 2 years long.

I’m a secondary teacher, wfh. I’ve had about 85% of my classes with me, as has every other teacher in the school.

I’m not sure why a PP thinks this is less work than my usual job. It isn’t. Happy to explain why, if you’re interested.

Also zero idea why a PP is saying that teachers think they’re the only ones working, on a thread started by a non teacher 🤷🏻‍♀️Show me the evidence!!

Thanks OP! Lush to know you and your DC are having a positive experience in this less than ideal world!!

@MurrayTheDemonicTalkingSkull

I hoping it will for my high school pupil.

But my primary pupil has no chance. And she needs it more.

As a teacher reading this, it’s just lovely to see the supportive threads. This week has been really tough. Thank you 🙏

Posts not threads- I’m a bit tired 😂

[quote GintyMcGinty]**@MrsHerculePoirot What response have you had from the school when you raised it with them? Is it likely they will up their game next week now they’ve time to prepare possibly?

I am in Scotland so our school has known since mid December that we weren't going back and they have had months to prepare for another lockdown.

This is the plan.

From Facebook its pretty widespread in Scotland.

The school said this time though we can take photos of work completed and email that it and the teachers will give feedback.

I had been hopeful when I saw so many people in England reporting that this time they were getting actual interaction from teachers that we would get that too. But nope.[/quote]
Aren’t Scottish schools technically still on an extended holiday. Online learning to start from 11th January.

Tad harsh to moan about online learning not happening yet, isn’t it?!

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/nicola-sturgeon-announces-scottish-schools-23194054

Teachers, please ignore the negative ignorant tone deaf keyboard warriors here. I'd love to see them walk a day in your shoes. The majority of comments are so positive. I've had kids in the state education system for 10 years and whilst there have been one or two not so great ones teachers, the vast vast majority have been exceptional. Made a real difference to my kids.