To be sick of people asking about my pay and pitying my job

[Grrrrrroam]

I'm an agency teacher and with summer holidays approaching, it feels like everyone is becoming interest in my pay.

Next door neighbour who knows I'm a supply teacher was pondering about my holiday pay and how much I get paid as a supply.
I save up a pervtantage of my pay for summer.

Today, a family friend asked how much I earn a day and what my overall earnings are like.

I sometimes cringe when I tell people I'm a supply as I'm usually met with pity :

"Ohh I'm so sorry; are you applying for permanent jobs"

"When are you getting a real job?"

Etc.

Of course this isn't everyone but it's happened enough to make me now start to cringing.

I'm 29 and I love supply and I'm almost always getting longer term roles. I sometimes plan and I'm also happy to step in and help last minute in schools.

Of course many would hate supply as it is anxiety-inducing in terms of how much work will be available but I love it and it's as if people don't believe me when I say it.

I don't understand how someone can find me going into schools, teaching children, if I'm long term I plan, not a real job?

Don't really know where I'm going with this but I needed a vent

I also live in the North West in which primary jobs are extremely competitive. 90 applicants for a school I was in last week.

I thought supply teachers were paid more than permanent staff?

What I mean is, why would anyone feel sorry for you?

@MrsSkylerWhite

I thought supply teachers were paid more than permanent staff?

No, they are paid less. The daily rate may seem more but that include holiday pay whereas permanent staff are paid over 12 months

It is a disgrace really.

Simbacatisback

Ah, I see. Makes sense.

I assume people are asking because they are curious about how different supply pay is to a permanent position.

Just tell them it's built into your pay, which it is 🤷

I worked for three years as supply and nobody ever asked me what I earnt or felt sorry for me at all...I do a bit now/keep my hand in, but I would not be surprised in the current climate if they did now as for many, Covid screwed day-to-day placements: if that didn't affect you, you're lucky.

Supply do not get paid teacher rates unless doing a long-term placement and even then after 12 weeks. There is no sick pay and only recently have pensions come into the equation and nothing like a teacher one. You accept that for the flexibility and liberation of having to deliver only.

Cover Supervisors really affected the market.
20 years ago, you could command 135 pounds a day. Now you might have to accept cover supervisor rates of 70. Your top end hasn't changed much in two decades.

That said, I was still only taking 18k a year and petrol/wear and tear on car. That salary is similar to what a cover supervisor will get over 12 months. Teaching assistants may earn even less.

If you are happy with that OP then it matters not one jot what others think. Life-work balance, mental health etc But it is not much better than minimum wage and you sometimes have teens treat shit on their shoe better than someone dubbed 'supply'.

So whilst you may find their sympathy/empathy/pity condescending, and certainly I don't know the context, nonetheless if someone felt sorry for me I wouldn't hold it against them - I am happy in the choices I make and am proud of what I do. It works for me. But even I feel sorry for me at times!

Add to that some agencies didn't furlough.
I am not that shocked your acquaintances are asking if you'll manage.
Many I know are on UC at the moment.
There just weren't that many teacher days to be had as many schools were trying to avoid supply where possible. Long-term vacancy fair enough...but then it feels like permanent and all that entails anyway. Similar to going part-time or job share at half the salary for the same work.
I must admit OP I am curious as to your net over the last 9 months - only because I know how hard the North West was hit.

Urgh. for you

My uncle who was a very respected HT & my good friend who was a very respected teacher who has won awards for her work, both gave up & took on supply teaching work instead as they were fed up of how stressful their old careers had come, but had done it so long it was hard to change careers. Despite loving the work & the kids. They were FAR happier

I had no idea that people were this ridiculous or nosey

I'd flip it & reply with a question

"Oh, is that a question that's okay to ask now, I hadn't realised. How much do you earn then"

You don't have to answer any of their questions.
I have relatives working in childcare and they get much of the same. My niece was regularly approached by a mum at her nursery telling her she should get a better job and even giving her ideas. I would have told her where to go.
People can be very rude at times. This is where boundaries come in.

I have to say I’d be tempted to ask THEM how much they are paid, if possible with the same pitying look.
I mean who ASKS what your wage is

Otherwise what @Bargebill19 said.
The less you say, the better

A standard reply when someone asks a personal question that you don't want to answer where I live is "A bishop wouldn't ask me that".