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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To consider a complete career change?

3 replies

PeapodBurgundy · 27/09/2021 23:38

Brief bit of background, I'll try not to ramble. I always wanted to teach from being young. Went through school, did my A levels, and had a place at a good university to study joint honours in English Language and Sociology. I hated doing A-Levels, and found the whole process a huge struggle on every level; I happened across an NVQ Teaching Assistants course, and diverted onto that instead, as it felt like something I wanted to do, rather than something that was expected of me.

I completed a L2 and L3, and worked as a TA in a primary schools for a couple of years. I did then feel ready for uni, and completed a degree in Early Childhood Studies. I worked in Early Years for a few years, before then moving on to my Prof Grad (a teaching qualification for age 14+).

Towards the end of that course, I fell pregnant with DS, so didn't actually seek employment, I was a SAHP until DD started nursery, and I went back to teaching a few weeks before Easter. after approximately 6 years. I'm at the same college where I both did my teacher training qualification, and the associated teaching practice (they deliver some HE courses in partnership with the local university as well as the FE courses). I'm primarily teaching on the TA programme that I did myself (albeit an updated version obviously).

I'm a few weeks in to the new term, and it's become apparent that I'm not able for the job in the slightest! I'm making mistakes left, right and centre (missing little processes I should have completed throughout the application and enrolment process, structuring sessions poorly on one programme which is different to the others, and I didn't realise it was delivered in a completely different way to the other courses, missing bits of paperwork as I wasn't aware they needed to be completed).

The other major issue is my classroom management with one particular group is pretty much non existent. I've tried every tool in my arsenal, and I still can't get a handle on a select pocket of learners within the group. It' reached a point that one of the students was in tears today, and has asked to swap courses as she can't cope being in that group.

I feel like an utter failure, and I can't bare the thought of letting the students and my colleagues down. If it was one or two little things, then it would seem feasible to seek support for these to improve my skills, however it feels like I'm not even competent in any aspect of the job.

AIBU to consider going for a complete career change after spending my time since GCSE options building up to this role?

Any suggestions as to what kinds of roles I could even go for without a whole new degree?

I'm just feeling so inadequate and overwhelmed. I have no clue how to begin fixing the mess I'm in.

OP posts:
TimeForTeaAndG · 27/09/2021 23:41

Have you spoken to your head/senior teacher (sorry, not sure of the heirarchy)? Rather than pack it all in, does the school have particularly challenging students that you might need some other strategies for?

Biscuitandacuppa · 27/09/2021 23:42

How much support and information have you been given about what you are expected to do and the processes? After 6 years not working in education do you have a mentor?

Don’t give up too soon, ask for support!’

PeapodBurgundy · 27/09/2021 23:50

We have a curriculum manager and a curriculum leader (as a manager and deputy in our department). The CM is aware of the issues, as he's involved in disciplinary action against one of the students (already! :( )

I had a mentor, but she's working from home until her maternity leave starts, so she's not readily available to ask on a day to day basis.

One of the learners I'm struggling with has been in the college for several years, and has a reputation for being outspoken, but when it comes to the crunch, does do what they need to do, and are amazing in placement. The other two I particularly struggle with are also returning learners, who didn't have any significant issues last year, but are excelling themselves this year!

In terms of support, there's always people about to ask if I'm aware I don't know what to do, but that's not where I'm struggling for the most part. It's the bits I'm completely unaware of, that I don't know to ask about. Right before the students were due to start for the academic year, I found out I was supposed to be part of a shared drive full of documents we complete for quality control purposes. Most of which I'd done, but there were others that I was unaware of, so now I'm chasing my tail as I'm only planned and prepped for a week ahead of what I'm teaching (in terms of lesson materials, the module structure for the full year is in place).

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