To think I am not at all cut out for teaching

[Cinammonroll123]

I’ve been doing some Cover Supervisor work which is different I suppose.
It’s absolute chaos. The kids like me, but respect me, certainly not.
I follow the behaviour policy but don’t know the pupils and just find it harder.
The lessons I’ve had have been a struggle to get the class to be quiet, the majority of them will do the work but even though I keep insisting on quiet or silence, it never lasts.
I have had teachers from next door coming in to complain about the noise and it’s embarrassing, I just feel like an idiot.
Teaching seems to have some sort of competitiveness about it, about who’s the strictest, who the pupils like the most etc.
I don’t like the way that it’s almost like following a script, every lesson has to follow the exact same formula and the same activities, there’s no room for flexibility.

Having to use certain language too, it’s all about being a ‘positive role model’ and setting the right example.

In the school I’ve been at, the entire class has to give a round of applause every single time someone answers a question, which just takes forever.

I agreed to be a long-term supply teacher but I know it’s not for me. It’s for January, I don’t want to let my agency down but I would much rather do TA work, I don’t think I’m cut out for this at all. Do you think it would be too late to explain to them that I no longer want to do it?

No. Plenty of qualified and eager trainees out there.

Erm, yeah ? I am also qualified

A round of applause every time a pupil answers a question? That's totally bizarre. What a farce! Sorry, doesn't answer your question. Teaching doesn't sound like it's the right thing for you, but it might be completely different in another school. How many schools have you worked in?

How long have you given it? I don't think that, in general, skills like controlling a class are hugely respected as part of the job of teaching, but it's a very important skill that you can only really get with experience.

If you can possibly do so, leave and don't t look back. It is a terrible job. I hope I will never, ever have to set foot in a classroom again.

Yeah, it’s insane haha.

I have worked as a TA/LSA in one school which I really enjoyed, left after 2 years due to the line manager sadly.

I think I’m just not firm or strict enough so I need to be honest with my agency ASAP

I would look into becoming an education officer for a charity eg a conservation organisation or look into becoming a tutor who gives lessons privately to individuals or small groups. If you like teaching but find this school/ controlling a class difficult there's other places that value your skills and experience. It might suit you more and allow you to build your career to fit your strengths.

You sound a bit down and looking at all the negatives, I would not take on a role that you don’t feel up for it’s not fair on you or the kids
You need a more resilient out look, learn from the good helpful teachers ignore the competitive knobs and change schools if that schools vibe doesn’t suit you, the clapping thing would piss me right off

But you sound depressed and maybe you should deal with that proactively

It is sooooo much harder being a cover supervisor / supply teacher than an established teacher the children know well. It’s not comparing like for like at all, so I wouldn’t necessarily let it to put you off. Also, schools vary massively, and the ‘script’ thing isn’t particularly normal.

Being a role model and using professional language tho - that’s a pretty basic expectation! And would also be true for an LSA.

Clapping every student answer is just nuts.

I'm guessing this is secondary?Have you been employed full-time before?
Kids will always try it on with a supply teacher and cover supervisors. I've done both so speak from experience. Supply work is much more difficult in terms of maintaining order!

I’m guessing the kids are clapping answers to waste time rather than of being a school policy?

I agree that being a cover supervisor is harder than teaching your own classes in many ways. It’s crowd control and the kids know it.

Agree that cover supervisor job is likely to be harder/less enjoyable than a teacher’s. Perhaps give it a chance. Could you consider a level other than secondary?

It is sooooo much harder being a cover supervisor / supply teacher than an established teacher the children know well. It’s not comparing like for like at all, so I wouldn’t necessarily let it to put you off. Also, schools vary massively, and the ‘script’ thing isn’t particularly normal.

I was going to say the same thing. I manage classes so much better in my own classroom and also when I have known them a while. They always mess about more for supply/cover.

How old are these kids? Are they taking these rounds of applause seriously because my old schoolmates would have just seen it as an opportunity to take the mickey

Cover supervisor is a tough role. I've done both that and my own class and I would say cover is much harder to establish behaviour management.

A few things you may have already considered:
What is the school behaviour policy and do they actually follow it? Often people who do cover end up with behaviour issues because everyone else is inconsistent with behaviour management and they are seen as too strict for trying to implement it.

Establish ground rules before any learning. if necessary spend whole lessons implementing expectations and setting up reward systems. Happy to give examples of reward systems via private message that work well for cover.

That said, teaching is a hard job, regardless of how you do it and it's not a personal failing if it's too much for you. In reality it's a job that takes over your life.

I'd give it a bit. I'm a good teacher, great with discipline, positive behaviors, high expectations, strong student output in class, even some clapping for answers at times, and I'm just doing four weeks of cover for a Year 8 group and it's miserable. I've only taught them three times so far, and while it gets incrementally better each time, the environment falls well below my personal standards. I'm an established teacher in the school, so I get to go back to my usual classes and know it's not me, iyswim, but it's still not fun. Just because it's not going as you'd like yet doesn't mean you're not cut out for teaching. Keep maintaining your standards. Keep demanding the good behaviour you want. Keep expecting that the students respect and maintain not you but the learning environment of which you are a huge part of.

Having to use certain language too, it’s all about being a ‘positive role model’ and setting the right example.

What’s your issue with this?

Cover supervisor in a secondary school? There's no amount of money that would tempt me to do that, being disrespected by a bunch of teenagers all day? Not for me.
It's a thankless task.

Are you trained to teach in a classroom? You don't sound as if you are and I understand why it would not be for someone who wasn't.

I'm also getting a vibe that you're lazy in your lesson planning as you seem to despise activities that you're required to include. Children don't respect that.

Also you could introduce cloud clapping, depending on the age of the children. Doesn't make a noise(imagine you are clapping but there's a big marshmallow in the way) so won't slow lessons down or give opportunities to attention seek.

In the school I’ve been at, the entire class has to give a round of applause every single time someone answers a question, which just takes forever.*

WTF?

That's definitely not the school for you, but doesn't mean it's not the career for you. Children always act up for the supply teacher.

@Goldilocks99

Also you could introduce cloud clapping, depending on the age of the children. Doesn't make a noise(imagine you are clapping but there's a big marshmallow in the way) so won't slow lessons down or give opportunities to attention seek.

How will that not slow lessons down? Surely the kids are still “clapping”.

Are you a qualified teacher? Your post isn’t very clear on this point. A CS role is very different to teaching and even if I covered a class in my own school I wouldn’t expect them to be completely silent for the whole lesson. That’s not the norm in most schools.

I did my teacher training many years ago and classroom discipline was barely covered. It probably is today, as it's crucial for effective teaching.
This book might be helpful.

Take Control of the Noisy Class: Chaos to Calm in 15 Seconds (Super-effective classroom management strategies for teachers in today's toughest classrooms) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/199934510X/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_KT2B4R0KBH374XBB6X4A?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21