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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I am not at all cut out for teaching

62 replies

Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 13:23

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?

OP posts:
Goldilocks99 · 02/12/2021 13:56

Because it makes no sound so you can move on before the last person dragging it out stops 'clapping'.
They, in my experience, stop quicker when it's silent so less of a spectacle.

But I do agree that policy sounds like a time waster and potential for bullying.

RubyRedBerry · 02/12/2021 13:57

I've worked as a cover supervisor for the last 7 years at the same high school. It was really difficult to start but it does get easier. Supply are generally cannon fodder tho, even the nicest classes can play up when they have 'supply'. Once the pupils get use to you being there constantly behaviour will get better for you.
When they have a teacher the teacher will be 'teaching' for a good portion of the lesson. with cover work sometimes it can be a case of 'read the notes and answer the questions', pupils are not engaged and get bored quickly. i always try to find a video on youtube that goes with the work in this case, it makes the lesson less boring and if all else falls...blackmail! behave, do your work, be quiet and i might let you have a game of hangman or something for the last five mins.

If it doesn't get any better ask the agency for primary maybe?

KatieKat88 · 02/12/2021 14:01

I'd try a different school, a round of applause sounds ridiculous! Being a teacher rather than supply or cover supervisor automatically gets you more respect with the kids. I taught in my last school for 10 years, had a great relationship with my own classes but kids would even try it on with me if it was a lesson where I'd been put on cover in another department. However I knew the policies and enough kids per class had seen me around and about the school to get them to listen and know that I would be able to follow through with any rewards/sanctioned. Reputation is everything with kids and at that school it generally took at least a whole year of you working there to build it up with the majority. So don't automatically rule out teaching based just on this experience (but it can be a hard slog to get where you want!)

HaveringWavering · 02/12/2021 14:02

I don’t understand. Are you a qualified teacher or not? You say you are, but then say you only worked as a TA/LSA before.

Surely if you were qualified you’d have been trained on techniques to control classes and given the chance to observe others doing it, and feedback on your own practice teaching?

Is this primary or secondary?

lifeissweet · 02/12/2021 14:05

I did supply for a few years and it is different. I used a lot of little tools. Firstly, ensuring that I get on top of them as they are coming into class, so they are greeted at the door and told to sit down quietly as they come in. No smiling. Authoritative voice.

Then learning names double quick. Using their names changes the tone somewhat. There are usually a few names you need to get down extra fast, as they will be the ones that will challenge.

Then make sure there is no dead time for messing about. I know BSL, so would teach them a few bits in between activities. This doubles as silent time as they're not allowed to talk and sign and the same time.

And yes, expectations, expectations, expectations. Learn the name of the head/ deputy/ head of year and refer to them as if you know them. Give them the message that their behaviour can be escalated and that you are part of the school team (if only temporarily).

That's a couple of things off the top of my head.

It's mostly about how they perceive you. If you can emanate the feeling that you are in control, they will pick up on it, even if you feel far from it under the surface.

Be an actor. Use a teacher persona. Don't let them meet the real you until they've got to know the teacher version and you have them in line.

Original poster
Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 15:00

I am not lazy in lesson planning as I don’t plan the lessons, I just teach the cover work set for me, but I mean each lesson follows a very rigid way of doing things

The clapping thing is definitely a whole school policy as i have observed other teachers doing it

I am qualified as a classroom teacher and somehow passed the PGCE. The problem is that I qualified years ago and went to teach abroad, I never completed my nqt. So no school will take me on now to do my nqt year as they want teachers who’ve only recently qualified, even supply agencies will only pay me as a cover supervisor.

I appreciate all the advice given, I still don’t think it is for me and that I’d be better in a TA role. I hope my agency Will understand

OP posts:
Freddiefox · 02/12/2021 15:02

@Fritilleries

No. Plenty of qualified and eager trainees out there.
I’m not sure that’s true!
Original poster
Cinammonroll123 · 02/12/2021 15:04

What I mean by the professional language was the endless speeches usually given by slt or heads of year ‘I expect more from you now you’re in year 7 this is not how a pupil of our school behaves etc etc’ and it’s just all a bit repetitive but I understand why they have to do it

OP posts:
Ionlydomassiveones · 02/12/2021 15:07

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Headteacher415 · 03/12/2021 07:03

Some schools are very very strange places, and applauding every answer makes it sound like you are in one of those.

Teaching is not the kind of job you can drift into and wing it. If you've just ended up there because opportunities came up, then yes, teaching is probably not for you.

If teaching is your lifelong dream, then I'd encourage you to try another school which doesn't have formulaic lessons and clapping kids before you write it off.

DeadoftheMoon · 03/12/2021 07:07

@Liverbird77

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.
This.
dreamygirl25 · 03/12/2021 07:16

If you are a qualified teacher you should not have accepted cover supervisor work. It tells local authorities it's OK to cut corners and pay less. It sounds like you are being taken advantage of. Are they paying you CS rates or teacher rates?

The school should be doing more to support your class management. It probably just needs a few tweaks. It is secondary right?

SavoyCabbage · 03/12/2021 07:17

My advice is to leave now and get your NQT year done. Either as a teacher or on supply in a long term placement.

I'm a supply teacher and there is a massive teacher shortage at the moment. I've never known anything like the situation that we are in now. When I get to a school they are almost weeping with joy that someone has come. And scouting you out to see what your availability is and whether you are looking for anything longer term.

You can do your NQT as a supply teacher if the school agrees. There are so many maternity covers at the moment it's terrifying.

ohfook · 03/12/2021 07:19

A round of applause every time someone answer a question isn't usual nor is competitive strictness or popularity. I wonder if it's an issue with the school you're in. It might be worth trying a different school before you make a final decision.

dreamygirl25 · 03/12/2021 07:21

@Cinammonroll123

I am not lazy in lesson planning as I don’t plan the lessons, I just teach the cover work set for me, but I mean each lesson follows a very rigid way of doing things

The clapping thing is definitely a whole school policy as i have observed other teachers doing it

I am qualified as a classroom teacher and somehow passed the PGCE. The problem is that I qualified years ago and went to teach abroad, I never completed my nqt. So no school will take me on now to do my nqt year as they want teachers who’ve only recently qualified, even supply agencies will only pay me as a cover supervisor.

I appreciate all the advice given, I still don’t think it is for me and that I’d be better in a TA role. I hope my agency Will understand

Sorry just seen this - can you contact ewc (or English/Scottish where ever you are version) and ask how you can get QTS? I think I know someone this happened to and I think she had to do a certain amount of catch up to solve it.
boomshakalacka · 03/12/2021 07:29

Are you employed by one school or doing cover across multiple schools OP?
The thing about behaviour management is that it's all about routines and expectations. Students behave for me because I am clear beyond doubt of what I expect. If I have to cover a lesson for someone else, with students I don't know/teach, this is much harder and I sometimes feel like a crap teacher (I'm not!).
The best cover supervisors I've seen have been those who work exclusively in one school and so can get to know the students and have their own expectations of them- even though they are moving around classrooms. Oh, and if there are behaviour issues, they do their own detentions too so that they are seen as teachers with authority and not just an adult who defers the issue to a more qualified person.

ohfook · 03/12/2021 07:30

@Cinammonroll123

I am not lazy in lesson planning as I don’t plan the lessons, I just teach the cover work set for me, but I mean each lesson follows a very rigid way of doing things

The clapping thing is definitely a whole school policy as i have observed other teachers doing it

I am qualified as a classroom teacher and somehow passed the PGCE. The problem is that I qualified years ago and went to teach abroad, I never completed my nqt. So no school will take me on now to do my nqt year as they want teachers who’ve only recently qualified, even supply agencies will only pay me as a cover supervisor.

I appreciate all the advice given, I still don’t think it is for me and that I’d be better in a TA role. I hope my agency Will understand

I was in this exact same situation but found the opposite. The problem is you have to start on an nqt wage and work your way back up. So essentially they're getting a experienced teacher for the price of an nqt. Schools are skint at the minute so it's not a bad proposition for them.
MarieG10 · 03/12/2021 07:51

I have employed someone this last year who left teaching. They were working most evenings and and weekends and realised this was not likely to change so made a life changing decision to leave. I'm really happy as although the job they now do is nothing to do with teaching per-se, their skills are really useful.

I can see a lot of potential in them for promotion in the future but having chatted to them, it is apparent that the lack of development (aside from teaching delivery) has been shocking so managerial skills are limited. But I can see the potential and I have agreed a development programme with them over the next 12 months and I will then look at a promotion (I haven't told them that bit)

Pottedpalm · 03/12/2021 07:55

I wouldn’t be asking questions if there was to a round of applause each time. Can just imagine that being drawn out; excited clapping and cheering.. nah, not for me.
As others have said, it can take time to get established. I did ten years in a difficult school; the first few were hell on earth but after that the pupils realise you are sticking around and save their worst for the new/supply teachers.
It’s all about acting. The old advice was ‘never smile before Christmas’. I have known colleagues who could do this, they came down hard from the start and didn’t relax. They had few problems.

Happy1982ish · 03/12/2021 07:57

Who cares if you’re letting down the agency
You’re letting down the children
And you’re not happy

Well done for having the insight that not for you
TA role sounds great

sjxoxo · 03/12/2021 08:00

Do what’s best for you. You don’t owe anyone anything. I’m not a teacher but I don’t understand why anyone would want to do it! Especially today with the pay conditions and stress etc. Xo

Happy1982ish · 03/12/2021 08:04

@sjxoxo

Do what’s best for you. You don’t owe anyone anything. I’m not a teacher but I don’t understand why anyone would want to do it! Especially today with the pay conditions and stress etc. Xo
I disagree You owe the children you are a teaching a good education And you are not providing them with that But you have the insight and strength to admit that it’s not for you - and that is a positive
sjxoxo · 03/12/2021 08:10

@Happy1982ish what don’t you agree with?
You are obligated in any role under contract until you say you no longer want the job.. I think the op is at that point. I think one of the issues today with public sector roles is that it’s been peddled as doing ‘greater good’ and it shouldn’t be a charity service for the public good, it’s op’s career. I think this notion of ‘heroism’ of working in the public sector is a way for our government to undervalue and underpay key workers; teachers & healthcare sectors especially xo

NovemberWitch · 03/12/2021 08:16

One of the good things about working for an agency is that there is no ‘letting them down’ if you are selective about work.
It’s a transaction, they have hundreds on their books and you trade a day of work for a day’s pay. If you say no, that’s their problem to resolve. I work on a daily/weekly basis, there are schools I won’t work in and others that book me months in advance.
Your only responsibility is to be the best you can for the time you’re in the school, and for that you need to be confident.