To be fed up of teaching - I made a mistake I think

[Anoabc1]

Got a complaint from a student last week on Friday so spent all weekend upset and thinking of it (I suffer anxiety and depression so very usual response for me). I spoke to student in my return as it was a silly misunderstanding snd nothing too important (I didn’t tell her about a homework task). I showed said student where this information was then explained to her that her complaint made to headteacher upset me and next time could she speak time. Complaint was obviously written by parent as a 12 year old wouldn’t write words like “teacher is incompetent” etc. I thought issue was resolved then I’ve had another complaint from the parent saying I made the child upset by talking to her abs how dare I speak to her. I’m so fed up feel like quitting. This is not the only thing it’s just last straw

Some people are dicks.

Like those parents

I would not share your stresses with the student or their family, just to be clear.

Can I just be clear I did NOT share any stress with student or parent! I literally made one sentence of not liking that she email head rather than feel she could speak to me, I literally see her every morning!

Stop please making it sound like I was acting unprofessionally I’m clear now I wasn’t. Without making it obvious my additional role with the “child” I assume any teachers here can figure out further why it was off/ or even odd on her part. My insecurities making me doubt myself but more I’m thinking

It's ok to be upset but kindly please develop some resilience. There are very few jobs where you won't be complained about and a 12yo or their parent will be minor compared to many

@Anoabc1

I would not share your stresses with the student or their family, just to be clear.

Can I just be clear I did NOT share any stress with student or parent! I literally made one sentence of not liking that she email head rather than feel she could speak to me, I literally see her every morning!

Stop please making it sound like I was acting unprofessionally I’m clear now I wasn’t. Without making it obvious my additional role with the “child” I assume any teachers here can figure out further why it was off/ or even odd on her part. My insecurities making me doubt myself but more I’m thinking

I think you misunderstood this post. 😊 The poster had recommended you be open... But then added this to clarify she meant with work not the student, she was trying to avoid creating a misunderstanding on her suggestion for what you do next, not accuse or misinterpret what you've already done /said. I think you'll see that if you check back.

Thanks everyone! I’m feeling able to move on now and focus on future and learn from the little incident! Thanks and goodnight

@Anoabc1

I would not share your stresses with the student or their family, just to be clear.

Can I just be clear I did NOT share any stress with student or parent! I literally made one sentence of not liking that she email head rather than feel she could speak to me, I literally see her every morning!

Stop please making it sound like I was acting unprofessionally I’m clear now I wasn’t. Without making it obvious my additional role with the “child” I assume any teachers here can figure out further why it was off/ or even odd on her part. My insecurities making me doubt myself but more I’m thinking

You need to read my posts again. That is why I quoted my first post and I said nothing of the sort about you.

You're lashing out at me when I clearly took your side which makes me think maybe you are the problem after all. Good luck OP.

I'm glad you got some supportive posts here OP in between some frankly dickish posts. My friend left teaching for similar reasons - the constant drip, drip, drip by the same types of parents and children. He never looked back.

Definitely put your own wellbeing first. Life is too short to do a job you hate when you can do something else that's more enjoyable.

Parents are often the hardest thing about teaching! The complaining parent has got to you because you care about your job and about your students. That doesn't make you a poor teacher, it makes you a teacher with one disgruntled student and parent.

Can you change what's happened?
Undo the complaint by a known complainant?
Unlikely. This may feel like the end of the world right now but it's been a long term, everyone's feeling a bit fraught and energy levels are low so it'll hurt more now than at the start of the summer term on a sunny day when it's still light when you get home. Another thing that might help is to think about what you would say to a colleague in a similar situation..

Hopefully writing it down on here has helped you to process it but going forward, you might find it helpful to talk things through with someone at the Education Support Network.

If you are lucky enough to have a staffroom, try mentioning these sort of issues there. I can usually tell when a younger teacher than myself is wanting to sound out something that is bothering them. When phone calls to difficult parents have gone wrong (often because the teacher has become upset) there has always been someone who will take charge if wanted, take over the phone call even. If not a staffroom, a mentor can help. It is tricky to work out the best response sometimes. Some parents will complain about anything. I expect they do with everything, not just school related.

I hope some of the advice on the thread has helped you feel better about things. If the parent is well know around the school for this sort of thing I’m sure it won’t reflect badly on you.

You mention using your free time to help students, especially the pupil in question. Is this 1:1 with her? If so, I’d maybe rethink that going forward just for your own protection now you know how quick the parent is to escalate a misunderstanding over homework.

@esloquehay

I sincerely hope your subject is not English Language.

I’m a teacher of English and I think you are out of line for that comment. Are you this rude to everyone you have a discussion with? OP is dyslexic, which is exactly why people like you need to wind your necks in before being so snide to strangers.