Can a shy/quiet person make it working in a school?

[Carbaholic876]

I am qualified, somehow, but I feel like I've never quite fitted in apart from working as a secondary TA.
I don't manage to have the 'banter' with pupils that a lot of staff have.
I get sick of hearing the sound of my own voice, i don't have a very loud voice and also feel like I can't build strong relationships with other staff.
I do feel like a lot of teachers are outgoing, confident and exteoverted.
I end up being too 'nice' with the pupils and not respected.
Thinking of retraining as a nurse as I have worked in nursing homes a lot too and wonder if it's better suited to my personality.
Or am I just hugely lacking in confidence

I don't think you sound very suited to it tbh. Teachers need to have the confidence to speak up and take control of the room.

What are you qualified as? A TA or a teacher?

Presumably you passed all the teaching standards so can do the job?

I’m pretty quiet but have worked successfully in a number of schools over the years as a teacher. Not everyone is loud.

I am a quiet, shy person by nature and I certainly was when I first qualified. You can learn to fake it and to have a different persona at work. I think it is more about demonstrating confidence than being loud. Could you start in primary? I think it is probably easier to start working on these skills with younger children. Regardless, I would give it a go. Concentrate on preparing good lessons, check out some books on classroom management and give it a chance. It seems a shame to waste your teaching qualification.

I don’t think all teachers are extroverted (and you don’t need ‘banter’- you need to do what comes naturally to you) but you do need a level of confidence when dealing with groups of young people - that could come with experience though. I wonder if you’re underestimating yourself a bit.
Having said that, it’s always worth reflecting on whether a particular job suits your personality or not. Ultimately you do need to (at least try to!) enjoy what you do.

Thanks, I meant I'm qualified as a teacher sorry.
I went to a fantastic behaviour management course by somebody called Jason Bangbala, which gave me some excellent tips but still don't feel successful.
It's good to hear that there are other teachers who are also considered as quiet/shy.
I shouldn't care but I also worry the TAs in the room will be watching me and judging me thinking "She's rubbish at this."

It doesn't sound like the perfect fit but rather than completely retraining are there any other opportunities in education field utilising your current qualification and school experience in a more one to one setting or admin based?

I'm a teacher and very quiet and shy. I suppose the difference is that I've learned to perform - I think all teachers do this to an extent. My MrsNumberThirtyTwo persona isn't the same as real me, but that's the job; we're all a bit different at work, aren't we?

If you find this hard, though, and feel another environment is more suited, go for that - there's no point in persisting in an environment which is making you unhappy!

I can relate.
For years I thought that teachers all had to be the showy outgoing ones. Every lesson had to entertain and have some novelty.
I didn't fit with this easily.

But I realised that all kids are different and like different styles.
While some kids will enjoy the jokey banter, others will thrive with your calmer quieter approach. And a balance of all is probably good for a school.
It's ok to be different!!

I'm an introvert and a teacher. I'm shy with adults but can teach a class of 30 children fine. Are you primary or secondary?

Teachers come in all shapes and sizes. You don’t have to be loud or shouty or full of banter. Lots of good teachers are not like that. You do have to be confident and know what you’re doing.

The two ‘best’ teachers I know are very quiet and unassuming but excellent classroom practitioners and well-respected by the staff and pupils.

I'm a shy introverted person that's also a teacher. It's different being in front of a class of 30 kids. I don't like learning walks or lesson observations though. Would rather they stuck a camera in my room than have extra adults watching me :P

Try a SN school. The quieter and calmer you are, the better. Especially for autistic kids.

The only thing I will say about this is after a couple of years it was evident that there were a lot more introverted people choosing my subject which is traditionally for big mouths. (Drama) My quietness seemed to give them permission or a role model or something like that to join in.

It depends, I think. There are undoubtedly some teachers who are quiet or shy people, but who have successfully developed a teaching persona they put on in the classroom. The question is whether you can do that, but also whether you really want to. If you're still going to feel the same insecurities and shyness behind the mask, you will probably not enjoy ut at all. I'm not a big extrovert, but I am confident, and my teaching persona is not really any different from my actual persona.

Why not try primary? I was a TA in a secondary school and found it a very harsh environment - brash and intimidating teenagers and adults. A primary school is much more gentle and nurturing, I have lots of very ‘nice’ polite types of colleagues and they do just fine ☺️ Having said that, I’m sure you’d make an excellent nurse too - quite a difference in hours and pace of work though!

It's not about being outgoing and confident, it's about seeming outgoing and confident - fake it until you can make it. One school I was involved in got the drama department to do sessions with the NQTs if they wanted on developing a persona.

Maybe I’m old but I don’t think teachers should be bantering with pupils… should they? They’re not mates.

I think it depends on how stressful you find the classroom situation. If it’s going to make you unhappy don’t do it. Or look for related roles eg school careers advisor.

It sounds like you would make a good hospital teacher. You might find a lot of satisfaction in helping children who end up having to spend long periods of time out of a normal school environment continue with their education.

A quieter, more sensitive disposition would be a plus!

Is that something you might consider looking into?

I think that the school would be tense environment for me too.

What about retraining as a SNA and work in a special school if possible with more of one on one setting.

My DS SNA is quite reserved she is amazing and she's mainly alone with him.

If you have the time to retrain go for it, you'd make a lovely nurse.

Our school loads primary new teachers are quiet but great with the kids. They learn to deal with the parents over time and become more confident.
As long as your talking to the kids and build a rapport you don't have to be brash or loud

Primary might be better? I am naturally shy and reserved, although I do hide it quite well. I hate standing up in front of a group of adults or teens but am quite happy in front of younger children.

Have you thought of moving into sen teaching support? Our school senco is amazing. Very quietly spoken. Does intervention in small class and 1:1 support learning. Kids adore her as she is so calm

Shy and introverted HT here.

But I have a school persona that is more outgoing and lively. It can be exhausting though.

When I step out of my office I mentally flick a switch to turn on the character.

Thanks for these encouraging replies.
I suppose my confidence was knocked because I once got let go from a primary school on day 1 for being 'shy' with pupils. But it maybe just wasn't the right school.
I can look into other settings that would require my teaching qualification