To think it's not normal for over 35% of teachers to have cried at work this term?

[Postapocalypticcowgirl]

Whenever we talk about teacher working conditions, teacher strikes etc on here people always point out that lots of others have really stressful jobs. But this can't be normal in any job, surely? It's not even people who've cried about work- just people who've cried at work.

I think this is really indicative of the stress a lot of teachers are under, and the real reason a strike is on the cards. But it's hard to strike about workload/stress/behaviour/parental and SLT expectations- whereas striking over pay is legally straightforward.

I see it constantly, teaching is no doubt a difficult job but so many others are.

The worse one I saw was a pre school practitioner comparing the hours they did outside of their core hours (term time only 9-330 with a short set up/pack away time which was paid of course) with junior doctors wanting to strike over their hours/conditions. It's completely insensitive and also not a race to the bottom.

Yes teachers have a tough job, worse than some, not as bad as others. By all means work with unions etc to improve conditions but absolutely unnecessary to compare or suggest it is the worst.

Do you know for a fact that they are qualified? What level are they currently working through for modern language, for example?

You might be happy with it but you’ve already said you don’t know the answers to any of the questions put to you. So if you found out that actually, 50% of your kid’s teaching time is actually taken by a TA and they colour in for that time would you still be happy?

Do you support a teaching strike?

@Pumperthepumper

I know for a fact they aren't taught by a ta or colouring in for 50 % of the time.

I dont know the educational background of all their teachers. I dont think that is a reasonable thing to know.

Their teachers have a teaching qualification and are employed to teach the subjects they do.

I regularly see what work they are doing, what progress they are making.

I have no concerns

And again. That is not relevant to the question asked.

How much time out of their week is taught by a TA?

None

How certain are you?

I am not even I support any strike, that wasnt the point of my post, I was just saying that it's ludicrous to compare teaching hours in any form to a junior doctors hours and anyone who does has no idea what hours the they do.

Ah, so no striking. What do you suggest instead? How can teachers ‘work with unions’ - what’s the solution?

You asked if their education was compromised by the teachers workloads

not what I asked.

If teachers aren't capable or qualified to do the job, they shouldn't be doing it

there are literally thousands of qualified teachers teaching subjects they didn’t qualify in.

Positive, why?

It just doesn't happen.

They have days they have a different subject teacher but never a TA. That I'm aware of.

Absences obviously happen. But they are covered by other teachers or HOD, Deputy head etc.

Maybe that is half the problem with perception?

Not all schools or areas are utterly shit or facing the same issues.

My kids primary school teachers were not overworked or particularly stressed

Their secondary school teachers don't seem to be either.

I wouldnt want their jobs but nah. I dont think it always 100% over worked and stressful.

Although certain schools/areas and roles do seem to be much much worse than others and like most other public sector fields the govt expect miracles for no money.

@Givenuptotally

do you not see the impact of teacher’s working conditions on your child’s education?

That's what you asked?

do you not see the impact of teacher’s working conditions on your child’s education is not the same as do you not see the impact of your child being taught by someone unqualified or incompetent

So, let’s say you’re ‘positive’ (that you’re aware of, so not certain but whatever) and your kid’s school is fine, fantastic. Unlikely, but you’re not aware so I’m happy to go along with it - absolutely zero issues at your kids school. Phew!

What about the other schools where the kids are being let down by teacher workload?

School staff are good at putting a positive face on it for children and parents.

Do you know for a fact that they are qualified? What level are they currently working through for modern language, for example?

great example. Now, you do that for all the shortage area subjects - maths, physics, chemistry, biology, DT…….. PE teachers teaching maths they didn’t pursue beyond GCSE? Someone with a biology degree teaching A level physics? Someone who studied German at A level teaching A level? They’re all qualified teachers

@Pumperthepumper

I didnt say there were zero issues. I highly doubt any school has zero. Dont try to imply that I'm not aware of what is happening with my kids education because you don't like the answers

What about them?

Nothing I can do about it. Its up to the govt, management team and parents of those schools to address that

@Sherrystrull

Not according to the op.

Sorry I am multi tasking and clearly can't type. I am not saying I am supporting striking. I may well support it if it means improving their working conditions and improving the education of our children, same for doctors however that is not what this post is about. It is about the constant comparisons of how bad teachers have it, I don't believe they do in comparison to many professions. No one should have to strike TBH though as conditions should always be appropriate.

@Givenuptotally

You dont seem to rate competency of your colleagues much.

That is concerning.

yes, it’s concerning. You should be concerned. Subject knowledge is crucial.

@@Givenuptotally

So far it's not been an issue for us

🤷‍♀️

Shite teachers are obviously a big part of the problem then, eh?

You realise that the children taught by the non-specialists will be pitted against children taught by specialists in exams, don’t you? That the playing field is far from level for many reasons but that good and independent schools are now going to be the only ones able to attract specialists in some subjects given the absolute dearth of people even training in the first place?

You’re not aware though, you’ve said several times you’re not aware.

You don’t think teachers have the responsibility to address it?

Which brings us back to the op.

Maybe so many are so stressed out because they're rubbish at their jobs?

Or are teaching subjects they have little knowledge of?

Well, they’re not. And since teachers are leaving in droves, you need to make the decision to support a teaching strike or accept that your kids will be spending a huge amount of time being babysat by the lowest paid in place of an actual education.