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’m not surprised. This has been the toughest half term I have done in 17 years of teaching. I’m PT these days and would never, ever go back to full time. It is just not workable with any kind of life.

I think the issue at the moment is behaviour. I teach in an Outstanding school with incredibly supportive SLT and the best head teacher there has ever been. And we are still creaking at the edges because of the daily verbal and physical abuse staff are facing.

I entirely blame social media culture. Many kids spend so much time online in deeply divise bubbles full of crass, pornified content that they no longer have the first clue how to behave decently. So many have no kind of attention span that it is almost impossible to get them to engage with work.

And the issues from home are now so much more complex than they ever were. The proportion of kids who have seen or dealt with violence and neglect is staggering. And they then bring that into school with them.

I doubt 35% of many other types of industry have cried AT work in the last 7 weeks. Spout your whataboutism all you want, that figure is huge and problematic for all of us.

We are facing a future where there is nobody qualified to teach our kids/grandkids. Sorry scrap that. Many people will be qualified, there will be nobody willing to.

Here are the issues:

Massive class sizes - up to 33 is not uncommon in my LA, and it’s creeping into the private sector too.
Mixed abilities.
Low EHP, meaning kids with sever educational needs are in mainstream classes, struggling hugely.
High welfare concerns.
No resources.
Very little PSA, and only used in extreme cases.
Lack of SEN support.
And then the very basic:
No investment in school buildings so kids are often cold/damp while trying to learn.
No suitable outdoor space during breaks.
Lack of funding (or staff) for eg breakfast clubs
No technology funding in an increasingly technology-based world.

I bet I can think of more.

I don’t have time.

This is what I am talking about. Hopefully people on this thread will read this and take notice. Posting stupid memes on FB is not helping IMO and completely misleading to what is really going on.

And

What difference does it make though? What are you going to do with this information? Be a bit more sympathetic to your pals?

Incidentally, a teacher posting on Facebook what was really going on at their school would face disciplinary action,

@Pumperthepumper

Mmmmm.

What's the difference between saying the govt have shafted teachers and the education system and are failing children and causing teachers distress to the pout they are leaving in droves v

I work harder than anyone else and never get a holiday.

There's a reason threads about teaching strikes and nursing strikes go differently. (For example)

There's a reason threads about teaching strikes and nursing strikes go differently.

Most recent teaching strikes thread was very supportive. Perhaps you are behind the times.

Which teacher says they never get a holiday?

Ive said several times on here that teachers need to stop relying on public sympathy. We’re not going to get it, and the only way we’ll see real change is if we vote with our feet.

@noblegiraffe

I'm not.

Its not me moaning about perception on threads

🤷‍♀️

Sigh

I already know all this, that's the point I am trying to make. I am sympathetic with them, just as they are with me, it's not a bloody competition, just because others have it hard doesn't mean they don't. You have chosen to take a lot of what I have said out of context.

If you already know it then why did you ask for it?

Then FB is not the place to be posting anything, especially stuff that is completely untrue.

I do think teachers would have public sympathy though.

I think if you want people to stop posting shit memes on Facebook you’re in for a very difficult campaign. Much better to think ‘ah, my poor friend must be struggling a bit’ rather than ‘all teachers think they’ve got it harder than anyone else’.

Then FB is not the place to be posting anything, especially stuff that is completely untrue.

Facebook is famously where people post things that are completely untrue.

It's also famously where people get wound up by shite thinking that everything is aimed at themselves when probably someone posting shitty teacher memes is aiming it at other teachers, not you.

My husband and I work full time. We get 5 weeks off per year. We never get time to do big jobs like decorating and have to use half our holiday to visit family.

My parents were both teachers and I'm never allowed to moan about my very stressful job because they always had it harder.

I remember Mum spending time in the holidays catching up with jobs and decorating. We used to spend 3 weeks away on the summer, often other holidays at Christmas and Easter. We camped or stayed in cheap places.

Now they are retired on good pensions and still moan about how badly paid they were.

No I don't have much sympathy for moaning teachers.

I did and was very frustrated that I did and it will be seen as an emotional weakness. I have been teaching many years and have never felt so monitored, judged, criticised and not trusted. It is hard going to work and thinking about what you will be criticised for that day.

Oh and I am actually a pretty good teacher with a history of high observation levels and records from Ofsted and others.

Anyway this is what has made me decide to look for a job outside of teaching. Something I never thought I would do.

Assuming that you are not front line public sector like teachers.

My parents were teachers- it was nothing like it is now- even 20 years ago. Like NHS staff and social workers (and lots more jobs) teachers are at the front line of societies issues.

When was the last time at your work someone:
swore at you
abused you on social media
hit you or kicked you
spat in your face

I wonder if the survey had asked how many teachers have not been hit/injured by a child this half term what they answer would be. I suspect almost none.

Why don't you become a teacher then?

Most independent schools opt for the infrequent peer sherry around the piano inspection

That's pretty insulting. Most independent schools are inspected by ISI. Having been through inspections in both independent and state schools, I was subjected to far more observation by ISI than by Ofsted and the ISI send in more inspectors and stay on site for much longer. It is important that parents who are spending thousands on their children's educations get a full and fair picture of what exactly they can expect to get for their money.

I've no desire to be a teacher. Just explaining why many people don't have much sympathy.

I do think some jobs are easier, but then some are just as stressful.

Teachers won't win any friends to their argument by telling people their job is easier than teaching. It winds them up big time!

This is why they get so much stick on mn.

Fine for you to do it though?