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.

yet you said that teachers have literally said it on the thread yet are unable to prove it.

Not being defensive just factual.

and now apparently its that teachers hate their job and that is what is making them cry.
Just making more stuff up.

I agree! I love my job, though. It’s literally the best thing ever. It’s everything to me. It just gets on top of me sometimes because I cry at the drop of a hat when it’s the time of the month.

I think unfortunately there is a trend in a lot of professions over the past 10 years or so to be continually expected to do a bit more every few weeks without any progression/pay to recognise it. People leave and don’t get replaced and remaining staff have to find ways to work more efficiently. I’m not surprised that if you have that to deal with and the pressure of meeting targets that you are not really in control and you have to see first hand how shafted kids are by underfunding that you cry out of sheer frustration.

Am sadly seeing it at work too (project manager on it systems). I’ve cried three times at work in 20 years. First was when I’d had some awful personal news and needed to let my manager know and take time off and the other two were both in the last 12 months and due to massive stress. I’ve seen at least half my team really upset and on verge of tears if not actually crying this year. It’s not normal and it’s awful it’s happening. In my employer’s case I think some of it is definitely down to the toll covid had on mental health but it’s also just relentless pressure. I feel like that Encanto song is my theme (like a drip drip drip and it just won’t stop)

@FrippEnos

A teacher did say it was the hardest job. Their point was clear.

A teacher said that it was the hardest job that they had done.

Context is the key. Especially when you and others are saying that "teachers say that it the hardest job ever".

I think all the 'teachers don't have it harder than anyone else' responses are also missing the point that this is a parenting site and teacher wellbeing affects children. Your children spend almost as many of their waking hours with their teachers as they do with you. Highly stressed teachers do not perform as well, their stress can affect children's wellbeing and their learning. Teachers mostly leaving within the first few years mean they don't get to build up specialist knowledge into sen etc that can upskill the whole staff. Bitchy comments about the value of teachers hurt children.

I have a non teaching support role in a mainstream secondary. Student behaviour is atrocious, it's much worse than the past few years. Teachers are flat out doing above and beyond and teaching is a small part of their roles if I'm honest, with behaviour management, pastoral, assessments, paperwork etc. A lot are struggling.

@FrippEnos

Yes

Context

The context being the pp was replying to some saying that teachers only think its hardest because they don't have a frame of reference of other jobs. They've had other jobs. Teaching was the hardest

Anyway I think we've circled this roundabout enough.

Some teachers do seem particularly precious about how hard teaching is. I cant say I've come across it on many other discussions about roles (oh, except maybe sahms actually)

Its awful so many teachers are routinely crying at work if its a genuine reflection and genuinely solely due to the job.

Unfortunately it's not going to get better any time soon

Class of 28. 5 children being assessed for clear literacy difficulties. However a definitive diagnosis will not change anything and there will be no additional adult input.

2 children with significant ASN. One has assaulted me three times in a fortnight. Children are scared when this happens. They have to be evacuated from the room several times a week. . He is back in class the next day. Every time. Many children struggling with emotional and social issues stemming from lots of different things. Families struggling and needing parenting support. Budget cuts mean no LA in class. There is no money for resources. We haven’t had poster paint since before Xmas. If I need a resource for a lesson I need to buy it myself. If I don’t then the children miss out. I work in a ‘nice’ area. Too bloody right I have cried. This is the hardest job I’ve ever done. I’ve been teaching over 20 years. I had a different graduate career prior to retraining. Every single day I know these kids are being failed and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. It’s heartbreaking.

I work in quite a competitive industry and I regularly have found people crying in the toilets over the stress of the workload/pressure.

My mum's a nurse and she also sometimes cries from some of the heartbreaking things she has to deal with.

I don't think it's right at all - but I also don't think this is a problem unique to teachers

I work at a successful inner city comp. It is relentless. We have supportive SLT and generally responsive kids.

But still so much pressure. This leads to tears, burnout etc.

Having said that I think the pressures from working eg in the NHS must be an absolute nightmare. Dealing with life and death.

This thread makes me really sad. Firstly-so many people crying at work. Secondly - some posters bitching over semantics. It's not a race to the bottom.

I cried today. I'm not a teacher.

I was at home, but that is because I am on annual leave, had I been at work I worried have cried there (work related).

Work is crap for a lot of people at the moment. It shouldn't be.

Reasons I have cried in work this last year

1. frustration that my third book look feedback of the term said that some of the children in the class had not written enough - despite 75% had written more than expected. Had they bothered to go further they would have identified logical reasons why this is the case but there's no arguing with SLT, so I got a slapped wrist.
2. Anger at how a pupil ranted at me and called me all the names under the sun, mimicked me trying to speak to him and laughed in my face. SLT didn't turn up and I just had a barrage of abuse for 10 minutes. Had to teach the pupil the next week with no reparation and he smirked at me the whole less (this was the bit that made me cry)
3. being spoken to by SLT because a parent called me a bully for giving her DD a detention for cutting the hair of the person sat in front of her. I was asked if I was bullying the girl and to watch how I was with her.

A colleague was threatened today, a parent said they better watch out as they knew where the teacher lives.

This thread is not about a race to see which profession cries the most - it's based on a teacher survey so is about teachers

I think this is key. Although teaching is a job not solely a vocation, most of us are teachers because we want to help young people learn. But we can't achieve this anymore. Lack of SEN funding/support, jam-packed curriculum leaving no space for learning for the fun of it, unexperienced and useless SLT, unrealistic demands and hours and lack of general funding mean it is impossible. You simply cannot feel you have done your best anymore because of so many contributing factors. You have failed. You will fail tomorrow and forever more until you leave. (Or education is properly supported and funded but which is more realistic?)

We needed to remember that teaching attracts teachers.
They are people that need in excess of 12 weeks holiday per year and for all 'face to face' work to be over by 3.30pm (except parents evenings; don't worry, they'll tell you about those).
Compare hours, holidays and experiences to nurses, doctors, social workers, care workers. Similar (or worse?) stress but MUCH longer in the firing line every day/week/month.
Crying at work because of being overwhelmed is never ok but I think teachers are particularly prone to stress.

I think this will be typical in many public facing roles sadly. I think it's a sign of how tough people have things at the moment. Parents are expected to have kids and both be in full time work and have full on careers. It is bloody tough with kids. Add to that that this country is very unequal and hard work literally gets you nowhere here It's no wonder people are burnt out.

I cried at work last week cos of burnout. Had the same in other hands on public sector roles too. It's tough dealing with the public, especially awkward and defiant people. Not having the resources to do your job well is very demoralising too.

Teaching is a terrible job. The workload is too heavy and it destroys your life and your health. That’s why teachers are leaving in droves. Those who can’t leave, cry.

Yeah well I 'need' the holiday due to having two disabled children myself so unable to hold down a job where I would need to work in school holidays but y'know still want to be a productive member of society. Why the fuck I bother I have no idea sometimes.

Did you never fancy teaching?

Oh do fuck off. Just like banking attracts money obsessed megalomaniacs and so on. I wanted to be a teacher because I’m passionate about learning. I see the point in having a wide knowledge and I’m good at getting kids to see that too. I believe teaching opens doors for children and that teachers truly do make a difference. Not the holidays or the 3pm starts.
I work in excess of 60 hours a week. However I’ve always worked long hours and I’ve only previously cried once. Something is terribly wrong in the system but the solution costs money so it’s never going to change now.

@Pumperthepumper:
"Did you never fancy teaching?"

Back in the day when I did A levels (1995) you needed 2 Es to go into teaching - seemed a bit too easy. I went into City law which required As. I've worked many all nighters and cancelled personal plans to deliver deals over the years. 100 hour weeks were not unheard of. Part of my job involves teaching junior colleagues - but no, not in the 12+ weeks holiday per year, gold plated pension if you teach at state school sense of the word.

Why don’t you do it and get the holidays then?

@herefortheparty holidays and pension?

Oh boo fucking hoo. Sure you were well rewarded.

Oh honestly don’t even rise to it.