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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should teachers be allowed to have hobbies?

129 replies

teacherwithhobby · 17/12/2022 13:41

First of all, I'm not a school teacher, but teach at an FE college. I don't teach music, but I play piano and sing in my spare time, do local open mic nights. I don't see that I'm doing anything wrong in this. I'm fully dressed when I'm performing, my music isn't anything overtly sexual, just a woman at a piano, and performing and meeting others around this hobby is part of my social life. I feel like this is looked down upon by colleagues, that I should be 100% dedicated to my work all the time and have no hobbies at all. I don't see that my hobby interferes with my job, I'm not a big drinker and wouldn't have anything on a work night if I'm playing somewhere in any case. Similarly, it doesn't cause any mid-week late nights. I've often felt like you aren't allowed to have any hobbies if you are a teacher, that it's looked down upon by some who are full-on martyrs. For example, I mentioned going for a run and my supervisor sniffily said 'I don't think you'll have time for going on any runs this week'. Really? I'm not allowed to take 30 minutes exercise in my day outside of working hours to take care of my physical and mental health, I should only ever think about work all the time? Seeing as relationships and children take up a lot more time and exertion than playing the piano or going for a run, should people be allowed to have either of these if they are teachers, or should some sort of vow of chastity be taken? Do any other teachers out there experience this, or am I in the wrong, I should 100% be dedicated to my job all the time, no hobbies allowed?

OP posts:
Caravanheaven22 · 17/12/2022 19:42

I don't believe a word of this.

teacherwithhobby · 17/12/2022 19:50

Caravanheaven22 · 17/12/2022 19:42

I don't believe a word of this.

Bizarre!

OP posts:
FrippEnos · 17/12/2022 21:04

I only know two types of people that say this about teachers.
The first are parents who believe that we should be on call 24/7
The second are uptight teachers that think others should be there to put their mistakes right because they can't be arsed but are very happy to push the blame on others.

JennyJenny8675309 · 18/12/2022 02:01

LikeTearsInRain · 17/12/2022 17:29

Based on what teachers comment on here I’m surprised you’re able to make so much time for this hobby without falling behind on lesson planning, marking etc. Perhaps your teaching is suffering as a result and your colleagues can see it.

Oh, FFS. You’re kidding, right?

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