Being a primary school teacher is INCREDIBLY HARD or AIBU 🫠

[BoneTiredandWired]

Today alone as a teacher I have: Intervened in three fights. Had multiple restorative conversations. Given up both my break and lunchtime to sort out arising issues. Unexpected fire alarm chaos. Taught music and German and had a real laugh with my class. Saw real positive developments of my kids abilities. Shortly later spoken seriously and told off my class.
Dealt with multiple crying children who don't want to leave my class next week. Sang and coordinated our summer concert songs.
Written the last of 28 individually written reports for all my kids.
Tidied up and emptied my entire classroom.
Had a 2 hour after school meeting.
Cried on the way home out of sheer emotional exhaustion and having to be strong carrying the emotions of so many throughout the day.

I ❤️ my kids so so much, but teaching is HARD and so so much more than people think it is

People telling teachers to quit seem awfully happy for their kid not to have a teacher.

I don't think they are. I think they just realise that's the only thing that is going to cause something to change. When there are literally no teachers as they've all given up

See, I think they don't realise that their kid doesn't have a teacher. Because there's an adult in the room.

People know the NHS is fucked because when they can see the waiting lists for operations and the queues in A&E to see a doctor.

If they made kids who didn't have a teacher join a waiting list for a teacher instead of sticking them in a room with any warm body, parents would be horrified at the lengths of the waiting lists.

Thunderqween says, 'And why they don't just quit if they don't like it.'

Er. They are.

44,000 of them last year. Read that again. 44 THOUSAND teachers decided that enough was enough. That doesn't include the teachers who retired.

Perhaps people should start asking why it's so shit to be a teacher in 2024 and believing the teachers who are trying to tell you.

I could tell you exactly why but you'd accuse me of moaning.

It's already reached the point where kids do not have a qualified teacher in certain subjects. My family member had to teach herself the A Level syllabus as the teacher had quit and they had zero applicants for the job. That is not the teacher's fault.

None of that is because of teachers moaning. It's because of a shitty, underfunded sector faced with insurmountable problems and whenever they try to change or challenge anything, it's considered to be 'moaning.'

Well, you answered your own question. People won't complain if they're happy with their work conditions (or at least satisfied). Teachers are not,have said so for years but no one is listening. They're responsible for educating a whole new generation. They need to be listened to. Most teachers love teaching, not the crazy bureaucracy taking over their working and non-working hours.

Perhaps people should start asking why it's so shit to be a teacher in 2024 and believing the teachers who are trying to tell you.

I believe them. And I fully agree with their decision to quit if they don't like it.

Yeah that's fine then. They should quit. It sounds like it's a profession that's making so many people's lives miserable. They need to be selfish and quit. They only get one life.

The waiting list suggestion above is spot on. If every pupil who didn't have a teacher (not an adult, but a subject specific qualified teacher) was sent home and put on an 18-24 mth waiting list I'm sure people would start to notice.

I just don’t understand this. It doesn’t really matter what job you do, what matters is if it effects you so detrimentally then don’t do - find an alternative career.

Many jobs are stressful and draining. I’ve worked in many sectors (I currently work in education) and there are always people who moan constantly about work for different reasons- justified or otherwise. Nobody forces anyone to do a specific job do they?

life is far too short!

Obviously not BU. Very hard work!

You are so right, I taught primary for 10 years and then left as I was just exhausted.

Sounds reasonable. A lot of people have 2 or 3 careers in their lives

It doesn’t really matter what job you do

However it does really matter if no one wants to do the job of teacher.

An educated workforce is vital for the whole country.

It matters holistically- not to the individual necessarily.

A fried of one of our kids has been a primary school teacher for several years - she not only loves it but thrives on it - loves the long hols,

I guess its like almost any job, you can make it easy or hard, a lot of it is up to you

I worked for a couple of private employers then the council - most that worked with me said it was "hard work." But me me it was easy as I know a lot more than the job entialed and I'd come from the private sector and that was hard!!

if someone feels draine, etc - adjust the way you work or get another job!!!

I would agree with this. I am constantly reading Teachers posting how difficult their job is, how they are leaving in droves blah blah. I am sure it is hard but there are many many jobs that are equally as tough but I barely see them complaining like the sheer number of Teachers. Why is that?

So you just assume they are lying or exaggerating? On what basis? 40 000 teachers quit teaching last year alone (in spite of their much-envied long holidays, good pension and 'finishing at 3:30'). Or are you assuming they go and try other jobs and realise how wrong they were and that teaching is fine after all? Well, oddly enough, they don't seem to come crawling back after finding jobs outside of teaching. Why is that?

Because once you'd left teaching coz you thought it was shit why would you go back? It's not teaching or not teaching there's so many jobs out there

Sounds reasonable. A lot of people have 2 or 3 careers in their lives

Yes, of course it's fine to change careers. Unfortunately, the reasons that teachers change careers are the same reasons that people aren't exactly queuing up to take their places.

Exactly- I meet many teachers in my work from lots of different schools. Sure, it’s demanding, stressful at times but the vast majority really enjoy their jobs. The good bits outweigh the bad. However if an individual is experiencing stress from their work which is detrimental to their physical or mental well being they need to change that, if moving to a different school is not an option it’s time to consider a career change.

Exactly. Why should the individual struggling with their career path carry on struggling with it? That's not fair on them.

Because once you'd left teaching coz you thought it was shit why would you go back? It's not teaching or not teaching there's so many jobs out there

You clearly didn't understand the point my post was addressing. Never mind...

A bit of both, I think.

Of course it's obvious but that doesn't mean OP has to put up with it

I really want my kids to have great, inspiring, educated and wise teachers.

Good ones quit.
The standard of the ones coming through is low.

Any complaints by teachers is met with scorn and overall parental support is at an all time low.
Who’d do it!?