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

There are two separate issues here.

1. The bigger picture which is there is a shortage of teachers and difficulty with recruitment. Of course this matters, but this is a problem which is beyond our control as an individual. This is an issue which needs to be addressed by government.
2. Teachers who are struggling as individuals- obviously this varies vastly depending on where you teach and day to day obstacles you may face.

The point is teaching is not for everyone, if it’s too stressful then don’t do it! There are actually plenty of teachers who do just fine and are happy. Obviously no one hears about these as the only teachers who post are the ones who are struggling.

The point is teaching is not for everyone, if it’s too stressful then don’t do it! There are actually plenty of teachers who do just fine and are happy.

No, this suggests that the problem is with the teachers who are finding it too stressful and not with the job, because 'plenty who do just fine'. Survey data shows that's not actually true and there is really a problem with the job.

Ok I’ll bite, I’m a primary teacher and I am utterly exhausted. This year I have been bitten, punched, hit scratched and kicked. Sworn at daily.

I have had 3 different roles due to having to cover for colleagues then a colleague not coping with a class so I had to take over that class. I have been bullied so much by SLT that I had several weeks off with my mental health and if I hadn’t of secured another position I was resigning at the end of this term.

We are told by SLT to play down the violence to tell parents “he’s had an unsettled day” “aka ripped my hair from my head and tried to bite me several times” children on iPads all day long to keep them “calm” we are not allowed to send a child out of class as that is exclusion yet no one asks us if we are ok when we are covered in bruises.

I disagree, but that’s based on vast experience with people not necessarily stats

😂

I'm a qualified primary teacher with 20 years' experience. The reality is this isn't needed any more. You can be a "teacher" now without even a GCSE.

It’s ok, you seem to base the vast majority of your posts on statistics. Not everyone has such black and white thinking. It is ok for people to have different opinions

These are now very normal recruitment agency posts.

Mate, I'm a maths teacher. Trying to tell me that your anecdote is more accurate than statistical data isn't going to wash.

The point is teaching is not for everyone, if it’s too stressful then don’t do it! There are actually plenty of teachers who do just fine and are happy. Obviously no one hears about these as the only teachers who post are the ones who are struggling.

You'd think that the sheer numbers of teachers quitting the profession would make it clear that there are things wrong with the job itself. There are certainly teachers who cope better than others, or who are lucky enough to be in schools which are easier to work in (like me). That doesn't mean that the general workload and conditions in teaching are reasonable. And it is stopping people from applying to be teachers. Plus many of those who do apply to train either quit their course, go and teach abroad or quit teaching after a couple of years.

@AllProperTeaIsTheft 20 years in for me, planning to retrain...

I’m not your mate. Just have a different opinion to you.

Mate, some opinions are backed up with evidence. Some are backed up with an 'I reckon'.

I’m not saying there aren’t issues with the job itself of course there are. I’m saying everyone has a choice.

I think most jobs are a lot more complicated and difficult than they seem to others. Hope you are OK.

@BoneTiredandWired I get it. I left primary education at Christmas and now teach in an SLD/ PMLD school. My class are ks2/3/4- based on stage of learning and behaviours, not chronological age.

It’s amazing, I love it. Yes, the day is more intense and full on, working out the physical altercation is harder when neither child is verbal. Communicating simultaneously through sign, symbol and spoken word makes my brain ache still.

But oh my word! The distinct freedom to teach in the way that your children need, the knowledge that you plan to include their learning needs, not the bloody Maya because Gove thought it was a good idea. I’m not marking 60-90 books a day- mainly for SLT or OFSTED to read- I’m writing meaningful posts, linked to individual targets, to share online with parents.

I’ve done parents evening recently. I could talk to each set for a decent length of time- I only have ten pupils so I can make time. I didn’t need to rush through because after 8 minutes I’m wrapping up in order to get through 32 families in 2 nights.

There will be a point when I can’t do my current role any more. But right now, I have no desire to return to mainstream. Have you considered a similar change of direction?

Ok mate 😂 hope you’re a bit more respectful in real life than you are on here.

why are there so many Teachers moaning on here like they have it the toughest ever ever when barely any other professionals post similar?

• because this is a parenting site and it is clear that many parents have no clue as to the complexities of even an average classroom
• because teachers are terrified of where teaching is going and want parents to know about it
• because there is a mass exodus out and those of us left are struggling to see how we'll be a le to hang on in the current climate, even when we desperately want to do so
• because it's a tough, thankless job and we want to speak with people who get that

That would depend on whether you're telling me to ignore statistical evidence in favour of your vast experience.

I couldn't do it, I think it's very difficult for numerous reasons. But as a parent, very appreciated.

It's complicated. Teachers think that parents don't understand how difficult the job is. That isn't necessarily true. Being a teacher is the absolute last thing I'd apply to be as it sounds so bloody difficult. Possibly I'd put being a nurse as even more difficult and a terrible fit for me and my skill. prison officer even more so. But I've never been made to feel personally responsible for any of those professionals feeling undervalued in the workplace. I didn't think teachers have a tendency to pitch themselves against parents in a way that nurses don't generally pitch themselves against patients in the general battle for their terms and conditions. And there do seem to be some really dysfunctional relationships within schools generally where there is zero trust between teachers and SLT that I don't recognise in other professions either. I think some of the blame seems to be misdirected towards parents somehow and I don't think it can help with job satisfaction to have this them/is mentality.

I think some of the blame seems to be misdirected towards parents somehow

Not entirely true. https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/majority-school-leaders-see-rise-parent-complaints

(note the word 'vexatious')

The pay isn't the problem, it's the expectation that teachers can do everything at once, whilst being judged and criticised.

@Chocaholicnightmare Totally agree. I'm.a primary teacher and the "small" things are actually big things. Just a few examples: not being able to go to the toilet from 8.30ish - 12.15pm ish because you're on your own with a class of 30 kids and nobody else to cover you to go at breaktime when on duty. Bleeding through clothes when on period due to the same.
And it's not always possible to call another member of staff as very rarely one is free!
Very little flexibility within working hours (as in extremely little).

Shit mum guilt today - my schools sports day clashed with my DDs school (she’s Y6). I did everything I could to try to make it in time, but missed her races by minutes - literal maniac person running through the streets! Turned up to her crying that I’d missed her last ever sports day, but it’s all good because at least my school kids and their parents had a good sports day 😭