To be dreading going back to work!

[FcukTheDay]

The biggest Sunday blues ever, first day back to work after a long summer off.

Not a teacher but I’ve been off work for a couple of weeks. I have that back-to-work feeling too despite loving my job. I think it’s the fact that the kids are going back to and that means the grind of the daily routine with packed lunches and uniform and keeping up with who’s got what after school and getting to grips with their timetables. I think it’ll be fine this time next week, but we just have to take the plunge into another school year.

I'm an online teacher and I'm excited about the start of term. I'm looking forward to catching up with all my continuing pupils, meeting my new classes and getting into the routine of the term. Very grateful that I have a teaching role which brings my such joy.

How did you get into this? I'd love to look into this.

Head of department here and absolutely dreading it. I could cry thinking about what’s ahead. I know I won’t sleep tonight.

Dreading it too. Feel exhausted just thinking about it!

@BirdFeederFun I sent my CV around all the well-established online schools and was lucky enough to have a job offer several weeks later. Since then, I have completed an OU PG certificate specifically in online and distance education, but it's not an essential. It doesn't pay as well as mainstream, but 30 years into my career, that doesn't matter to me. It's great fun, the pupils and parents are lovely and I work from home with the cat on my knee :)

That sounds brilliant! Perhaps wrong time of year but will get my CV up and give it a go. Are you full time? Do you teach english/maths? I would be wary there wasn't enough work for my subjects but I can do functional skills maths.

Id love to do this.

You do realise that most people dread going back to work, it’s not restricted to teachers.

I imagine the only exception is for those individuals in jobs that they love, and or are paid really well.

Nobody has suggested it is- the OP just happens to be a TA and most teachers and TAs will be back to school tomorrow or shortly after! That's why there are lots of school staff picked up this thread because it's current to them.

@wonderstuff sorry to hear you don’t like your new school. I moved at Easter and I don’t like my new place either. Got to stick it out for a bit, but always looking for something else.

So true, particularly with new management. I loathe the shite we have to listen to, the breakdown of results, all I care about is mine compared to the nationals/other subjects, I don’t need the minutiae or the new initiatives fresh management inevitably brings. Groan. Also, I find it super difficult to sit without fidgeting at the best of times, particularly after 6 weeks of being active. I can’t walk properly if I’ve been sat for ages, it’s embarrassing (related to an accident).

I don’t mind going back, although it’s extremely inconvenient, dog and Dh with broken elbows, Dh has serious man flu and is awaiting an urgent cancer referral but obviously can’t drive. I’m grateful to have had the time off, of course. I’m aware that some jobs offer the minimum. Probably like everyone after a holiday, I wil wake up at 3 and that’ll be it.

Is that full time? I’m looking to retire (early) in a couple of years, I’ve been teaching 30 years, and go back part time or just mainscale so no management responsibilities. There aren’t many schools in my target area, so online might be just the thing! How did you find the big online establishments?

It’s my first day working in a school office tomorrow and I’m excited! My autistic daughter however is not looking forward to going into year three.

Same here. Year 6 TA and for the first time in 10 years I don’t want to go back. The level of need across the school has sky rocketed over the last few years and this years cohort will be difficult but nothing in comparison to what is coming up behind. This will be my last year, planning on leaving May half term after SATS if I last that long.

I'm a teacher. First year ECT (secondary English) after completing my PGCE/QTS in July. I loved and hated my teacher training for different reasons, but one thing I promised myself is that I won't take work home unless it's for exams.

I've spent the evening doing self care: face mask, foot mask, deep hair conditioner, tea, snacks. Haven't thought about work tomorrow and am not dreading it. My little boy also starts school (reception) on Wednesday. I'm sad I won't get to take him to school on his first day.

I'll let you know how I feel in a week's time 🤣

May the odds be in your favour everyone.

@Cherrysoup I do approx 0.6 fte. Some of my colleagues do more, some less. I googled ‘online school’, checked out the websites and applied to the ones which appealed to me. When I started teaching online there were far fewer online schools. The sector has mushroomed since Covid.

Starting new job tomorrow. Loving the idea ( Lord help me) because I know what I left behind

Same situation here, I’ve tried to make the last day as busy as possible to avoid thinking about it!

@SmallChanges3 how are you going to do that? Can you stay at school til 6 or similar to do the planning and marking? I found in my first few years I was so exhausted I'd rather go home first and do it in the evening and always a day at the weekend..

Or is it one of those Michaela esque schools where it's all pre scripted and no marking?

Single academy. Marking expectations is 5 books per lesson (live marking). One assessment per term, per class. We finish at 3. My plan is to stay until 4pm every evening. Lessons all have a scheme of work planned out and I just need to adapt them for the class. I think I can do this during PPA time. I also plan to get in 45 mins early every morning and do some bits then.

Like I said, ask me again in a week 🤣

I’ve been retired from teaching for 8 years after 40 years - I’ll be thinking of you all tomorrow as I have done every September since I finished. I honestly wish looking back I’d been brave enough to change careers. The last 10 years of my teaching career steadily got more difficult in every way. I can only imagine how much harder it has become now.
September 1 st is now completely different for me.

@Yellowaveo59 Good luck, I go back October half term and I am considering running away …

If it fills you with dread, why not change careers? TA’s aren’t paid very well so would get the same or more doing something else. It’s only the holidays that are good.

I know someone who is a TA and she hates it. Her kids are late teens now so there is no reason at all to stay in the job but she does anyway and then feels like this every Sunday and end of holidays. I don’t understand it.

And I no longer have to listen to “ new innovative ways of using a number line/ let’s completely scrap our reading scheme and start a new/rehashed phonics one/completely change the behaviour policy that we completely changed last September/go on a course to learn about a new/convoluted time consuming method of marking/learn a new set of acronyms “ sort of nonsense.
I used to love my job back in the late 70’s 80’s and 90’s

I’m not a teacher any more but I still have the fear this time of year