To want to train as a teacher

[UnrealCity]

I am thinking about training as a primary school teacher, I already have a degree so I would be applying for a pgce or similar. I spoke to a teacher friend about it who told me she regrets becoming a teacher and advised me to rethink. Is teaching really that bad? AIBU to think I could enjoy it? I have thought about secondary as well but I've always preferred working with younger children. I would also consider working in a special schooI. I've worked as a support worker for children with special needs for 7 years so I have plenty of experience working with children, and I have volunteered in a primary school, but that's obviously quite different than being a teacher.

Yep. It really, really IS that bad.

In 5 ft 2! I teach English. I trained as an act after uni so have quite a loud voice. I love the fact that I actually use my degree directly. For transparency I work at a big , cut, academic day school so have fewer restrictions in terms of what/how I teach and behaviour is largely fine. I’d go into some secondary schools and do some observing and see what you think. In Secondary you have a range of classes do it’s less intense. Another advantage of teaching English is that you have your classes regularly so have fewer of them than other subjects and more opportunity to get to know them and form relationships - that makes a huge difference either discipline. I was sorting out a bunch of boxes yesterday as I’m moving and found lots of thank you cards. It’s an important job. Good luck whatever you decide.

Don't let your height hold you back. 18 years in the classroom now work in a closely related field. Happy to answer any questions pm me.

I would also recommend a SEND school. It has it's own challenges (managing extremely challenging behaviour, managing a big team of adults in the class etc) but, on balance, it is way more sane and lacking in BS than mainstream. I run a unit on a mainstream site, so I can make a direct comparison. All the tea in China would not get me into a mainstream class.

DON'T DO IT, OP!

If you want no social life whatsoever (because it takes over your weekends, evenings, most of your holidays and even early mornings), then that's fine. Throw in the fact that you will be made to feel terrible as a new teacher when you do make occasional mistakes, or you have children with behavioural issues that might pop up in public (I had a more experienced teacher tell me that such a child should have been "broken" on induction day... I was really glad when she was giving demonstration lessons to each class as to how phonics should be taught, and when it came to my class's turn, the child kicked off big-time. She asked me if they were always like that). Throw in the hard days, when you have kids disclosing abuse (because no amount of training prepares you for that), and it just gets too much.

You'll love the children that you teach, but hate having to deal with the adults around them. This includes the parents that shout at you, or say that you are accusing their child of doing something because, "My child would never do that!" and other members of staff in your school.

The stress got to the point where I had imposter syndrome, stopped eating/sleeping/bathing, couldn't concentrate, cried a lot, felt guilty every time I wasn't doing work things, and had a nervous breakdown, etc. Needless to say, I'm much happier out...

Please rethink. Teaching used to be so rewarding but now it's utterly soul destroying.

Just don't.

I always said to my kids when you factor in the unpaid time marking and planning, it’s not well paid at all. I guess even harder when you have Dc on your own. None of mine fancied it, but equally, glad some people do go into teaching as we certainly need more teachers.

Thank you, you're all giving me lots to think about! 😊

The first few years are hard work but I get 17 weeks holiday a year and don’t work most evenings and holidays. I’m efficient, experienced and have strong boundaries so don’t feel overworked.

17??? I get 12: 6 in summer, 2 at Easter and Christmas and two half terms.

Where do you teach? In England?

Only teachers in private schools in England tend to have that many weeks off.

Sen school - yes, a million times yes!
Mainstream - no, theres to many children with sen needs and not enough support for you as a teacher to deal with their needs & teach the rest of the class.

I thought state school teachers in England get 13 weeks off per year? We are supposed to have directed time of 1265 hours over 39 weeks. 6 weeks off over summer, 2 each for Christmas and Easter and 3 1 week half terms.

To counteract all the negativity, one of my oldest friends retrained as a teacher a few years ago and loves it.

He had had very stressful jobs in finance and marketing, had to commute and felt he was missing out on his kids growing up.

The training was obviously challenging but he says the job itself is no where near as stressful as his 20 plus years in commercial roles, he loves getting to know the kids and loves the long holidays.

It wouldn't be for me but he absolutely loves it.

You sure you’re not forgetting one of the half terms? Usually one in Oct, Feb, late May. Three per term (autumn, spring, summer).

You mean one per term or three per year, no?

H yeah forgot May but that’s still only 13 not 17.

I think if you’ve worked in a school and you have Sen experience you’re well informed, I would do on the job training like teach first where you get paid to do it.
a lot of teachers can’t cope due to send children but you’d be ok

I agree that it depends on the school.

My daughter has now been teaching for 3 years (secondary). Her school is well run, workloads are not unmanageable, and the SLT is very supportive. She absolutely loves it.

@greengreyblue - I get 8 weeks in the summer- 3 for Christmas and Easter and three half terms. Two of the half terms are a week and a half each. Independent school.

Fuck no! Teaching is utterly shit at the moment.

Early days! I’m guessing she’s relatively young too? Teaching is a massively ageist profession and older teachers are actively bullied out. Kids also give older teachers a harder time as well.
Let’s see if she still feels that way in a few years time as she progresses up the pay scale and starts being bullied because she’s too expensive!

Do Music, not English! English teachers' marking loads are insane.

Be aware that if you work in special schools, some children can be violent, either deliberately or because of their needs. Teachers can end of injured/ needing hospital treatment. Small class size does not change some things. I’m surprised no one else has brought this up. This applies to primary age range too.