To think job-sharing for teachers of kids 8 and under is selfish?

[blowingBubblesinABreeze]

My kid is in Year 2. There are 30 kids in her class. She has teachers who job-share (monday-wed morning, Wednesday afternoon to Friday).
We had a parents meeting and it was very clear to me that the teacher barely knew my child, and was just making up things to say. Other parents said the same.

Do I blame her? Yes and no. No because it is impossible to know 30 kids in a class if you are spending half the time with the kids in the class that a normal teacher does. A full-time teacher with 30 kids in the class already struggles to know all the kids in her class well. (understandably).

Yes because she has chosen to do the job share. (In the case of the teachers in my class, I know that they are both well-off). I know that this is not the case for most teachers. But again I would argue that many teachers that would choose to job share are not on the bread-line.

A teacher should know the kids in their class. That is part of their job. The kids are LITTLE, LITTLE people. They are in school for most of their waking hours. Alot of them really struggle to go into school at a young age. So to be left in the hands of a person who barely knows them is simply not fair on them.

We are prioritising the desires of teachers over the NEEDS of children. Which is where society seems to be headed as a whole. The desires of adults is our focus, neglecting the basic needs of our little people.

Definitely. No one would think teachers shouldn't have their own kids

the teachers financial status is not in any way relevant - you jealous ?

so is under 8 , at gcse they may have 2/3/6 teacher if mat leave snd recruitment issues continue

even two days a week should know the kids but it is often hard knowing what to say some kids just turn up work well and are average clever and nice , you do run out of unique things to say

You are being very unreasonable on every level including refering to children as "little people"

I do agree it's less than ideal tbh. We had one teacher who did two days a week and barely seemed to know who my DC was.

But I don't think it's selfish.

I think the problem is the curriculum not allowing enough space for teachers to get to know the DC, and too many children in one class. It would be much better to have classes of max 15-18 kids.

They deserve a work life balance regardless of job. My daughter had a set up like this once and she thrived and the teachers knew her! Maybe she’s just burnt out at parents evening and didn’t give you the perfection you wanted

Sorry didn’t mean to quote

YABU I’ve had to go part time due to my own health despite being young. Struggling each month with not much left after the bills, food and fuel but can’t do anything about it. I love my job, I am extremely passionate and because I am part time the children benefit. I am rarely off sick as I have days to recover from the exhaustion. I have energy to throw myself into the job the days I am there. Prior to me cutting down I had 2 long term absences due to my health condition which is autoimmune and causes a lot of pain and fatigue.

I don’t think it’s selfish on the part of the teachers, but I do think it’s not an ideal scenario in most cases. Job share in primary teaching is only successful if the teachers work well together and have an efficient system for handover. If not, things get missed or not followed up adequately. In some cases one teacher ends up working extra hard to cover the inadequacies of the other and this isn’t good for anyone.

It can work, but it’s difficult and takes a well matched and dedicated pair of teachers. If given a choice, it’s not an arrangement I would choose for my child.

All of my children had job share primary teachers at some point. Reception thru to year 3. It was an absolute non issue. All the teachers new my children very well.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem but it’s not the job share in itself.

This situation sounds like it would have been just as bad if either one of those teachers had been there full-time, though.

Anyone who prioritises their family and physical mental health over their job could be called selfish ??
did you take work a long commute away because “ you are needed there “. Or work some where badly paid or shit out of dedication to your vocation , no , of course not you got the best job you could with the best commute and best arrangement for you and your family - how selfish are you !

Most parents are blissfully unaware of the amount of time the teacher actually spends in the class. Between job shares, ppa, sickness, other duties (more so if they're in anyway senior), the kids probably spend more time with a TA anyway.

Have you managed to miss the many many headlines and posts on here about teachers leaving the profession in droves?
Be lucky you've got 2 permanent teachers, my dn is 4 and has just had a revolving door of temps since starting reception.

At the absolute most (although I still think YABU) you should be blaming the senior staff for allowing job shares in the younger classes if you think its so important to have consistency for the younger years. The teachers are allowed to ask to go part time - it's the head who a) agrees it and b) allocates which teachers to which class. But for all you know the head has prioritised 1 teacher for early years -just there are 3 classes even younger than yours so if there are a lot of job shares they have to go somewhere!

Next you will be posting, claiming teachers only work 9am-3pm, with 13 weeks paid holiday! 😂

I agree. Same thing is happening in my daughter's Yr1 class and I think unless you've experienced it first hand, you don't understand how disconnected they are from the kids. I totally understand the reasons why a teacher would want/need to work part time but it's certainly of no benefit to the children they teach at that age.

And in reverse if a child doesn't like or get on with one teacher only having them half the time would be great. And the teacher is still fresh at the end of the week rather than praying for the weekend. And is there even a full time teacher available? These wealthy people willing to take a part time job teaching are not easy to find either, I don't know any, usually they are parents too, juggling childcare like many other people and only able to work part time.

Whilst your arguments may well be valid, what’s the end result here of banning job share as an option? The end result in your particular case, is no teacher at all. The two teachers you have you say are well off, so if the only offer was 5 days or nothing, they’d choose nothing/a different job you can do part time, tutoring maybe.
Parents have become very clear atm on what the absolute best is for their own child, but without any thought to the end consequences of their wants.

Yanbu

Reception year my son had a great teacher until feb half term when he had to go cover the special needs class as their teacher was longterm ill. They got a cover teacher. Then his teacher came back splitting the hours with another one. Then he left altogether and they got another teacher. Lots of disruption.

Year 1 he got a lovely teacher and then she went part time after halloween and he got another one, who then left and was again replaced.

So first 2 years of school he had 8 teachers! I didn't even know some tmof their names. Completely messed up his intro to education and delayed diagnosis for him.

There are plenty of jobs where you can't cut down hours, I'm not sure why everyone things teachers need to be so special that they can do less.

Teachers don't grow on trees! The head and governors have to do the best they can. If a job share fits in and gives them the staff they need then this is what they have to do.

Teaching is such a challenging job. They can't get it right for all parents. If your child is content then that is good.

My son is 29 and had job share teachers in P1 and P2. Almost every child in that class now has professional qualifications/degees/masters.

Would have been 25 children though (Scotland).

How do you know they are well off? I haven't a clue and don't care how well off my children's teachers are. That's not my business.
If you have a problem with your child's teacher not having a great understanding of who your child is snd their needs then address this with the school rather than generalising all teachers who work part time.

Well I work part time in a secondary school. A couple of classes I see for maybe 50mins a week and I know them.

Good job it’s all about you 🙄

😂😂😂😂
How dare women want to have children and also need to work.
You know they don't get paid for their holidays?

YABU. Teaching young children is one of the hardest jobs out there. A teacher doesn't just 'teach'. Sharing the work load involved with caring for 30 children with another teacher can only benefit the children and the adults. Why don't you go in as a parent volunteer for a week..you would soon change your tune and realise what a demanding career it is.