I'm a teacher and I'm scared.

[NebularNerd]

I don't feel safe going back to work in September. When I became a teacher I did not anticipate doing so during a pandemic. I, like many others in secondary schools, will be facing up to 150 students a day, indoors, with no protection.
I am over 40 but not otherwise in a high risk category, although my husband is and we have elderly parents who will be exposed if I'm infected, as well as young children who will also be in school and potentially exposed.
I'm not disputing the need for children to return to school at all. I'm just starting to fear returning.
Anyone else feel this way?

The situation is especially terrible for teachers who have been shielding until just a few weeks ago.

From the New York Times:

-

Confident it had beaten the coronavirus and desperate to reboot a devastated economy, the Israeli government invited the entire student body back in late May.... Within days, infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school, which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel, possibly the world.... The virus rippled out to the students’ homes and then to other schools and neighborhoods, ultimately infecting hundreds of students, teachers and relatives. (NYT)

@MarshaBradyo ??? When did I mention anyone being hopeless ? I just said on the job training takes an academic year. I know, because I did it. And then a year as an NQT. And then I was qualified.

As I’ve said I’ve had really good experience with ex city. I won’t say what role as a bit outing, but the person is clear, focussed and excellent with how to move forward. It is unusual to move from such high pay, presumably, but I feel happy to have the expertise.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

I think every Secondary teacher has the right to be scared. If a 17yo working in a shop can transmit, or an 18yo HCA, a sixth form student can. Basic logic. The virus doesn't discriminate based on educational or work status.

Schools need to reopen, doesn't mean that they are 100% safe from this virus, or any illness. My form tutor at Secondary school lost his hearing in one ear from a mystery illness that led to up to 50% of my class being off in one day over a period of two weeks. The worst affected were off for weeks.

I'm not a teacher, but I 100% agree with this.

I've got older teens, and my two eldest DS are the weak link in this house; they think they are invincible and even though they (just about) follow guidance, they are extremely blasé about social distancing, mask wearing and washing hands for anywhere near the right amount.

Whenever anyone says "the city" I now hear it in my head as the tadpole to frog who is going to work "in the city" from Hey Duggee.
Totally irrelevant but funny

Do you not think it’s possible that these are different groups of teachers?

That doesn’t suit NeverForgetYourDreams argument at all. Stop spoiling her fun by talking sense.

Mums sorry a bit unclear. I was using you as an example of someone who switched careers? (Fast thread didn’t scroll to check, maybe another poster) and meant you are not hopeless. Far from it I bet you’ve bought some good skills.

Even though I have a teenager who I desperately want to see back in school come Sept, I absolutely feel for all teachers out there. I can’t imagine how these year bubbles (in ds school) will work, I can imagine it being an absolute nightmare, then you have the kids coughing on other kids scenario, which in the school ds attends, I have no doubt will be a regular occurrence and then I imagine some of these same kids coughing on teachers.

Talking of face masks, again, if all pupils need to start wearing them I can imagine another scenario of lost masks, masks bring snatched off faces at break, children not wanting to wear them etc etc.

I worry so much for all involved in education right now and not just regarding COVID, which of course is the biggest concern right now but I’m also extremely worried about ds future education and the disruption this pandemic has caused, I worry about school closures and bubbles being sent home, homeschooling again.

It's great that this is working as a teacher recruitment drive because boy do we need more. Looking forward to seeing you all in September.

@MarshaBradyo and you gave by said what type of school your DS is that has live my large classrooms with opening windows.

Not sure if this helps, but to potentially reassure: my kids have been going to nursery throughout (we are both key workers unable to work from home). Nursery has remained open with kids largely from medical families at the peak of lockdown. Even since kids have returned post lockdown they have had - across 900 staff and 3000 kids in the London based chain - not a single confirmed or presumed case of COVID. And this is with little kids where there is no social distancing, the staff are hugging, changing and playing closely with the children.

Anecdotal, of course, but hopefully might provide a tiny bit of comfort to those worried.

@NeverForgetYourDreams as a scared teacher, I am still on the same tank of petrol since March 20th, have not been into a shop ( nor has my DH), live nowhere near a beach, have not been to a cafe or restaurant and nor have I had any takeaway food. Nor have I been to a park with my children or anywhere in fact that has not followed shielding guidelines.

During lockdown I taught all the children at home and marked all their work online, plus reports. I was not needed in school due to the small number of key worker children in the Sec School each day.

I mentored a lawyer. He was good. Not the best teacher ever as very rigid but good enough. He left teaching after 6 years as he couldn't stomach the working conditions and directives any longer.

I think solicitors are very used to taking lots of work home and prepping it up outside of work for deadlines. They also (and I know this is petty) seem to have a very professional looking exterior, which tends to make students take them seriously.

The re-trainnees who tend to to do badly, in my experience, are the social worker-y types who are used to building up fabulous relationships one on one or in small groups and think they can extend this to a whole class. They tend to wing it, think it is all about personal relationships rather than having answers to your powerpoints clearly visible on a screen, prepped up in advance.

@MarshaBradyo 😊well I have certainly improved the lessons on taxation and budgeting. And how to write a CV - was HT for a while. So hopefully I've added a bit of something.

@Cloudburstagain me too !! In fact my petrol tank still has 2/3 in it. Essential trips only for me.

[quote Rubyroost]@JulyBreeze I've read articles which suggests masks can affect oxygen levels[/quote]
This is such bullshit! Do you see doctors and nurses dropping like flies while working in hospitals because of low oxygen levels?

There are always examples of people who transfer well but that is because they have what is needed to succeed the new role, often evidenced by them wanting to switch. We have presumably all met the odd person like this.

People who switch only for money (or due to sector redundancies) are a different proposition.

One thing I can guarantee I will not be doing is revision sessions in my own time - as the least time I spend in a classroom with teenagers the better. So that will create more jobs - those who wish to private tutor as no staff I know will be doing extra free revision classes. Especially for the autumn resists for students who do not wish to accept the estimated grades.

[quote mumsneedwine]@MarshaBradyo and you gave by said what type of school your DS is that has live my large classrooms with opening windows. [/quote]
Mums can you re-write? Not sure what you mean!

Ok also just asked teen how many in maths class, 10 to 15. Blimey only just asking but still

True. It's not a comparison. Supermarkets have a constant flow of adults in them. Schools are filled with children. Children are safer to be around than adults.

[quote mumsneedwine]@MarshaBradyo 😊well I have certainly improved the lessons on taxation and budgeting. And how to write a CV - was HT for a while. So hopefully I've added a bit of something. [/quote]
Exactly. I have no doubt.

Blimey I have science classes of 28 to 35....

commentatorz

Haha these responses really do exemplify the can't do attitude of some teachers don't they?

Many people losing their jobs are professionals. People like accountants, lawyers, financial specialists, engineers, the real STEM specialists. They aren't going to need years of training like some snotty nosed 18 year old who has decided to become a teacher because they've been awarded 2 C's at A level and can't get a proper profession.

I’m assuming you tried to train to be a teacher and failed?

You do realise most secondary school teachers had proper professions too at one point. I am a scientist. My degree is science and I worked as a scientist. I then decided to go into teaching the Science.
Only one colleague of mine wanted to be a teacher straight from school the others have had various careers in the STEM field including engineers, researchers in cures for cancers, marine biologists and two are ex navy and one is ex army.

How do you think you become a lawyer? You need someone who is an experienced lawyer to teach you!

@WhyNotMe40

Can I also remind people that teachers were happy to work in schools all through lockdown with reduced class sizes and social distancing.

Not all of them were. My 2 daughters in y6 and y1 could not go in because there weren't enough staff.