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Original poster

Any teachers looking forward to going back want to chip in?

27 replies

Layladylay234 · 28/08/2020 07:44

Just as we've needed threads that discuss people who get Covid and don't die/suffer long term complications,thought it might be nice for us to hear from teachers who are either feel their school has done a good job at protecting them or are looking forward to going back and not concerned about the risk x

OP posts:
Bobbybobbins · 28/08/2020 07:49

I am already back teaching secondary - we started back this week! Feeling ok so far. Classes are working ok though I am stuck at the front in some rooms. Corridors are interesting but there is less movement.
The kids are so happy to be back!

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 28/08/2020 07:49

Me! Am really looking forward to getting back into it. I know most of our staff feel the same too albeit with some anxiety mixed in with it.
Am nervous for everyone in terms of them catching it (staff wise as we have some vulnerable and overweight people) But not too worried for me. Am really really hoping that the predicted doom and rise in infections isn’t half as bad as they think it could be. Also hoping that the new layout and style of teaching works for our primary classes.

Gingerfish91 · 29/08/2020 15:55

My step daughter teaches, she’s looking forward to getting back properly although like others has worked throughout. She’s not worried.

MinnieMousse · 29/08/2020 16:01

I am looking forward to teaching in person, not trying to teach a bubble group during the day then sort out remote learning in the evening that caters to families who prefer online activities, those who want video lessons, those who can only access paper packs. At least I'll know what I should be doing.

Am not looking forward to having to give my Year 2s the phonics screening and having to prepare them for SATs and end of KS1 assessment as usual, especially as fewer than half of them chose to return to school in June. The expected level for the end of year 2 is challenging enough at the best of times.

rabbitwoman · 29/08/2020 16:07

I am so looking forward to going back! I work as a secondary cover supervisor so have basically had six months off, bar going in on a rota basis once or twice a week. I have actually had a nice time in lock down, my husband has been off as well and we have got on really well - he's taught me guitar, I have had a massive clear out of my house, I have seen friends and family - from a safe distance - and even kept up my kickboxing lessons over zoom, but goodness, it's time to get back to normality - or the new normal...

I am a bit worried I will have forgotten how to do my job!!

I am putting thoughts of the actual virus itself to the back of my mind. Of course there is a risk and I want to be safe. I will carry round a mask and hand sanitiser. But these kids really need to be back in school and I cannot wait!

TheKeatingFive · 29/08/2020 16:22

Nice thread. Thank you to all posters for your positivity. My son cannot wait to get back to school, he’s so looking forward to it.

keiratwiceknightly · 29/08/2020 16:27

I'm looking forward to it. Secondary English here. I do have reservations about how it's going to go, but they are more about logistics than the virus (which I'm resigned to getting at some point, btw).

PumpkinPie2016 · 29/08/2020 16:31

I'm looking forward to going back. I can't wait to see the kids in person and teach in person rather than online.

I'm excited to put in place the plans for our faculty which will support teaching and learning.

I'm looking forward to meeting my NQT in person rather than on zoom and helping him through his first year, and I'm looking forward to seeing my colleagues.

Our head is amazing and has done everything possible to make things as safe as possible for everyone. I know that no matter what chaos and mayhem covid has caused, all our focus will be on high quality teaching and learning which is just as it should be.

Roll on Tuesday!

TheSeedsOfADream · 29/08/2020 16:32

Me! I'm not in the UK and (hopefully) we'll be back in class in late September.
Looking forward to it and I know the kids are too (I've got one here with me! ) I'm not unduly worried as, despite big increase here recently, my own region is still largely untouched and once we get rid of the tourists next month we can hopefully hunker down and do something resembling normality.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 29/08/2020 16:34

Looking forward is overstating it. But I’m extremely pleased that I will be teaching properly again.

ChristmasinJune · 29/08/2020 16:35

I'm looking forward to going back and seeing everybody. I'm looking forward to teaching properly and seeing children making progress, I'm looking forward to knowing that we're there making our kids safe for a few hours each day. I firmly believe going back is the right thing and I'll take the rough with the smooth.

I'm not looking forward to the inevitable period of chaos as children settle back in again and I'm anxious about what tales some of our children will have to tell about the last six months.

Kitcat122 · 29/08/2020 16:35

I have reservations but I am excited to see all my students. I have missed them.

EachDubh · 29/08/2020 16:40

I have been back 3 weeks already and love being back in class with the kids who, on the whole are happy to be back. Love seeing my own kids going into school. Feel happy to be there. Always a wee niggle t the bck of my mind myself or my kids could pass stuff onto parents/inlaws as all we have is handgel and some sd. But being back is amazing 😁😁

solidaritea · 29/08/2020 16:45

So ready to be back. I think it's going to be the most important first week back ever for my Year 6s. I'm hoping to re-instil their love of learning, as I know several have done little school work since March. We've got a lot to do this year!

Covid is a concern, but I've got my fingers crossed that we'll be lucky enough not to have an outbreak.

LaurieFairyCake · 29/08/2020 16:48

DH is really looking forward to it, a lot of the staff are pretty apprehensive because of logistics - so many children can't travel in by bus as they're now not allowed

They may try to get buses, they will be horribly late as they won't get up earlier

He's expecting some bits to be disastrous Grin

manicinsomniac · 29/08/2020 17:00

I was so excited until last night when the new guidance that came out completely scuppered my subject. Not sure what I'm going to do now!

But still looking forward to being back, regardless.

nutellatoast · 29/08/2020 17:12

I am really looking forward to seeing the kids as I've missed them and found teaching in lockdown really tough. I am happy with the steps taken by the school - staff stay 2m away from students in the classroom, masks in corridors, bubbling each year group in zones in the school, phased lesson times etc
I am not in an at risk group and none of my family is and I realise how important it is for schools to go back.

The only think I am not looking forward to is the negativity by a few members of staff. One member of my department is constantly emailing/messaging us all the latest statistics and scare stories etc and whilst I do sympathise with her anxiety I don't think she is being helpful to the rest of us. If we dare to say anything other than supporting her view she becomes incredibly aggressive. I don't know how I am going to handle being in an office with her. She is very aggressively pro everyone wearing a mask at all times which I don't intend doing (I just don't think I will cope wearing a mask for 9 or 10 hours a day)

nutellatoast · 29/08/2020 17:14

"thing" not "think"

Toolchest13 · 29/08/2020 17:16

I can’t wait. Teaching is much easier than being at home with two small children!

I also miss my colleagues and the staff room camaraderie.

clopper · 29/08/2020 17:21

Looking forward to going back and happy and confident that my school have organised the timetable and space as carefully as they can in line with the guidance. All the staff I have spoken to feel the same.

A bit fed up with all the negativity in the news regarding teacher attitudes, it doesn’t reflect my own experiences and staff I know across a few schools are all positive and keen to get back.

cantkeepawayforever · 29/08/2020 17:47

Just quoting my response from the previous thread:

"I am really looking forward to being back in school.

I am also concerned that the arrangements for return are not safe,.

It is entirely possible to BOTH be excited and happy about returning to the best bit of the job - teaching children - AND worried about the risk of increased COVID infections it brings. They're not mutually exclusive positions."

Every teacher I know is looking forward to going back. Every teacher i know is worried about the effect of school going back on community transmission (especially because, in primary, we are so intimately aware of exactly who is vulnerable, who lives with vulnerable relatives). I don't know anyone in the 'happy and completely oblivious of the risks' camp, and I don't know anyone who isn't happy to be going back. In other words, I know no-one on either of the artificial 'sides' that MN continually seems to be trying to create - IME everyone is somewhere in the middle.

tinytemper66 · 29/08/2020 18:40

Can't wait to go back. But not looking forward to policing masks-well I am not going to. Our head is so far up her own arse though I am not looking forward to the shit she says and the way others fawn over her every word.
I am looking forward to seeing the pupils and some staff. I just want to teach!

Maisiecow · 29/08/2020 18:40

Yes, went back a week ago as I work in FE so our term starts a bit earlier. Really nice to have some sort of normality back! It will be easier for our returning students as they haven’t been out of learning as such, as we continued lessons via Zoom, MS Teams etc. Our new students would have finished year 11 back in March, so not only will they have been out of learning for nearly 6 months but they also have a change of school to contend with! I’m a little sad that lessons won’t be quite as before with single, spaced out desks, but it’s better than the online lessons. I try not to think about the Covid risk. We will take all precautions that are feasibly possible, but I think we just have to wait and see on that one. In the meantime, I will sanitise hands, work spaces, door handles etc. We are encouraged to wear masks in corridors and communal areas, but I don’t feel I could wear one for the entire duration of my working day. So, I probably won’t wear a mask/face shield when teaching at the front of the class, but will put one on when checking students’ work etc. Let’s just hope that schools remain open and our young don’t have to go through another period of lockdown!

LittleMachine · 29/08/2020 18:57

I'm really looking forward to going back. I teach little ones with very complex SEND and behavioural needs. Social distancing won't be possible.
I'm not concerned for myself but I am concerned about a potential outbreak in school, as we have some very medically vulnerable children in school.

I was in throughout lockdown, with a different class that weren't mine, and the emphasis was very much that we were child minding and not teaching. I did my best to still teach, but it's difficult in a school like mine when you don't know the children. I was also trying to juggle supporting my class, who were all at home, and home schooling my own children. The pressure was immense.

Teaching, and being good at teaching, is a big part of my identity. I can't wait to just be doing my job, properly.