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Original poster

Please be kind to teachers

87 replies

Tiktokersmiracle · 22/01/2021 11:46

Please be kind to teachers, heads, support staff

I often see threads on Mumsnet where teachers take a bashing.
They have been let down by the government immensely. The DofE finally released figures for Covid cases amongst teachers compared to the rest of the population and it was huge

As a result, a teacher at my DC's School has passed away. We are all as a community devastated

The government willfully ignored the stats, kept promising it was safe when they knew by October half term it wasn't.

So whilst we all want our children back in school, please know that what may result in a tiny amount of virus of no great concern if our children get it, is putting staff in danger.
And please be respectful to them doing what they can. It's the government we should be angry with.

OP posts:
SideEyeing · 22/01/2021 11:54

I'm so sorry for the loss of your DC's teacher.

Thanks for your kind words.

Nicknamegoeshere · 22/01/2021 12:05

Totally agree. I'm a teacher myself although currently on mat leave. It must be so hard for all school/nursery staff right now and they are working flat out. As usual they are giving up their own time to get everything done but even more so currently.

I agree that they have been "dropped in it" by the government, particularly Heads and SLT's.

I just pray they are prioritised for the vaccine.

My son's head teacher tested positive a few weeks ago and has been really quite unwell. Luckily she slowly making a recovery.

So sorry to hear about your DC's teacher.

Fembot123 · 22/01/2021 12:09

So sorry to hear that and thanks for mentioning support staff as in a lot of cases we are the only ones left having face to face contact with multiple students

Drinkarsefeck · 22/01/2021 12:10

Well said op, the way teachers have been expected to carry on with hardly any safety measures is something that we will look back on with disbe!ief in years to come I think. Im sorry to hear of your DC's teacher, the effect on pupils of these deaths will be a factor to consider too.

Msmcc1212 · 22/01/2021 12:13

So sorry to hear that Flowers

Teachers do an amazing job at the best of times. I am never quite sure what kind of magic they use to get 30+ children to stay still and listen when I can’t get one to!!

To do that in the current circumstances, adapting to remote provision, trying to keep schools open for some and doing that knowing you are more at risk of getting it is pretty awe inspiring.

Thank you to you all! 🙏

thecatfromjapan · 22/01/2021 12:16

💐💐💐💐💐

GinJeanie · 22/01/2021 12:19

🌹🥀🌺🌻🌼🌷⚘

Arundelclassrom · 22/01/2021 12:20

We all think teachers do a great job but I don't think it's ok the way some people act as if teachers are the only job at risk, and the only job with no PPE, and the only job who "only find out the plan at the same time as the rest of you", and the only profession the govt has shafted in this pandemic. We are all in the shit together. I think it would be great if that was recognised!

Itisasecret · 22/01/2021 12:23

@Arundelclassrom

We all think teachers do a great job but I don't think it's ok the way some people act as if teachers are the only job at risk, and the only job with no PPE, and the only job who "only find out the plan at the same time as the rest of you", and the only profession the govt has shafted in this pandemic. We are all in the shit together. I think it would be great if that was recognised!
Read the room. Teaching IS the only profession where mass gatherings, indoors, with no ventilation or PPE is legal and told is safe.

Whatabouttery on this thread is not appropriate.

I’m sorry op. 💐

GinJeanie · 22/01/2021 12:25

@Arundelclassrom

We all think teachers do a great job but I don't think it's ok the way some people act as if teachers are the only job at risk, and the only job with no PPE, and the only job who "only find out the plan at the same time as the rest of you", and the only profession the govt has shafted in this pandemic. We are all in the shit together. I think it would be great if that was recognised!
Teachers and teaching staff seem to get a lot more grief than other professions. I guess that's why you hear more about their current working conditions and how completely diabolical they are... @Tiktokersmiracle - I'm sorry ⚘
JaimieLeeCurtains · 22/01/2021 12:26

I'd be very happy for teachers to be higher up the vaccination list. (And I say that as someone who is CEV and keen to get it myself tbh.)

MrsHamlet · 22/01/2021 12:26

I'm very sorry to hear that.

GinJeanie · 22/01/2021 12:28

And by that I mean online grief... I know folk in retail/transport etc are having an awful time with the attitude of a minority of the public atm.

Original poster
Tiktokersmiracle · 22/01/2021 12:28

@Arundelclassrom

We all think teachers do a great job but I don't think it's ok the way some people act as if teachers are the only job at risk, and the only job with no PPE, and the only job who "only find out the plan at the same time as the rest of you", and the only profession the govt has shafted in this pandemic. We are all in the shit together. I think it would be great if that was recognised!
I do get what you're saying. I do.

But whereas shops have the police to come when called over masks, and screens, teachers had hand gel.

Thank you for kind comments. The teacher was so well known and well loved in the school and wider community. He had taught so many over the years.
I feel so sorry for the staff today, they've all been available for calls and emails and on Google classroom, but they must be in bits themselves at losing a colleague. Seeing them putting their own grief to one side to support the children says it all.

OP posts:
Msmcc1212 · 22/01/2021 12:29

Arundelclassrom

Absolutely. There are so many people out there, adapting quickly to changes and keeping everything going whilst putting themselves at risk of catching it. Thank you to you all.

However, I haven’t seen threads that are actively criticising those people in other roles, whereas there has been a lot of teacher bashing on MN from what I have seen so it’s nice to have something more positive to help them to know that lots of people are hugely grateful.

Drinkarsefeck · 22/01/2021 12:31

@Arundelclassrom

We all think teachers do a great job but I don't think it's ok the way some people act as if teachers are the only job at risk, and the only job with no PPE, and the only job who "only find out the plan at the same time as the rest of you", and the only profession the govt has shafted in this pandemic. We are all in the shit together. I think it would be great if that was recognised!
Of course anyone working as unsafely as teachers should be given extra protection, expecting teachers to put up and shut up when they are putting themselves and their families at risk is a disgusting attitude. We should be campaigning to make things as safe as possible for everybody, not a select few.

Teachers are not permitted ppe in many schools, where is the safety in that? A teacher becoming infected will also mean community spread continuing and all of us remaining locked down for longer.

year5teacher · 22/01/2021 12:32

@Arundelclassrom

We all think teachers do a great job but I don't think it's ok the way some people act as if teachers are the only job at risk, and the only job with no PPE, and the only job who "only find out the plan at the same time as the rest of you", and the only profession the govt has shafted in this pandemic. We are all in the shit together. I think it would be great if that was recognised!
This is a thread someone has started because a teacher died. It’s not the time to start talking about all other jobs. No one said we have it hardest. We absolutely don’t. I don’t understand how people can’t see that “what about XYZ?” is not always a helpful contribution.
moanieleminx · 22/01/2021 12:38

@Tiktokersmiracle I am so sorry. I am a teacher and on day 1 of quarantine as DH has tested positive last night. My closest colleague (we are two in a classroom) and her DH are also positive. Several parents tested positive over Christmas and sent their children in as soon as schools opened, when they quarantined. (I am keeping my DC at home. We are all quarantining together.)

Thankfully, in RL, my phone has been pinging all morning with messages from parents and colleagues checking in and offering support. It's been rather overwhelming and we are very touched.

sHREDDIES19 · 22/01/2021 12:57

My kids' teachers are amazing, so no issues here. They remain motivated to get the best out of them, whilst adding humour and energy to the live lessons and learning that has been set. I only ever base my opinion on my experience so would never dream of making sweeping statements (good or bad) based on such a narrow perspective.

slidingdrawers · 22/01/2021 13:25

Well said, and I'm sorry to read of the passing of your DC's teacher.

IloveJKRowling · 22/01/2021 13:33

So sorry to hear about your DC's teacher and well said OP.

Teachers should have been wearing masks since September, just as employees on building sites have to wear hard hats.

The fact the government didn't put in place appropriate health and safety measures for risk reduction in the school environment - and in fact made it very difficult for teachers by specifically advising against mask wearing - makes them responsible because there is plenty of evidence now that masks reduce the risk to the wearer (there was in Sept too). I hope those families devastated by the lack of risk reduction in schools - uniquely among all workplaces - will find the strength to hold the government (and Gav W personally) responsible. Difficult when you're grieving though.

Freddiefox · 22/01/2021 13:34

Please be kind to nursery staff, who are open to all, 1 in 10 of us have caught covid since Dec 1st. No PPE, and little respect if we are scared.

GinJeanie · 22/01/2021 13:42

@Freddiefox

Please be kind to nursery staff, who are open to all, 1 in 10 of us have caught covid since Dec 1st. No PPE, and little respect if we are scared.
🌼 for you. I agree, early years are not mentioned enough and deserve our thanks and respect. I work in a special school so understand how scary it feels atm. Not easy if/when our fears are disregarded or minimised. More Flowers
Eaumyword · 22/01/2021 13:49

@Fembot123

So sorry to hear that and thanks for mentioning support staff as in a lot of cases we are the only ones left having face to face contact with multiple students
This. Thank you for not forgetting support staff. TA's in my school are working so hard supervising the key worker children and I (school sec) was bloody knackered yesterday juggling everything from first aid with the children to preparing educational resource packs. The Nursery staff are working really hard looking after the tiny ones too. So very sorry to hear about the teacher at your DC's school Flowers
mrshoho · 22/01/2021 13:54

I'm so sorry to hear about your child's teacher. It is a devastating time for the school community and heartbreaking for this teacher's family and friends. My SEN school is like a family and the pressure we are all under to keep our students, families and ourselves safe is hard going right now. Thank you for your support. Flowers

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