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Original poster

Teachers, would you work?

327 replies

Liveandletlive3 · 30/01/2021 15:11

Just read an article which was stating that schools may run half days over the summer holidays due to missing so much from school closures.
Teachers, would you back this if you had the option to opt in or out to work over the summer holidays?

OP posts:
lunapeace · 30/01/2021 19:24

@FrippEnos and finance workers aren't working with children. Because I have kids of my own, I want to know that their teacher and TA absolutely wants to be there because they care for and respect children. The children I teach, I always think of my own, I treat them how I wish for my kids to be treated.

Anyway, enough people on here have said they do enjoy being with the pupils. That's all that matters. It's those that don't even have that, that really do need to rethink their career.

My job isn't perfect, I'll admit to that but I truly love what I do. Until we sort out how densely populated our land is, I don't believe any real change can happen.

MrsHamlet · 30/01/2021 19:26

It's those that don't even have that, that really do need to rethink their career
By which I assume you mean me. I assume you also think I don't care or respect children.
What you think of me might bother me were it not for your juvenile personal attacks.

lunapeace · 30/01/2021 19:27

@MrsHamlet if you do care for and respect children I take back everything. Its those that don't who I have a very real issue with.

mouldyhouse101 · 30/01/2021 19:28

@lunapeace

Have you ever considered that those that don't enjoy teaching, once did, but have been ground down by the ridiculous education system?

That it is not the so called poor teacher you perceive to be the issue that's wrong, but the environment they are in and the tools they are meant to work with?

CallmeAngelina · 30/01/2021 19:29

@CountessFrog

Bet you’re glad you left teaching, Call Me Angela.
Eh? Confused
FrippEnos · 30/01/2021 19:29

lunapeace

and finance workers aren't working with children.

Who said that they did?

Because I have kids of my own,

Yay, good for you.

I want to know that their teacher and TA absolutely wants to be there because they care for and respect children.

And because teachers want to be paid for their endeavours you think that this means that they don't care about the children in their care and that you you can call them names?

The children I teach, I always think of my own, I treat them how I wish for my kids to be treated.

And again you seem to think that wanting to be paid for the job means that others don't.

MrsHamlet · 30/01/2021 19:31

Oh please... "if I care for and respect children you take it back"? Give over.

I have a very real issue with people pushing the vocation narrative because it allows employers to guilt trip the lowest paid into doing more without recompense because it's a vocation. It's a nonsense.

It's a job. It's a job I love and am good at, but trying to shame people who are in it for other reasons is not okay.

WanderingMilly · 30/01/2021 19:33

I'm not a teacher but I work directly with the children so if there was 'holiday' school, I'd be expected to go in too.
The answer to your question is No. I don't want to do bloody extra, especially in an environment which I don't, currently, think is safe for us and if we have to go in during the holidays I shall refuse. They will probably sack me but I'm thinking of handing my notice in anyway, so that wouldn't be a problem.....

Amijustagrump · 30/01/2021 19:34

Depends on the pay.. triple my normal pay then yes! I have not stopped since September and need a break

DBML · 30/01/2021 19:36

@lunapeace

When I’m being paid, the kids in my classroom are my priority and I will do whatever it takes to deliver a great lesson; support them; build their confidence; laugh with them and work them towards the best grades possible.

When I’m not being paid, I don’t give them a second thought.

But that’s because I want time to prioritise me; my family; my mental health; my home; my holidays. Up until now, it’s making this distinction between what I do and don’t have to do, that has kept me fresh and made me the teacher I am, getting the highest residuals in my school.

A good teacher is not a yes man. People will always say ‘do it for the children’ and try to squeeze a bit more out of you. Over the years this will drain your enthusiasm and energy. This year management have tried to get more out of staff than ever before,

And one day, when you’ve been teaching for 25 years (and are relatively expensive) you’ll be made redundant; put on capability or the school will find another way of getting rid of you, so that they can afford to bring in cheaper staff.

My advice, don’t fall for the suggestion that to look like you care you have to go above and beyond. You won’t be valued anymore for it or even thanked for it. All that will happen is that it will become expected.

If all teachers stepped up this year and did it ‘for the good of the children’, wait and see what would happen next year.

Positivevibesonlyplease · 30/01/2021 19:36

@BelleSausage

No. I am close having a breakdown already trying to do a full teaching timetable remotely and homeschool a reception child.

Not for a million pounds.

Sorry to hear that. It’s hard isn’t it? I’m enjoying live lessons, however, no discipline issues to deal with, you can just teach, which is lovely. As for teaching during the holidays, yes, absolutely, for a million pounds, or even 10 grand. Even for double my usual wage, but not for less.
CountessFrog · 30/01/2021 19:38

Call me Angela.

You were on threads last year saying you’d had enough of the whole thing because of covid and you were handing your notice in

CountessFrog · 30/01/2021 19:40

Good points made there, DBML.

Same in the NHS. I go home and clock off, I rarely think about my patients much. When I’m at home, I’m not that employee.

Hailtomyteeth · 30/01/2021 19:43

@DBML
Yes.

ChristmasinJune · 30/01/2021 19:43

I'd volunteer to do a week if I could plan something really good quality and beneficial for the children I teach. No more than that though, and I wouldn't be signing up for any govt run pencil pushing for sure!!

MrsHamlet · 30/01/2021 19:43

My advice, don’t fall for the suggestion that to look like you care you have to go above and beyond. You won’t be valued anymore for it or even thanked for it. All that will happen is that it will become expected.

Exactly that.

sarahphimanellahim · 30/01/2021 19:48

Absolutely no way.

I'm employed on a 0.8 contract, and am already working on my day off to try and keep on top of the work. I'm teaching 75% of my timetable as live lessons, and am caught up in so much pastoral work that is relentless atm.

Studying for my doctorate part time. Supposed to do it on my day off, but I'm working on my day off atm. So will need the summer to try and catch up on my studies

WoodpileHouse · 30/01/2021 19:54

TA here. I wouldn't work. I need to rest as do my kids and the holidays are all one of the main reasons to do the job.
The long summer break is one of the great joys of childhood. There is plenty of time as an adult to work all the time.
I am currently supervising a class of 30 vulnerable and key worker children and it's really tough.
Teachers are work from home doing the online work - I think this is absolutely the right thing and I don't have a problem with it it but it means my TA colleague and o have the class. Many of the vulnerable children who are in are very challenging behaviour wise. I am also constantly anxious about catching COVID.
I really want my holiday.

lunapeace · 30/01/2021 19:54

Still missing my point, I only bit because people on here said they ONLY do it to pay the bills / have a 13 week holiday. We need to drum in a good work ethic to our kids that feeds through, if that's their teacher and TA then what hope do they have?

I absolutely take onboard what any of you say who do genuinely care and want to do the job. I know the conditions can be awful (a new leadership team at my school could change all the good things that have happened).

I apologise for my harsh comments but if we are leaving our children in the care of people who really don't give a shit, then that's something that really angers me. But I appreciate the majority of you do care.

A 'job' doesn't have to be for life. I know that too well.

Monkeytennis97 · 30/01/2021 19:54

Spot on @DBML

Atomsaway · 30/01/2021 19:56

Absolutely not. I’m already frazzled from this year so far and I will need the summer holidays more than ever.

CallmeAngelina · 30/01/2021 19:57

@CountessFrog

Call me Angela.

You were on threads last year saying you’d had enough of the whole thing because of covid and you were handing your notice in

Really? Find me the link where I said that.

I might have said that I could hand in my notice (financially), which I yet may, IF things deteriorate. And I considered it quite seriously just before the start of this term.

I am currently seeing how things go. If that's OK with you.

Fortherosesjoni70 · 30/01/2021 19:59

[quote DBML]@lunapeace

When I’m being paid, the kids in my classroom are my priority and I will do whatever it takes to deliver a great lesson; support them; build their confidence; laugh with them and work them towards the best grades possible.

When I’m not being paid, I don’t give them a second thought.

But that’s because I want time to prioritise me; my family; my mental health; my home; my holidays. Up until now, it’s making this distinction between what I do and don’t have to do, that has kept me fresh and made me the teacher I am, getting the highest residuals in my school.

A good teacher is not a yes man. People will always say ‘do it for the children’ and try to squeeze a bit more out of you. Over the years this will drain your enthusiasm and energy. This year management have tried to get more out of staff than ever before,

And one day, when you’ve been teaching for 25 years (and are relatively expensive) you’ll be made redundant; put on capability or the school will find another way of getting rid of you, so that they can afford to bring in cheaper staff.

My advice, don’t fall for the suggestion that to look like you care you have to go above and beyond. You won’t be valued anymore for it or even thanked for it. All that will happen is that it will become expected.

If all teachers stepped up this year and did it ‘for the good of the children’, wait and see what would happen next year.[/quote]
Absolutely,

manicinsomniac · 30/01/2021 20:01

am appalled at the frankness on here of the only benefit being that it pays the bills and comes with 13 weeks holiday

Well, that's more benefit than some people get from their jobs. Lots of people don't love working. They do it because it pays the bills and for no other reason. That's true of people in all jobs. Similarly, loads of teachers do it to pay the bills and get the holidays. Which is one better than just to pay the bills, really!

Some people are lucky enough to love their jobs. Some like their jobs. Some are indifferent and some actively dislike it. I don't see why teaching should be filled only with people who love it. Why would it be?

I'm a teacher. Always loved it until Covid. Now I hate it. I'd work in the summer because my subjects just don't work well online and it would be fun and exciting to do summer projects in person. It wouldn't feel like work. But if I taught an academic subject that was progressing well online, I definitely wouldn't want to come in. Sorry to be selfish but working through the summer would need to benefit me as well as the children!!

Hailtomyteeth · 30/01/2021 20:03

I apologise for my harsh comments but if we are leaving our children in the care of people who really don't give a shit, then that's something that really angers me. But I appreciate the majority of you do care

It's still bollocks. Patronising bollocks.