Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

Teachers! I salute you.

27 replies

Buda · 10/01/2008 12:56

Just back from helping to take DS's Yr 2 class to an art exhibition and around the city to look at some buildings. Am totally shattered!

There were 19 children and 4 adults. I had 5 in my group - my DS and 4 others who I know well. The girls both wanted to hold my hand and cuddle me and hang out of me. The boys wanted to slide on the ice and play football. They all wanted to sit by me on the bus.

At the exhibition we had the usual "characters" exhibiting the usual behaviour - all very normal for 6/7 year olds I know. There are a group of 3/4 exceptionally active boys. One complete and total drama queen of a girl (who we nearly lost - damn that missed opportunity !).

I am totally shattered but thankfully could come home and have a quiet lunch and collapse. The poor teacher and assistant can't.

So - to all teachers - WELL DONE. (And can you please tell me where you get your energy and enthusiasm?!!)

Oh - and how do you manage to not want to strangle some of the more challenging children?

OP posts:
Threadworm · 10/01/2008 13:02

Seconded! I know for a fact that I could not cope with a class of children, and I really admire teachers.

ChipButty · 10/01/2008 13:03

So lovely to read this. Thank you, Buda, on behalf of my full-time colleagues who are slaving away at the chalk face as I write! So good to read a positive comment about my profession for a change! xx

coppertop · 10/01/2008 13:07

I agree with you, Buda. Our school has had a few open days where parents spend a couple of hours in their child's class. I have no idea where the teachers get their energy and patience from. I felt exhausted just from watching!

fridayschild · 10/01/2008 13:56

DS1 started reception in September with (amongst others) a girl who had taught herself to read all the words a reception child is supposed to read over the summer, and a boy who did not speak a word of English. How his teacher and TA cope with such a range of ability just astounds me. They got OFSTED excellent for early years in October's inspection

Blandmum · 10/01/2008 14:01

I'm a part time teacher, and thank you for your kind words!

And in answer to your last question, I don't think that we ever learn not to want to strangle them!

Pod1 · 10/01/2008 14:09

What a lovely thread! I go back to teaching next month and have been feeling really nervous after nearly a year out of the classroom. Reading this has made me feel much better! Thank you!

Littlefish · 10/01/2008 14:11

Thank you. It's lovely to be appreciated.

Pod1 · 10/01/2008 14:14

PS sorry to hijack but martianbishop do you teach primary? If so any tips for sharing a class with someone else? I'm going back part time and a little anxious about it!

Original poster
Buda · 10/01/2008 15:02

Well I had my quiet lunch and then fell asleep on the sofa! Have to say the teacher was looking a little jaded at pick-up! She said to me "I do have some characters in my class don't I?"

I must admit to not being overly keen on her at the beginning of the year but having gotten to know her I now do like her. She can be "a bit shouty" as DS puts it and I did see her be quite stern with some of the children this morning but on the other hand I also saw her cuddling the same children when they were doing well and really heaping the praise on.

I have helped out a lot at school (am class rep and on PTA etc) and am full of admiration for teachers. Certainly the vast majority of teachers at DS's school are really nice and very enthusiastic.

OP posts:
TsarChasm · 10/01/2008 15:10

Absolutely! How you get them all learning things is beyond me. And many of my dc's teachers make it such fun too.

I would have to gag and drug 30 children to get them all to sit still and listen to me

mrsruffallo · 10/01/2008 15:16

I would also like to add my appreciation. The amount of time and energy that goes into dd's devolopement and education astounds me.
At Parents Evening I was amazed at how the teacher seemed to really know her and I can't believe how much she has learnt in one term.

And to do this for 30 children!!
I too salute all you hard working teachers out there

DebitheScot · 10/01/2008 15:19

Thank you, I'm going to take that as a personal compliment even though I dont teach your ds! It is nice to be appreciated, the pupils cerrtainly don't seem to appreciate us sometimes.

Moomin · 10/01/2008 15:19

Pod1 I work p/t, not primary and I don't think mb is primary either (if I may make so bold in speaking for mb - and do excuse me if I'm speaking out of my behind)... but I have shared classes before with another part-timer. I think the key is communication between the two teachers.

When I shared a class we weren't there on the same days so we always made sure we emailed one another after we'd done a day, to pinpoint where we were at with the scheme of work we were doing, but also with behaviour/social issues as well. That way, we were aware what was happening with the kids and also make sure they weren't trying to play one of us against the other. If we couldn't email we texted at the very least and left lots of info in each other's pigeon holes. It worked well for us. Good luck

Blandmum · 10/01/2008 15:24

I teach in secondary but i do 'share' two classes....not sure if I can help much with the primary syllabus or anything like that.

brimfull · 10/01/2008 15:28

I think teachers are amazing as well.

I am shattered every time I help.

Also so admiring of their skills with the children .

Blandmum · 10/01/2008 15:37

Pod1

Just some general things that I can think about.

Have a chat after the first few lessons with your job share partner to discuss behavioural issues, agree on any changes to your seating plan, classroom rules that you want to make, and make sure that you both stick to the same rules. This helps to prevent the children getting confused by mixed messages.

Good communication regarding how the children are doing in specific areas is key.

Agree the areas to you both prefer to teach, and make the most of teaching those subjects that you both prefer! I teach the biology, my collegue teachers the chemistry and we share the physics. This way the kids get the benefit of being taught by two specialists.

Get together at report time and agree a joint report. This can give a much more rounded report for the children.

happystory · 10/01/2008 16:03

how nice of you to post this....

Littlefish · 10/01/2008 18:42

Pod1

I'm a primary teacher and I've done a jobshare. I haven't got time to reply now, but I'll be back on again tomorrow.

I agree with what MB said however (of course) but hope that I can also help you to avoid the pitfalls I fell into!!!!

PanicPants · 10/01/2008 18:47

Thank you Buda - thats nice to hear

Hecate · 10/01/2008 18:47

Well said, Buda.

A good teacher - and LSA / TA are worth their weight in gold! - hell, they're worth MY weight in gold

My kids have got FAB teachers/LSAs and I could get down on my knees and kiss their feet sometimes!! (having experienced the other type of teacher..... )

Smithagain · 10/01/2008 20:32

I do children's work at church - principally organising a holiday club for one week during the summer. It takes me at least ten days to recover from that one week. And it only lasts for two hours each day. And I have a team of about 30 people helping me - that's one adult per three children.

Teachers - you are amazing.

Pod1 · 10/01/2008 21:19

Thanks very much moomin and martianbishop. Much appreciated! Littlefish, will look forward to hearing your words of wisdom tomorrow! It's hard enough getting back into the swing of things after the summer holidays but this is a different kettle of fish altogether! Totally agree with you Hecate - a good TA makes the world of difference. Mine's an angel!

jennifersofia · 10/01/2008 21:54

Ahhh, thanks Buda. It is nice to hear.
Totally agree about TA's!
Will be reading about jobshare with interest, Pod1, as I might be in same position after my mat leave finishes...

corblimeymadam · 10/01/2008 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Pod1 · 11/01/2008 11:52

Thanks belgianbun, some really useful hints there! I'm in year 3 and we'll both teach Literacy and Numeracy but share out the other subjects. I've got overall responsibility for ensuring coverage as I'll be the lead professional and have been in the class for 7 years so lots of pressure on me! The lady I'll be sharing the class with has done PPA cover previously so I know her and so do the children. I'm sure I'll be fine once I get going but I may be back on here asking for reassurance until then!