Do I tell the students I'm a trainee teacher? Boundaries in teaching?

[prettyinpink23x]

I've been getting school experience before my PGCE and they keep asking me if I will be teaching them which I will be in September but do I say I'm a trainee teacher or is that going to undermine me when I start? I'm sure they'd gather that in September anyway.

I'm not sure how much info to share with them because I like to get to know them but I know you shouldn't say too much. One asked me how old I was and I said I'm not telling you and one asked what secondary school I used to go to and I look very young. I'm 21.

How much info should you share without them seeing you as a friend and how do you establish boundaries?

They will almost certainly know in September anyway. My dc have always known when they've had a trainee.

Well I’d answer honestly but not mention I was a trainee teacher,. So if you will be teaching in that school, in September, say so. If you’ll be somewhere else, say so. I used to say I was teaching at a few different schools so that I could share ideas between them.

I did say yes I am training to teach in September and don't know what classes I will have but I'm scared to share too much. I actually don't mind sharing a lot but just wouldn't want to get into trouble but then at the same time I like chatting to them about their interests and hobbies etc.

That was only to one student by the way. I am asking as a general rule.

Keep it as professional as possible. Start with the thought if it's not in the curriculum they don't need to know it. See how you settle in then loosen up a bit if you feel you can

The phrase I heard before I trained was 'don't smile before Christmas.' While I never strictly held to that, what it means is start super hard, as it's much easier to loosen up or relax your rules later. It's impossible to go the other way!!

Don't tell them anything remotely personal. None of their business.

I was never a 'down with the kids' teacher and they respected me for it and knew I wasn't their friend - their teacher who wanted the best for them. Don't be their friend. Be their teacher.

@physicskate Yes I think thats good advice thankyou. I think my issue right now is I'm only a visitor so its not really my role to impose behavioural rules or discipline because I don't want to undermine the teacher so I guess that's why they think they can ask me the more personal questions

It’s hard enough being a trainee teacher anyway, let alone being (relatively) close in age to your students. I think you’ll need to put up even more barriers than those of us who are older teachers in order to protect those appropriate boundaries. I would just say “that’s not relevant, let’s get on with learning”. I tended to refer to myself as a “new” teacher rather than a trainee in my student year.

I suspect I used the phrase 'new to this school.'

Definitely a difficult position to be in. I suppose I was never that approachable. I suppose I would have answered along similar lines as vashta - irrelevant, get on with what you're meant to be doing.

I was never a 'down with the kids' teacher and they respected me for it and knew I wasn't their friend - their teacher who wanted the best for them. Don't be their friend. Be their teacher.

I agree with this, but I would also say be yourself. I've always found it bizarre how many teachers put on what seems to be an entirely different 'teacher persona'. I think it rings false and prevents you from having a good relationship with your class.

It also depends on the age of the kids.
Year 7s will be scared shitless in September (for the most part) so set strong barriers with them. That way they'll know where they stand and they'll respect you all through their school years.

Years 10/11 will see right through the 'strict newbie' act. With them you'll need to build a bit more of a rapport.
Let them know how it's going to be, and as long as they follow your rules, the atmosphere can be a bit more relaxed.

Most will work it out (especially y9-11) but will play along with it.

The best approach in my opinion is to set your stall out, make sure you're familiar with the behaviour policy and be consistent. Then combine that with a friendly manner and be warm and welcoming.

You devide how much of your personal life and personality you bring to teaching. Different people have different boundaries but I think it's much easier to have a clear professional break and ease into a bit more once you're established, have your routines and standards set out. I find staff who are too familiar end up relying on cult of personality rather than teaching stratgies and aren't as respected by the students (even if the students go on about how cool they are).

September is the establishment phase, when you set out your expectations of the behaviour you want in your classroom. That’s where the idea of not smiling until Christmas occurred.

What it really means is that you need to be firm but fair and set your boundaries at the outset. Much easier to do that, than be too relaxed and have them walk all over you. Seating plan, clearly communicated expectations, sanctions following the behaviour policy and acknowledgement when they follow your expectations are key.

Don’t be drawn in to conversations about your personal life, friends, family, likes and dislikes. You are friendly, but not their friend.

Start with the thought if it's not in the curriculum they don't need to know it.

Yeah everything they need to know in life is on the curriculum 🙄

Be honest when asked directly, don't lie, they will find out, but otherwise don't be too vocal with the information.

My son trained to be a teacher last year. He was very conscious of being only 21 and not much older than the students, especially the sixth formers.
You will never be alone in the class as a trainee so it will be obvious that you are training. An early training session he did was on personal interactions and social media (close it down or maximise privacy settings now was the gist of that).
In his first term he only taught a few lessons a week but he certainly tried the stern approach to create authority, together with dressing quite formally to try and look older.