Am I doing the right thing?

[headinabook]

I have a place on the School Direct training programme starting this Sept. I have wanted to teach for so long now. Did an OU degree part time whilst being part-time TA, then did my GCSE in Science last year and finally, 8 years later I have a place. The thing is, as excited as I am about doing this, I am equally as terrified, not about the teaching and learning, but everything else! The sheer volume of work outside the classroom scares me in terms of what it will do to me and my family. DH and DD (age 14) have been brilliant supporters but do they really know what they're in for...And paperwork, bullying head teachers, constant pressure of awaiting OFSTED and negativity in society about teaching all race around my head all the time. Folks, I hear loads of teachers saying why it's a good time to get out of teaching but I need reminding of why it's good to get into it! This is the first time I've articulated this to anybody as trying to suppress own negativity.

I have been teaching 20+ years and I bloody love my job. I find teenagers great fun. Every day is different. I love the performance aspect (frustrated actress) and spending all day, every day chatting to children, albeit about grammar and books.

It really is the top banana of jobs. Got for it!

I love it. I love thinking up new projects, I love seeing students excited about what they're learning, I love seeing them grow as people as well as learners.

Best job in the world.

I must admit, I'm lucky to be able to ignore a lot of the crap at my school and teach what I want and how I want.

Thanks roseformeplease and littleturkish for your encouragement. It's just what I needed to remind me that there are teachers out there who still love their jobs. I want to be one of those too! Thank you.

Teaching was the best decision I have ever made for my family. The holidays mean that I have built up some very special memories that my children will carry with them forever.

Nice thread, OP! I start my PGCE in September. Also feeling a bit delicate about all the negativity!

Another person who loves teaching plus having worked in other fields I would say after the first couple of years the workload in secondary settles down, not so sure about primary tbh I think they have a much heavier workload.

Just be prepared for the fact that it will be a tough year, and then the NQT year will also be tough, but after that will get easier.

I was told while on a teaching placement (PGCE) that I should 'get out now' etc.
going into teaching was the best thing I ever did. Love it - and it doesn't restrict you to classroom teaching IF you chance your mind once your qualifications and experience are under your belt.
One piece of advice that did help me, despite it sounding negative, was that it'd take me five years to feel like I knew what I was doing and not to have to work quite so hard. This was absolutely spot on (confidence came with experience - and alongside that I became more efficient at doing what I needed to do). We should start a thread of top tips for teachers. Little gems such as collecting exercise books open at the page they'd started their work on, were absolute lifesavers - saving those invaluable moments in the day that are best reserved for rushing to the loo!