Not coping very well

[roaringwater]

I'm an NQT. I trained through a school-based route so I've worked in my school for a while now, so I know all the routines, staff and children. However, I'm finding it so unbelievably hard since we came back in September.

I'm in school at 7.45am and routinely work through my break and most of my lunch. I leave school about 5.30pm, come home and sort my own children out, and then work from about 8pm - 11pm every night and I'm still only just keeping on top of what I have to do. I'm doing about 9 hours over the weekend - this weekend this didn't even include marking my class's long writing piece, I still have that to do.

I'm lucky that my TA is absolutely amazing, but otherwise I feel very very isolated. In my year group, I'm the only teacher who is not part of SLT, so there's no one else on my level I can chat to. My NQT mentor is lovely but new to the school herself so we've yet to talk about anything to do with my NQT year. The mentor I had last year is still on the staff but I feel like I've been completely cut loose.

The children in my class are great but I have a mixed group for Maths every day with children from another class who are routinely vile to me - really rude and uncooperative. Last year, I regularly got great comments about my behaviour management, now I feel like it's gone to cock.

The worst thing is that I feel so lonely - when I do make it down to the staffroom I feel like nobody talks to me. I'm so scared that I feel this low and weepy and crap and it's only week 3 of the year. I absolutely love the time I'm in my classroom with my own class of children, it's just the rest of it that I'm finding hard.

It's haaaaard at the start of term. I never felt like I had a proper handle on my class till Christmas time and I taught for years. I used to make sure I had my lunch in the staffroom at the start of lunch break. I gave myself half an hour then back to work for the second half an hour. I then had renewed energy for the afternoon and I had taken care of myself (food/cuppa/loo). You then get chatting to the staff who do the same, teachers are very routine creatures You MUST remember to take care of yourself.

This book helped me here

Do you socialise as a staff? We used to put a message like 'anyone fancy a drink on Friday at so and so pub?' and you would get a few takers. This was how I got to know people. We only did it rarely but it boosted spirits.

Ask for help re: the rude children. Either the teacher they belong to, your mentor or someone on SLT. Don't be proud, you might get some good strategies suggested. Really helpful book I had a mixed maths class with similar issues to yours and this book gave me great tips.

You sound very committed and thorough - I'm sure you're doing a great job.

Oops - we used to put a message on the staffroom noticeboard.

Double oops - 2nd book link again!

Aaargh 3rd time lucky

I sympathise, after all, you're qualified now so should be able to do it all, yes? NO! You are a new teacher and still need loads of support. Ask for help from SLT or your mentor. Ask someone you trust to observe your tricky class and suggest strategies. See if the Head of Year or Head ( not sure how big your school is) could just pop by one day and put their head round the door. Find out if your 'trouble makers' are the same for everyone - ask their form tutor. And as for working all the hours god sends, try not to do it. Tempting but you need to look after yourself. Sit in the staff room a bit more, chat to people and have at least one whole lunch, evening , weekend day off completely. Cheat, beg, borrow , steal. And sue cow keys book is ace as is her 'surviving the first year of teaching' book. Good luck!!!!

Thank you very much for your encouragement and good suggestions. I know you're right about putting a limit on how many hours I can work. I'll try to get hold of those books and see if I can get a bit of perspective!

Thank you again.

I'm also an NQT. I work the same hrs as you during the day, I don't work in the evenings unless I really have to. I spend one weekend day working. I'm using as many resources as possible that the school provide and am determined not to waste time reinventing the wheel.
I think it's incredibly important not to get too burnt out too quickly. Last year I felt like I barely made it to Christmas and I have learnt from that. I was doing School Direct so was in school 4 days a week.
I could do more, a lot more, but I am trying to pace myself because I know a tried and weepy teacher is no good to anyone. My lessons are all planned a couple of weeks in advance so that if I have an illness I don't have to stress too much.
I'm lucky that in my school meetings usually only take up a couple of hours a week. Last year we had meetings almost every day and I had no time to do the things I needed.
Keep going and make time for yourself too!