Do you ever feel you don't fit in?

[Imsosorryalan]

Went to visit my new school on mon and ever since I feel a bit apprehensive about working there. I'm sure it's just beginners nerves, I've been out of teaching for the last couple of years too which doesn't help I guess.

All the staff were friendly but all were youngish, in their 20's and 30's, super smart, in heels and beautiful!
I on the other hand, felt old and tired ( two young kids) unfashionable and frumpy, with no idea what they were all talking about. I'm more the outdoorsy, berkenstock wearing type!

They are all super hard working ( I'm sure I will be too) but it was like a competition amongst them to see who could get the higher levels!

do you ever feel that you may have nothing in common with your fellow colleagues! Just wondering if I've chosen the right school now!

It is just nerves. You need time to settle in and find your 'people'

I did notice before I left (now a SAHM) that the younger staff were much more career focused/business like than I was (late 30s). Whilst my training was all about classroom displays and suchlike they seem to have a clear path to follow and did what they needed to get there and no more. I'm not saying that's bad, just different.

Good luck

ME.

Yes. New HT arrived, early 30s, staffroom conversation became about going out, picking up blokes and getting hammered, rest of us oldies (ie older than him) were pushed out and he filled the staffroom with NQTs of 22 and 23.

Hope, that's so awful. We have a new head this year and he keep trying to start conversations like that - the time he had to go home during assembly after a heavy night to vomit, before returning to school, etc. It is not going down well with any of us staff, younger or older. He doesn't seem to get why. He seems particularly perplexed that the attractive young NQT isn't more receptive to his tales!
I recently visited his previous school and surprise, surprise - mostly female NQTs in early 20s.