There is a limit

[monkeysox]

I have reached it. I'm so finished with this shit.

eviloops Did you not start as a classroom teacher? How condescending you have become over the last, let me guess, 4 years?

Oh and teachers is plural. It does not need a '.

Someone else here feeling the same! I'm meant to be 4 days a week but have been in on my day off twice this term to catch up on work I can't get done during the week and two days of my October break for rehearsals for a show the head has asked for and not given me or the kids time to actually pull it off. Don't think I'll see the extra pay though... Also in school the next two Saturdays for rehearsals. Will not be taking on this task again with such a short time limit. I have an 18 month old at home. He is definitely coming second to work at the moment and fed up of it being that way! I'm Scotland too. Think education is the same nationwide, but most other employers are expecting more bang for their buck all the time. It's not fair.

Elephant - I teach 0.7 of a full timetable; I'm stressed beyond belief, however I've learn that since having a child of my own, I simply cannot do more than what my energy and wellbeing will allow.

Condescending no, realistic, yes!

I'm in Scotland too and I'd have to say I've never known morale so low. Out of 13 teachers, only 4 have remained at the same stage again this year (mostly of their own choosing). They are all mentally and physically exhausted at the end of every day and struggling with CfE at their new stages despite the school having lots of information and resources.

Our classes are bursting at the seams as we continually get new pupils in from other areas or other schools in the town and a lot of then have learning needs of various kinds and we are given no resources either financially or staffing to address these.

Retirement/winding down can't come quick enough ........ oh no, I forgot I'll have to work until at least 67

Elephant I'm not sure attacking a stranger on the internet is going to make you feel any better about your current situation.

I do think eviloops was just trying to be supportive. It gets to us all, particularly at this end of term. Break duty, lunch duty and Parents'' Eve for me tomorrow. Plus TA out. Yay.

Two days left.

I have spent the last few days debating whether or not to pursue teaching and apply for the post grad for next year.
This thread is beyond depressing to read, and sadly confirms some of my biggest worries about going in to teaching. I have wanted to enter teaching for years, but really am not sure if it would be a massive mistake given how education is right now.

I take my metaphorical hat of to you all. I don't know how you all do it! I'm an awe of you all!

Half term on the horizon. It has been a long term this first one. Hopefully the week(or precious two for some of us) will give us the time and space for some perspective.

TanintedAngel sorry to be negative but I would not recommend teaching to anyone, especially if they have young family of their own. Mine are grown up and I just about keep my head above the water. I don't know how anyone could do it full time and look after a family as well. We don't have to do break or lunch duties which is good but it would appear a lot of others do. I need my break to recover and my lunch time for marking so that I'm not there all hours after school.

I wonder how many youngsters entering teaching are the children of teachers - not many I'd imagine. I did everything I could do dissuade mine from it.

Thanks eviloops. Appreciate your comments.
I work with a supportive SLT and it does make a difference.

Only one more get up! Whoop whoop everyone. Party poppers at the ready.

I moved jobs two years ago from a school with a narcissistic power crazed but incompetent head and an evil deputy. The two of them drove the school into the ground. In the summer term 7 of the 8 class teachers resigned. Because the school is in requires improvement they are finding it very hard to recruit and half of the staff that are there are on supply.

Both the head and the deputy were pushed resigned and the new head is having a hell of a job mopping up the mess left behind in what is essentially a really lovely school with fabulous eager pupils.

They are overdue an ofsted and their SATS data ain't great due to the high number of SEN pupils in the school. I feel so sad for them- it used to be such a lovely place to work.

I have reached my limit. Bang on 5 years, too.

You did well to reach 5.
In my experience, most teachers seem to do 2-3 years, or 25 years.

Thanks!

Supply it is. Good luck.

Kids are vile creatures.

However pissed off you are at the SLT, the system, the politics, the parents, no teacher should be writing this.

The international schools are starting their recruitment for next August now. I found my current job via the TES- it is in Asia and I love it. Well paid, well resourced, lovely students and great colleagues. There is paperwork and all the usual duties but they don't seem so bad when the sun shines every day and you live in a condo with a pool.

Come home in tears at the way I have been spoken to today. I think some managers think they can speak to adults like they are naughty children.
It seems there are a lot of us crying this just can't be ok. I have had a career before this and have never felt so belittled. Seriously considering resigning

If I lived in area with other jobs to apply for then I would give up teaching, but no chance of escaping I'm afraid.

Back on Monday after holidays and I will be counting the days till the Christmas break

I've just moved to a new school and it's amazing how the management handle things. It's lovely. I was questioning my career choice last year and now I'm home about to start half term and thinking I could easily work next week still, I love my job again.

Remember the SLT are also under massive pressure too.

I think you all work at my supply schools. In one school 58 members of staff have left in last 2 years and it is only a 2 form entry primary. All of the office and care taking staff, all of the NQT's, some experienced class teachers and LSA's.
I've been teaching since 1978, full time until 5 years ago. Along the line there have been many " can't do this much longer" blips, but none so much as now.
I don't know how any one can sustain a full time career for more than a couple of years, especially with a young family of their own.
I get home from a day supply listening to all the nonsense and am completely exhausted.
It is not benefitting the children at all. Ironically, my regular schools tell me they look forward to me coming in as I am not as stressed as the rest of the teachers and the children enjoy my "fun" versions of the nonsense.
Incidentally, the "fun" versions of the nonsense is just normal stuff from back in the day when teachers knew what children needed to do to learn.