What are the positives about teaching at the moment? Particularly primary/junior school?

[Belletower]

Currently studying at Uni, and considering my options.

I have read so many negatives about joining the teaching profession (and for every other profession I have expressed interest in), but would like to know more about the positives?

Holidays, the children (only some), pay and pension. Im a primary teacher. Those 4 are the reasons I don't leave teaching. There are way more negitives in my opinion. It doesn't suprise me at all that people have tried to put you off.

I know you're trying to look for positives but I honestly wouldn't do it. I left Teaching two years ago and became a TA. I still get the joy of teaching but none of the stress or responsbility. Yes, it is less pay but the amount of money you get for the amount of hours you work is pathatically low.

There’s not always pay and progression now, though. Have known a few people stuck on the bottom rung because 'it's that or redundancies'

The children. It’s bloody hard work but I still love it. The key thing is to get into a good school with supportive SLT. Have you got any experience in schools?

Not having to do the same thing all day. The students. Getting to use my subject specialism. The pastoral investment in kids. Seeing their faces on results day. Varied progression routes depending on your strengths and interests. I like that it's quite a creative profession (school depending). There's pros and cons for all jobs. (Sorry for lack of line breaks).

If you get a fairly straightforward class without behavioural issues it can be enjoyable and obviously it is good to see the progress over the year. The pay is ok and you get a pension. Mixed views on the holidays personally yes you get a lot but I am generally ill and I don’t like the lack of flexibility. If you have younger children then it is good to spend the holidays with them.

Not having to find too much childcare in the school holidays.

Ach, well I LOVE it. However, I teach SEN (small class, different, often less mundane paperwork, more freedom, less judgement) in the nicest school in the world with the best Headteacher on the planet. It also helps that I'm 40 and learned how to teach in easier times.

Children x

The children are the main positive for me. I look forward to work every day, even if I am drained at the end of the day! There are lots of pressures, but no different to any other professional job IMO (I say that coming from another professional career). The hours are long (I work around 50 hours a week) but the holidays compensate for this.

Getting paid to do papier mache on a Friday afternoon. Getting to know my class. Feeling proud of their progress. Holidays.

I'm a part time job sharer on a 2.5 contract, I work 30-40 hours a week. Love it though.

I have got the most lovely class this year. They are such fun and eager to do stuff.

Last year wasn't so good.

The good bits are fabulous, making you feel you can do/achieve literally anything.

The bad parts leave you feeling totally worthless.

Sometimes they alternate in quick succession within the course of one day. Or one lesson even.

I taught for 20 years. Left 3 years ago. Much happier in my new job now. Self employed.

If you've got a strong pull towards teaching - do it. However, I am actively putting my own kids off from the profession. Just saying.

Positives - The children are great. Also every day is different - being outside on glorious days teaching PE, having a fun music session, making all sorts of creations in art and dt, class discussions that lead to all sorts of inquisitive questions (that I hadn’t even thought of), watching their progress and confidence grow over the year, learning about new topics myself.

Negatives
Long working day
Pay - if you want to teach and not manage - UPS jobs few and far between in my area.
Constant pressure and accountability regarding pupil progress - too much data bashing.

Positives outweigh negatives. Although don’t think I’ll work up to anywhere near retirement age - it’s too knackering :)

Thank you all so much for your input. I have had a read over your replies and there seems to me so much good i the profession which is completely overshadowed by the bad

I am still in two minds. I would love to teach, but perhaps I should look at adult or university education!

I work across a lot of schools. Some of the work that is going on in teaching English in primary/juniors is so brilliant and inspiring at the moment. Teachers engaging with research and driving for excellence while still being damn well lovely to their pupils. Lots of primary schools make me really happy.

The flip side of that, of course, is that the teachers are absolutely working their socks off. I think the rewards and satisfaction are worth it, but it depends very much on the combination of all the factors.