Small rant - don't feel like what I'm doing is worth it!

[Stepawayfromtheminirolls]

I am so fed up this morning, I just want to throw the towel in and forget all about my stupid school, kids, parents and colleagues! My emails this morning took the biscuit.

I'm on rota this week, so had organised husband taking leave from work etc. I was sent an email 8.30pm on Sunday telling me that I don't need to come in as no kids are expected. If I hadn't checked my emails this morning (I usually don't) I would have driven in regardless, and I've texted my colleague who may also not have checked his emails and has a longer commute than I do. I can't believe how inconsiderate this member of SLT is for waiting until such a stupid time to let us know!

Also in my inbox (from the same person) was an email talking about a "praise and concerns" spreadsheet that apparently we should have been (a) updating as teachers and (b) monitoring as form tutors. I have diligently searched through my emails for any prior mention of said spreadsheet, but nada. I am already keeping extensive records of what work I'm setting, which pupils are doing it, the contact I have with pupils and parents, etc. And there's a lot of information on it because I'm contacting every child I teach every week!

And the third email (I haven't even fully read it yet, just the first line) is from a parent objecting to receiving a generic email from me. This person's child has done no work for me for 3 weeks. They are not the only student with uncompleted work, I sent about 25 of these emails over the weekend - hence the email being generic. It wasn't a nag, just notifying the parents and offering support if needed. I also sent 20 personalised praise emails to students engaging well and replied to about 30 emails sent to me by parents and students.

These three emails after I spent 5 hours each day of the weekend setting work, feeding back to students, emailing umpteen people and making half a dozen teaching videos (at the weekend because my husband is working during the week and I need to look after my adorable but demanding 1yo) make feel like I shouldn't bloody bother!

Phew, that was longer than I expected! Rant over. Please feel free to vent so that I feel like less of a horrible person/teacher/mother/wife!

It's tough. I am hating every minute that I have to sit there making "resources" for when we return to work. It feels pointless.

You poor thing

It's so tough at the moment

Hard as it is, keep in mind those kids and parents who are appreciative of your efforts. There will be many, it's just that people don't say it when they are happy.

It’s really hard, sometimes I feel like I’m pouring all this time and effort into a huge black void and I have no idea whether any of it is worthwhile. But sometimes I get an email from a student who’s clearly engaging and that makes it better! I did have one parent tell me that her daughter didn’t do her work set over Easter (year 12!) because she was having her bedroom redecorated...

There’s a teacher support thread in the Staffroom where we share experiences if you’d like to check it out.

More difficult than ever to deal with 'that parent' lambasting you over email when it reaches you in your private space, in your own time, without the immediate support of your line manager. If I felt more confident of getting an alternative job I'd leave teaching right now. Perhaps you live in an area where there are more jobs ...

It doesn't feel like it because you're feeling low, but the parent moaning after you sent an email saying their child has done nothing doesn't has a leg to stand on and is trying to distract from this.

This new way of teaching is super tough. My hearts goes out to all of you

(Not a teacher. Work in a school)

You sound like an amazing teacher and I am sure your efforts are appreciated my most of your pupils and their families. Unfortunately it is always the unhappy ones who are the loudest. Keep going and remember it is only a 4 day week 💐

Yep. Had a huge wobble on Friday after planning new curriculum docs all day "for sept."

Can't see the budget to deliver it nor the ability to either in sept.

Its incredibly tough for you. Expectations bear no reality to what you can achieve. I hope today is a better day

Not a teacher but a parent of a primary age and a gcse age student here.

Just wanted to say the care and attention seen by staff from both my dc schools over these weeks has been amazing.

Work is set daily and questions answered swiftly etc etc and general students and parents support available 24/7.

You guys are doing a fantastic job literally I wouldn't know where to begin and the emotional support knowing there are teaching staff literally at the end of an email is invaluable to most of us.

Well done op and all the staff making this work for our children xx

Totally agree with the comment that you are obviously a fantastic teacher. I'm a parent of three at three different schools, not a teacher but a governor, and am amazed at how hard the teachers have been working. Some things are not ideal, obviously, but this is a pandemic/crisis and a totally new way of teaching. I'm very impressed with all three schools and sets of teachers. I just wanted to say that most parents, like me, are very grateful for all the work the teachers are doing and do appreciate how much harder it is now. Fingers crossed we are back to some sort of 'normal' soon, although I suspect we will have to keep doing an element of virtual learning....

Thank you everyone, such lovely words! Thanks @GravityFalls for pointing me towards the teacher support thread - it is now on my watched threads list for when I need to know I'm not alone!

I felt really awful this morning, and your kind posts have made me feel so much better - MN at its best!

It doesn't feel like it because you're feeling low, but the parent moaning after you sent an email saying their child has done nothing doesn't has a leg to stand on and is trying to distract from this.
/\ exactly this. Don't doubt yourself, I'm sure a generic email was absolutely fine.