Does this happen everywhere in the teaching profession?

[Brownie79]

I work in a school and am fairly new to the profession.
As my time in school has progressed I've started to notice how bitchy most people are.
Everyone seems to be calling people who arent in their little group or in some cases people who are !
It makes me uncomfortable if I'm honest and I'm not sure how to best handle it .
It's already tough working in our profession at the moment, so don't want to make a fuss or fall out with anyone However dont want it to look like Im joining in either.
Has anyone been in a similar position ?

[RingPiece]

I've worked in a few schools and, generally, haven't found it to be the case, in fact most people were lovely. The only two schools that had a bitchy clique were an independent school and an outstanding primary. In both, there were a higher than average proportion of female staff. And in both, I was amazed at just how nasty the people in the clique were, truly horrible. SLT turned a blind eye even when two excellent teachers left because they felt it totally draining.

This is not exclusive to teaching. Since I've become freelance, I've worked for different companies and have experienced similar bitchiness twice though involving both men and women.

[ValancyRedfern]

I've worked in the same school for the last 10 years. For the first 5 I was there it was an incredibly bitchy place, I felt like I was 15 again and I dreaded going near the staffroom. But then a few 'queen bee' teachers left and it's now the loveliest, most supportive place to work and I miss the staffroom so much right now! It's amazing the difference just a few powerful personalities can make.

[LockdownLou]

I worked in a secondary school last year in the pastoral department and I’ve worked in a fair, few different organisations in my time.

Honestly? It was the most toxic, poisonous place I’ve ever had the joy of working in. Utterly despicable behaviour from staff members, worse than the playground. I only have experience from one school though, and I certainly won’t be trying another.

[Aragog]

I guess it can be in some schools.
I've found inlarger schools, especially when I taught secondary, everyone was grouped off and it was rare that those groups mixed.

However I've been in primary for the past years and certainly my infant school, which is much smaller and - crucially - has a tiny staff room, then it's really sociable and friendly where everyone talks together, everyone is included and there isn't really the bitchiness at all. It's a comment visiting staff, such as supply, often make about us. I volunteered at a very small primary before here and it was similar - all very friendly without the cliquey groups.

So I think maybe, reading come comments on here, I've fallen really lucky where o am.

[RufustheLanglovingreindeer]

What is the daffodil emoji for

Well i thought it was supportive

But someone just said they were teacher bashing flowers soooooo...

No idea

[Everydayimhuffling]

Depends on the department/school. I've worked in schools that were like that and schools that weren't. You don't have to stay in a school where the staff are bitchy: there are good ones out there. Good luck OP

[GuyFawkesDay]

Yup. Worked in other sectors pre teaching.

It's not bitchy.

[DioneTheDiabolist]

I've previously worked in the legal sector and in the film industry. They're really bitchy. Way bitchier than the teachers I know.

[0DETTE]

The OP isn’t a teacher, she’s in some kind of support role. Maybe admin or classroom assistant.

She words her posts very carefully to imply that she’s a teacher but she’s not. I wonder if she is jealous of teachers, their professional qualifications , salary and status ?

I know there are many teacher bashing threads on MN right now but in general, people are proud if they have a family member who’s a teacher.

I know many of you don’t feel that ATM and that’s a shame. Because it’s one of the most important jobs in society and many parents And pupils appreciate what teachers do.

[CREH]

I have only worked at two schools as a teacher. One was more bitchy than the other, I just tried not to join in or change the subject! Don't change to fit in, I think these people must be miserable just bitching all day. I always feel like crap if I do get carried away bitching. Hopefully as time goes on you'll find a less bitchy group, if it gets you down look for a new job! Being happy is so important in such an emotionally draining job, good luck!!

[melodien]

My secondary school aged daughter reported that the TAs in the learning resource base she worked in for some lessons spent most of the time gossiping about pupils, some of who were even in the room at the time. Maybe they assumed because they had SEN they were deaf as well

[StaffAssociationRepresentative]

Is this still a Staffroom? Or have non-education staff come in by mistake?

All the staff at my school are lovely. We have lots of banter instead

[redcarbluecar]

I doubt that many people have worked in enough different professions to be able to draw robust comparisons. I’ve not found teaching particularly bitchy (worked in 5 places, 18y) but I’m sure it’s the case in some places. Sorry you’re experiencing this. I guess just get on with the job as best you can.

[Musicalmistress]

@Brownie79 at school hubs, checking on vulnerable families, delivering free school meals much the same as many others.
You don't need to 'trawl' this forum to find a teacher bashing thread these days - they seem to be ten-a-penny. Which is why it seems odd timing that a fellow teacher would then start one, given many people are already sticking the boot in?

[Letseatgrandma]

Everyone seems to be calling people who arent in their little group or in some cases people who are

I can’t make our what your post is saying?

Calling what?

Everyone is calling people on the phone-even those who are or aren’t in their little group?

Everyone is calling people names-even this who are or aren’t in their little group?

[Hwyrynos]

The school where I worked had 40+ staff and all got along brilliantly. I loved it.

[2bazookas]

I never observed or experienced any bitching when teaching. Probably working too hard to notice.

[VickyEadieofThigh]

What an interesting time to start a thread that reflects negatively on teachers.

Indeed.

[HipTightOnions]

Not my experience at all. I am a career-changer and one of the things I love about teaching, especially compared to my so-called “real world” experience, is the team spirit and basic kindness of my colleagues. Perhaps I am in a particularly nice school and department.

[Brownie79]

@Musicalmistress at school ,not trawling through online forums.
How about you?

[Musicalmistress]

Bitchy behaviour can happen in any workplace but I have to wonder where you have been given the flack the teaching profession is often taking on this site that you think it's a good idea to start a thread like this?!?

[SpanishFly]

What is the daffodil emoji for?

[Missteebeee]

The school I worked in was lovely

The staff were all kind and very supportive of each other

The maternity unit I worked on however was awful.

[SquirrelFan]

I started working in a secondary school about a year ago and I have to say, it's the complete opposite in my experience. People are so cheery and friendly--I find I am the Minnie Moaner and have to rein it in! No bitchiness amongst the other staff at all.

[JellyfishandShells]

What is it about some MN posters that they love picking on teachers, in particular ? Reflecting some long held resentments from their school days? Some kind of antipathy towards people from outside of their bubble who have interaction with their precious children ? Limited experience of other professions outside their own jobs ? The only other profession that comes near to getting such generalised abuse is medicine- for some of the same reasons, presumably.