Ready to quit already.

[Swimmingiscancelled]

Returned to teaching last week after a break at home with DCs

I’m back in a formal classroom after my last post was more like tutoring. I have previously struggled with teaching in a couple of roles - I just don’t seem to be able to keep all the plates in the air and teach to the plan.

I can’t do it. Since my first day, it has been a battle with the IT. I have pupils and support staff in school and at home. I am expected to be in school teaching both simultaneously.

I have pupils with SEND who are really unsettled by all the changes and I feel out of my depth.

My own young children were in school as key workers - but after the DfE changed their guidance last week the places have been cancelled as I am only part time and DH is WFH. But they are also demanding and I don’t have the time I need to focus on the job.

I am struggling to meet all the needs including meeting my share of the job share and now my colleague is unhappy.

I just want to admit defeat and walk away although if I do I know that will be the end of my teaching journey. How can I get on top of this mess and carry on?

I’m sorry you are feeling like this. Teaching is ridiculously hard and the bashing we are getting from the public regarding online learning is unfair. You’ve only just got back into teaching so I would say take it one day at a time. That’s how I survive! I try to get much work done over the weekend so I have less to do during the week. I hope you feel better soon.

I’m a primary NQT this year (I did my PGCE 20 years ago - long story), so whilst I am afraid I have absolutely no advice, I really empathise.

I echo what the PP said: I just pretty much operate a day at a time. Esp at the moment. My head of year is struggling, my other colleague was an NQT last year, and I am now in class teaching the bubble after she got covid and had to stay home.

After a very stressful week 1 trying to get on top of planning/ getting work on line/ marking on line work, I am relieved to be back in class.

I enjoy the 9-3, but hate the ‘idea’ of the job, if that makes any sense, all the planning and marking, and threat of moderation (until cancelled), and SATS.

My children are older (17, 14 and 8) and I feel
I have no time for them, I am consumed by other people’s children. My HT is happy with me, and I am hoping he will think about me going part time (I was part time TA for past 2 years). I look back on how stress free it was as a TA, but I was bored - am hoping part time will give me a balance, and I can work on my days off instead of evenings and weekends...

Just keep on keeping on: do you have a colleague at work you can talk to honestly? These are really tricky times for everyone.

@sydenhamhiller

Hi, I am just wondering how easy you found it to get on your NQT after doing your PGCE years ago? Have you been working in schools since etc.
I completed my PGCE in PE in 2018, been doing supply since, but only had day-to-day and short-term posts (1/2 weeks) and I am struggling to a job now as my references are no longer recent, still using my PGCE tutor and mentor.