Here to have a trainee moan

[Warmday]

I’ve been here at my second placement for a little while.

I’ve been working as hard as I can to try and get involved and take part and teach lessons etc etc. But I feel like it’s never enough for my mentor and lead.

Both of them are working from home most days but the lead has to come in and check progress. I just feel like my mentor really isn’t helping me. She barely emails me. I know as trainees we have to be the pro active ones but she’s barely been meeting me in the middle. I think she’s hugely out of the loop because she’s been put on the WFH rota and can’t come in as she lives with her great grandparents who are vulnerable (totally fine because that’s serious) but can’t she at least be guiding me or checking in on how I’m doing. I feel like I’m doing everything right now and no ones checking in on my progress.

I’m also stressed as I’ve got loads of my own work piling up but I also have placement work to do.

Does anyone have similar experiences of mentors that just aren’t being good mentors (yes I know sometimes they’re forced to do it but it’s not their training at stake)

Age and subject?

Are you getting a weekly meeting with her?

What do you mean by loads of your own work? Uni work?

I'd continue to be proactive. Find out exactly what they need you to be doing and do it.

Can you include lines like "please could I have any feedback by XX so I can adjust before teaching".

I’m also stressed as I’ve got loads of my own work piling up but I also have placement work to do.

That's the nature of the PGCE, I'm afraid. It's a masters level academic qualification alongside training in the classroom for QTS.

It's hard, and you're right that it's your training at stake, but that's why it is your responsibility.

You're right that your mentor will check on your progress, but that doesn't actually mean doing everything alongside you. She'll be carrying out her teaching responsibilities from home, and really can work with you remotely at least as well.

You say what you do isn't enough for her, which would imply she's observing and monitoring and giving feedback. You think she'd not helping, but if she's done this then you need to take it on board and do what's being asked. Focus on the specifics.

If you need guidance, you can ask. But she's not there to do all of these things with, or for, you. You can use her as a sounding board for ideas or advice on your planning, ask for support or examples, and share your reflections on your delivery, as well as asking for her judgements.

I don't see why you seem to expect her to generally email you more often?

@Woolff I’m probably just caught up on how useful first placement was and expect it to the the same hut it won’t be.

It will be different as it's another environment, but also as they know you've had the experience at your first placement. It does step up.

All trainees work at their own pace, and if you feel they're expecting too much, you can always ask for more specific support, but you're bound to be far more independent in the second block of training and hopefully trying things out and refining your practice.

Do keep in contact with your mentor and ask for feedback, so you can implement it. If you are working with other teachers' classes, share what you're doing with them and ask thrm for tips and targets too.

I guess you feel a bit disconnected due to the nature of remote learning too.

Continue being proactive. Make sure you are getting your meetings. Reflect on your practise and ask others in your lessons to give you feedback.

The first placement will feel different, everyone was in school which really helps!