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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

I feel ready to quit

42 replies

Internetperson1 · 17/09/2021 17:26

I’ve just had such an awful day today. Truly truly feel like I can’t do this sometimes at all not for love nor money.

I love teaching. But sometimes I think n this is so hard.

I just watched a kid do something awful three times today like he didn’t seem to learn the first time. Then two more other students later on In the corridor were acting like maniacs. He literally fought like a maniac. I’ve never seen anything like it. Over menial things

I’m tired and they’re draining me. No matter what I do I can’t catch a break.

How do you all cope. I have been thinking about going into possibly private schools or just doing some more research around what I truly want. I’m feeling a bit broken today to be honest.

Everyone’s so helpful on here. I’m hoping someone can tell me what I’m feeling is normal so early in my career

OP posts:

Original poster

Internetperson1 · 19/09/2021 00:24

I agree tbf. It’s very hard some days. I get so scared of the preassure of their progress. Like I know some kids really aren’t making that progress for whatever reason but I worry so much.

It’s taking me a while to also get into the swing of teaching good lessons. I feel like I’m not there yet at all. Only say one lesson I feel went well but I could be being critical of myself.

The gut feelings there. Came on around the end of week one.

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Original poster

Internetperson1 · 19/09/2021 00:28

Yeah I get that. I do understand there are a lot of out of school reasons they are a certain way. It’s just tough sometimes and I find it hard to forget.

My PGCE was very disorganised from start to finish and my mentor was busy a lot so didn’t really have the time to be able to teach me how to do certain things. I just learnt by trial and error.

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JanglyBeads · 19/09/2021 00:40

So what subject are you?

CarrieBlue · 19/09/2021 07:01

Three weeks in (at most)? I wouldn’t expect anything like ‘good’ lessons from an NQT/ECT. Your heart not being in it at this extremely early stage of your career is a huge red flag to me. You’ve never given the impression of enjoying teaching in any of your many posts, you seem to have some idealised vision of children hanging on your every word which is not going to happen, even in the private sector.

You complained about your pgce mentor, now you don’t know who is your induction lead. I’d suggest being proactive about finding out .

AttaGirrrrl · 19/09/2021 10:16

It’s taking me a while to also get into the swing of teaching good lessons. I feel like I’m not there yet at all. Only say one lesson I feel went well but I could be being critical of myself.

You’ve been teaching for LESS THAN THREE WEEKS. Cut yourself some slack.

Are you doing something relaxing today? Make sure you carve out some time for you. Walk with an audiobook / long bath / early night. Don’t let school consume your weekends.

Original poster

Internetperson1 · 19/09/2021 10:36

I’m going to cut myself some slack from tomorrow. I think you’re right I’m my own worst critic.

I did relax this weekend! I’ve been shopping and I’ve been enjoying my favourite foods

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Scarby9 · 19/09/2021 15:50

I'm pleased to hear that you have been shopping and eating well too this weekend.

I just want to echo how early in the school year and term we are, and how incredibly early you are in your career too. There is a reason for the ECT two years - you are still learning.

It's a cliche but we do continue to learn as teachers right through our career. I've been doing this 38 years and I cringe over some of the things I did earlier on, and have continued to finesse and adapt my approaches all the time. Yes, lots is now automatic, as it will become for you, but no-one would expect that to be the case for you yet.

Recognise your successes, however small; secure routines one by one; be kind to yourself, and accept that you are not yet the finished article as a teacher. This is a tough year - tougher for many than the PGCE - but you know that.

Kite22 · 19/09/2021 17:43

I agree you will need to relax and learn to switch off sometimes, but I'm not sure now is the time to be spending the weekend shopping.
If you haven't found the first couple of weeks easy (and who does?) then now is the time to be putting everything you've got into making sure your lesson plans are great and all marking / recording is up to date, and you have tricks up your sleeve for when a lesson goes much quicker than you expected or just isn't able to happen for some reason.

Are you Primary or secondary ?

How can you not know who your mentor is (whatever the 'title' may be now). You need to seek out a colleague (might not always be your officially appointed mentor, it might be someone in your department -if secondary - or a year group colleague if Primary; or it might be someone who was an NQT last year or the year before who seems to have cracked it; or just someone who seems approachable) and say "this happened today, I'm not sure I handled it as best as I could have done - anything you can suggest for another time?" etc.

Kite22 · 19/09/2021 17:46

Hmm. As one or two have referred to your 'other posts' I just did an advanced search to see if there was more information there to see if I could offer any advice....... I had assumed one other thread.

Seriously, perhaps focus a little more on the issues in the classroom and how you can get things right, and a bit less on starting posts on MN ?

Original poster

Internetperson1 · 19/09/2021 23:21

Fair enough but, who said I don’t advanced plan during ppa. You’re making an assumptions, I had a rough week and really needed time to switch off not just for some time out but for an actual work life balance.

I need have a life outside of my job not out everything I have on my weekends where I need to recharge into planning an outstanding lesson.

I know that wouldn’t be healthy because it would make me more stressed. I plan max 2 days in advance. Planning for the week never works for me. I do what works for me and what I have in place right now I feel I am set with. It’ll change but for right now and taking each day as it comes. I know what works and what doesn’t.

It’s a bit strange for you to say “don’t spend time out. Do everything you can to hit burnout in your first few weeks as an nqt” honestly I think mental health takes priority right now and after the week I had. If I didn’t recharge I’d be a mess on Monday. What benefit is that for my students?

I think to echo other really helpful users on here who have a wealth of experience. The rest was necessary.

Also I know who my mentor is. Not induction lead.

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Original poster

Internetperson1 · 19/09/2021 23:22

Yeah I know I agree. I’m not posting every little thing. I’m heeding the advice of others and just going to remain focused and keep going and learn a balance.

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Original poster

Internetperson1 · 19/09/2021 23:24

@Scarby9

I'm pleased to hear that you have been shopping and eating well too this weekend.

I just want to echo how early in the school year and term we are, and how incredibly early you are in your career too. There is a reason for the ECT two years - you are still learning.

Thankyou scarby! Some lovely advice. It’s been a lovely weekend. It’s nice to have a break from things and I know I feel like this new week is a fresh start.

It’s nice to know I’m not alone in how I feel to. Thanks again!!

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JanglyBeads · 19/09/2021 23:50

If you “know what works and what doesn’t”, then it sounds like you don’t need our advice OP.

Kite22 · 19/09/2021 23:52

It’s a bit strange for you to say “don’t spend time out. Do everything you can to hit burnout in your first few weeks as an nqt”

Well, yes, it would be, if anyone had said that. But they didn't.

Also I know who my mentor is. Not induction lead

but it didn't occur to you to ask your mentor?

Original poster

Internetperson1 · 20/09/2021 00:00

@JanglyBeads

If you “know what works and what doesn’t”, then it sounds like you don’t need our advice OP.

Was more in response to what the poster said about planning over the weekend. You pretty much pulled a random sentence there that’s just me saying I know what works in the sense of planning. The advice I’ve had on here is actually really helpful.

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Original poster

Internetperson1 · 20/09/2021 00:04

@Kite22

It’s a bit strange for you to say “don’t spend time out. Do everything you can to hit burnout in your first few weeks as an nqt”

Well, yes, it would be, if anyone had said that. But they didn't.

Also I know who my mentor is. Not induction lead

but it didn't occur to you to ask your mentor?

But it is because the poster said it’s not the time to be shopping right now. But if not now, I’m setting myself up to fail as I’ll keep thinking oh well actually I could do this this and this every weekend. Which then becomes an endless cycle of not knowing when to say I need some time to focus on myself.

Okay, I’ll ask. I didn’t know it was a thing so I couldn’t ask? But now I know I’ll raise it.

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MrsHamlet · 20/09/2021 06:27

It concerns me that you don't know that induction leads are a thing. Do you know anything about induction and the early career framework?

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