Do I stick with it?

[chocolatebourbon]

Hello, I’ve just cone to the end of my teacher training year in France. I’m knackered!! First year of full time work outside UK, first year of teaching, have been given training but would not describe it as high quality. I’ve passed the training year (I think - waiting on confirmation but no reason to think not- have been allocated a job for next year) but its been tough. I have some challenging teenagers in my classes and just started to wonder today whether I can seriously keep doing this every year! I’ve got through thus year on determination to succeed, but how will I keep myself motivated? I love teaching, helping children, my subject too, but I find classroom management difficult so sometimes wonder if I am actually helping my students, and I spend waaay too much time prepping. Do these things seriously get easier with time?? Or am I kidding myself? I have two DC, other hobbies, DH earns enough to support us all but I wanted to make my own financial contribution and have my own salary coming in. I want to stick with it but am already anxious about September arriving and getting back on the treadmill…

It does get easier. Are you staying in your training school?

Thanks, I think that’s all I needed to hear really! I’m changing school but that has some upsides (shorter commute, fresh start, quite possibly more dynamic department/colleagues) as well as potential downsides (poorer area with reputedly more challenging intake in terms of behaviour). Just had one tough day today which has knocked me down a bit. Surely after six weeks off I’ll have energy to start all over again, it just seems difficult to believe at the moment!

You will feel differently after the summer holidays and especially when you come across things that you have done before.
If it’s a school with a challenging intake I would read up in behaviour management over the summer so that you feel prepared. Everybody is on their knees at this time of the year, you’ve got this!

All teachers are wrecked coming up to end of year. I think if it was announced that we had to do one more week we would all collapse in a heap . But the holidays work and you will be tired for 2 weeks and then get going again.
I remember my first year teaching. I thought when the Summer comes l am giving this up and looking for a public service job. 40 years on l have had a very successful teaching career and getting ready to retire. Experience will really help. Hang in there.

Thanks! Feel better already now I’ve given the last lesson of the year! (And yes, I am reading up on behaviour…).