Can't stop crying

namechangedyetagain · 2023-04-29T08:51:33+00:00

Another interview another failure. That's three now. One more coming up but honestly feel broken and I'm clearly not good enough to teach

TheNefariousOrange · 29/04/2023 11:47

Are you an ECT? Are you getting through to interview or are you being sent home after the lesson?

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 29/04/2023 13:48

I'm just finishing ECT years. Every interview I've been to so far has been whole day with a few activities

OP posts:

Mcadbury · 29/04/2023 19:10

is it the lesson? Did you ask for any feedback?

ProfessorGambol · 29/04/2023 19:42

That is really tough, but definitely doesn’t mean you’re not good enough to teach. It’s hard to keep putting yourself forwards, I know. Courage to you.

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 29/04/2023 19:51

Lesson feedback was I could have done a little more live modelling but it was clear and I had the best AfL on the day and walked el the room. So assume it was my interview that I messed up. I'm in a bad place so can only assume its coming through.

Another interview this week - 20 min reading with y4. This is my last ditch attempt so I need to do well

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tfh · 29/04/2023 20:51

Why is it your last ditch attempt? It's really normal to have lots of interviews before you find the right job. Look at it another way - every interview is giving you good experience and practice answering the same questions which will make you even better and more confident next time!

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 30/04/2023 08:14

It is good experience and I've had some lovely feedback despite not being chosen.

I think last ditch because I feel utterly broken by my current school situation I know I only have until end of May to hand in notice else I'm there until Christmas at least.

I need to find an amazing activity for the next one and work on my answers so my fragility doesn't show

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TheNefariousOrange · 30/04/2023 08:23

How do you know you had the best AfL? I think I must have had about 8 interviews before I finally got a permanent job, and I was promoted 8 months later so it wasn't down to ability in teaching. You'll be up against people with more experience, and people cheaper than you, so like the other PPs said, each interview is a chance to practise. Are you giving enough detail in your answers?

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 30/04/2023 09:41

It was the feedback about AfL I was given from the head in the phone call. Lesson was OK but could have put a little more live modeling in middle.

I agree I don't think I'm going into enough detail in the answers and so can sound a a bit muddled I think esp when I'm nervous. I am going to look at some questions I've been given and write out bullet point answers / examples.

Have just spotted 2 more possible jobs to go for this side of half term so today I'm finishing planning for my class, then starting to think about answers.

Reading I have a couple of ideas about. Possibly prediction based . It's just so short a time

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TheNefariousOrange · 30/04/2023 10:09

Ok, so just some tips for the interview, ensure you are giving solid examples and talk about the impact and your growth and remember they are scoring you based on what is on the person specification, so you should ensure you lift vocabularythey have used. Also ensure you have read the school's webpage and can reflect on that in your answers (not continously but so it shows that you are applying for a role in their school and you want it). For example (bear in mind this is secondary, you'll need to tailor it for you):

How would you describe your behaviour management style?
I would describe myself as firm but fair (answered the question). I'm the sort of teacher that rarely shouts so when I do, the children are really shocked (explaining what I mean by my statement). I give clear warnings and explain to the student what needs to change and how they can achieve that and what will happen if not. I praise the positive behaviour and SIMs reports show that I give out the highest number of merits in my department (evidence). My behaviour management is rooted in mutual respect (a phrase I've lifted out of the job description), so if there is an issue in my classroom, I'll always reflect on why that might me. For example, I had a really tough bottom set year 9 class last year and mob mentality really formed and made it difficult to teach. I reflected in my lessons and thought maybe they were too tricky and so slowed down the pace and included more scaffolding. Then every time someone finished an activity or they answered a question or were focusing hard their name went into a bag, at the end one name was drawn and they got a sweet. Eventually our relationship was repaired and their progress really came on in leaps and bounds. It's meant this year with my bottom set year 8 class, I focused from the start on planning for behaviour (impact and reflection).

NEmama · 30/04/2023 11:36

Ask if you can be observed with your class at your current school with students you have built relationships with already?

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 30/04/2023 12:44

TheNefariousOrange · 30/04/2023 10:09

Ok, so just some tips for the interview, ensure you are giving solid examples and talk about the impact and your growth and remember they are scoring you based on what is on the person specification, so you should ensure you lift vocabularythey have used. Also ensure you have read the school's webpage and can reflect on that in your answers (not continously but so it shows that you are applying for a role in their school and you want it). For example (bear in mind this is secondary, you'll need to tailor it for you):

How would you describe your behaviour management style?
I would describe myself as firm but fair (answered the question). I'm the sort of teacher that rarely shouts so when I do, the children are really shocked (explaining what I mean by my statement). I give clear warnings and explain to the student what needs to change and how they can achieve that and what will happen if not. I praise the positive behaviour and SIMs reports show that I give out the highest number of merits in my department (evidence). My behaviour management is rooted in mutual respect (a phrase I've lifted out of the job description), so if there is an issue in my classroom, I'll always reflect on why that might me. For example, I had a really tough bottom set year 9 class last year and mob mentality really formed and made it difficult to teach. I reflected in my lessons and thought maybe they were too tricky and so slowed down the pace and included more scaffolding. Then every time someone finished an activity or they answered a question or were focusing hard their name went into a bag, at the end one name was drawn and they got a sweet. Eventually our relationship was repaired and their progress really came on in leaps and bounds. It's meant this year with my bottom set year 8 class, I focused from the start on planning for behaviour (impact and reflection).

That is brilliant! Thank you so much. I can see really how to structure a good answer. That is really helpful. Thank you

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Postapocalypticcowgirl · 01/05/2023 10:39

namechangedyetagain · 30/04/2023 08:14

It is good experience and I've had some lovely feedback despite not being chosen.

I think last ditch because I feel utterly broken by my current school situation I know I only have until end of May to hand in notice else I'm there until Christmas at least.

I need to find an amazing activity for the next one and work on my answers so my fragility doesn't show

There's still quite a few weeks before the half term, so there will be other chances to interview- I don't think you should give up.

Also, this is probably the hardest time of the year to find a new job, I think, as everyone is interviewing and keen to move. If you're brave enough to take the leap to hand in your notice without a job, it will be much easier to secure a job after May half term, as there will be so much less competition.

I'd also add, if you really want to get out, prioritise applying for jobs and interviews over your current job. I know it's very hard, but if you do your applications/interview lessons, you'll be tired and rush through it. Instead, prioritise them, and rush your planning for your current class. I know that sounds brutal, though!

You've had some really good advice on interview answers.

I'd say try to find examples for all the common things you could be asked about e.g. behaviour management, progress, planning, literacy, strengths and weaknesses, curriculum and so on.

Also, at interview, really try and show what you can add to the school- e.g. extra curricular, experience in a specific subject area. Even if they don't specifically mention it, sometimes things like being willing and able to run e.g. a school music group or similar can sway things between two similar candidates. The school might not even know they want X club, or X sports team, but suddenly you mention it, and it may be the deciding factor.

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 01/05/2023 13:25

I am writing bullet points for example questions and trying to reframe negative into positive like I've not had any training becomes I've sought to work collaboratively with other colleagues in the mat.
Just need to find an e m amazing short reading activity now.
Have done the basic planning for this week but im concentrating on interview. Strike day tomorrow is a bonus!

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Dendron123 · 03/05/2023 22:32

2 things

as others have said , consider handing your notice in anyway. If nothing else you could do Supply for a few months, see how different schools operate, build up your confidence…
Apply for jobs you don’t want/ think you’ll get. The relaxation of you not caring about getting that particular job may help you in interview situation. (You could turn it down if you really didn’t like the school on the day).

Whatever you do, don’t give up. You may have to make many applications to get a new job.

Somewhere there’ll be a school that suits you.

Schools that reject you? They have lost out.

Themosthappy89 · 04/05/2023 17:30

How is your job search going now? I'm a teacher with 5 years experience and I've just been rejected from my 3rd interview. Got 4 more interviews lined up but it's so disheartening

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 04/05/2023 22:56

I'm about to have 4th interview with 2 more schools to visit next week.

Have pretty much decided that I'm giving it one term to see if things improve and if it doesn't notice is going in October and I'm trying supply after Xmas. Not really sure if it will work child care wise though that's my only worry.

5 years experience, can't believe you're not being snapped up. Though I guess it might be money based decision making?

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Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 05/05/2023 17:25

Another rejection

I don't know what to do. I can't keep doing this and it knocking my confidence over and over.

At the same time I can't carry on wishing I'd crash my car into a tree on the way to school...

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Dendron123 · 05/05/2023 19:13

See your GP asap and get signed off. No job is worth this.

Phone your union.

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 05/05/2023 20:20

But say what? We have 13 teachers. 7 are leaving or have applications to go in the summer. Why isn't anyone asking why?

Feeling pretty desperate tonight so off to bed shortly

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MrsHamlet · 05/05/2023 20:32

Dendron123 · 05/05/2023 19:13

See your GP asap and get signed off. No job is worth this.

Phone your union.

This.

No one is asking why because they think "churn" is good or because they don't really care.

I've been where you are. I'd picked the wall.

Original poster

namechangedyetagain · 06/05/2023 07:33

Other teachers have also mentioned the tree. Which makes me think it's not my poor MH it's the environment we're in.

I'm exhausted by being unsuccessful at interviews and need a plan. I love teaching my class. I do not love the lack of support from slt when my chn are throwing things and disrupting lessons, the constant chopping and changing being told one thing by one slt then another 3 hours later, not having another adult in the class so not being able to give fully.

We've been told that every school is like this. I feel Completely desperate this morning

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Themosthappy89 · 06/05/2023 07:35

From the feedback I've received after the unsuccessful interviews, I actually think my problem is I'm being too modest. My husband is also a teacher and got his first middle leader role last week (starting September) and I asked him about he got on in the interview part. He said "When I left I was a bit worried I'd been too arrogant and overconfident in the interview". They rang him 2 hours later to snap his hand off for the job.
It's really hard to keep being rejected. The other day I couldn't stop crying and blaming myself. My current role has me on an informal support plan (for reasons I do not agree with, I think they think I'm too expensive) but that's knocked my confidence too.
I'm going to spend the next few days before the next interview practising interview questions and making sure I am bigging myself up as much as I can! Also practising positive thinking, telling myself they'd be lucky to have me etc.
I may not have got these interviews so far but I refuse to give up. I'll attend 12 interviews if it needs to happen!
Hope this helps you also a little 🙏

TortolaParadise · 06/05/2023 21:19

namechangedyetagain · 06/05/2023 07:33

Other teachers have also mentioned the tree. Which makes me think it's not my poor MH it's the environment we're in.

I'm exhausted by being unsuccessful at interviews and need a plan. I love teaching my class. I do not love the lack of support from slt when my chn are throwing things and disrupting lessons, the constant chopping and changing being told one thing by one slt then another 3 hours later, not having another adult in the class so not being able to give fully.

We've been told that every school is like this. I feel Completely desperate this morning

As frustrating as this all is SLT do not have a magic wand to fix everything. They have to tow the party line that comes from above. There is a bumper crop of SLT vacancies being advertised. It is the system that is failing us. Sadly that system is everywhere.

Keep applying you will find a place that is a better fit for you.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 08/05/2023 08:31

Hand your notice in anyway. No job is worth your health.

after May half term competition goes down
there will always be supply
a non teaching job is better than a toxic job

Remember they are not rejecting you they are selecting someone else. There is a difference. You are getting interviews and positive feedback. It is just a matter of time and resilience (which is mega hard at the best of time and extra so when you are in a toxic place).

If you are genuinely tempted to drive into a tree, go speak to your gp. Your family need you healthy.