I feel stupid and lost my confidence

[sunshineandstarsgirl]

I have a degree in Psychology and a PG Cert in HR. I wanted to be a teaching assistant. I volunteered in an After school club and did supply teaching assistant work. Then I started a course in my local college-Level 2 supporting teaching and learning in schools. Quite a few people told me NOT to do the course as I am postgraduate qualified. I didn't listen. I started the course last year with a placement. I failed my observation twice- the reason being my tutor from college who came to observe me thinks I don't talk enough to students. I was doing my placement in Year 1. The teaching assistant in my class agreed with my tutor saying I don't talk enough to students. The teaching assistant said I would be better off working with older people as I do talk more to the teaching assistants in class.
I feel so so sad that I failed the course and won't get a certificate.
I am applying for customer service roles now- every job is competitive with lots of people applying via LinkedIn. LinkedIn shows you the number of applicants. If I don't get a job by July, I am planning to apply for Level 1 teaching assistant jobs- which might not need a TA qualification. Should I tell them at the job interview I failed a Level 2 TA course? If I hide it, can I get fired later if they find out?
I feel so sad and lost my confidence after failing my observation twice.
I am ambivert and talk a lot to my close friends.
Feeling sad.

Not doing well on that course sounds a really demoralising experience, so no wonder your confidence was badly knocked. Before you had that tutor observation, how did you feel your practical work was going? I wonder if there was any more feedback too, as well as the parts on not talking with the children very much? It would probably be good to think very carefully about what it was like, and about all the feedback you had from tutors and mentors and anyone else, before starting to apply for school jobs. What is it about TA work especially that you think you would enjoy?

Have you thought about working in FE instead? It might suit you more if you find it easier talking to adults. You could do a PGCE in FE. The observations are still gruelling but you get used to it.

I have a degree and post grad stuff and a TA. A few years back I did a level 2 course and generally found the observations depended on who observing. The course was generally frustrating! I did pass but did not enjoy it.
I did an online level 3 later but no observations. I found I overthought aspects of both courses when ticking course boxes all that needed.
I don't think you do need to mention not passing.
Do you mind supply? Maybe do more and get more experience in different schools with different ages.
I am in my 50s and being a TA does not pay well. If you are young, think carefully about what you want longer term.
Good luck.

Thank you.

I mean this kindly, but if you failed the course because you didn’t like talking with children, are you sure that’s the right job for you? What it is about TA roles that appeals?

What about doing a PGCE? There is demand for psychology A level teachers. But you would need to spend some time in secondary schools to make sure it's the right fit for you