Feeling Grumpy for the first time

[Bakingwithmyboys]

I'm feeling particularly grumpy this evening. I left school actually wanting to cry and I haven't done that in a long time. It may just be the end of half term talking but I need to vent.

I've been teaching 17 years, 8 of those were part time but I'm back full time now. I am however, still on MPS. At the top end but have never been able to progress. My schools policy is that to get into UPS you have to lead a core subject and they would never give that to a part timer. Plus we have so many young teachers with no responsibilities chomping at the bit for it.

My second grump was listening to an ECT in my year group. She is actually in her 3rd term having started in Jan. She's been pulled up over her next step marking. However another teacher who is shadowing the English lead has tried to mark with her to show her how it's done. This teacher is herself only just out of ECT 2 and not taught our year group. So her next step marking was wrong. - inexperienced teachers teaching inexperienced teachers just got me grumpy.

I've been at this school for a long time. 12 years this year. Beginning to wonder if I'm done with the school or done with teaching.

It’s the end of a really long half term and I have been unbelievably grumpy for the last week or so. See how you feel after a couple of days of rest!

I'm constantly grumpy.

I'm retiring in July. It's all so pathetic now after 29 years. Sorry but I have nothing positive to give.

Me too! I’m usually so positive but was in tears for the first time yesterday. It’s been a long half term and the students are getting worse in their behaviour. Maybe give it more time but keep an eye out for other opportunities.

I’m sorry you’re feeling grumpy, OP. It’s felt like a very very long half term. I hope you are feeling a bit better this morning.

For what it’s worth, I suspect your union might be interested to know about your school’s de facto policy on UPS. It may well be discriminatory.

Sorry you felt /feel grumpy. It has been a very long half term and I know in my school, everyone was feeling quite short tempered this last week!

With the UPS - it is worth speaking to your union as that does not sound right at all and I'm not surprised you're aggrieved!

It's frustrating when inexperienced colleagues are trying to guide other inexperienced colleagues- as you say, it often doesn't go well. Who is the ECTs mentor? If there is an issue with marking, the mentor should be able to help them.

Would you consider changing schools? Sometimes, a change is as good as a rest, as the saying goes!

The ECT mentor is our year lead. I did speak to her and she has a plan of action.

The thing with the UPS, do other people get put on it for experience alone? I am finding it hard to take on much else at the moment due to family. I don't know if it would be the same in other schools as I am expensive and would be more so going through to UPS. But yes, starting to feel like my experience is worth nothing.

I'm debating a new school. Definitely starting to look more. My head is very good at time out of class for my sons assemblies and sports days etc. I know that's not guaranteed elsewhere. Plus they let me rock up to school at 8am due to childcare.

Definitely feeling a little stuck but I guess we shall see what the rest of this year brings.