I can’t say too much as I don’t want to out myself.
I’m new to teaching and was told I’d have a thorough handover for the class I’d be taking soon. Well, that hasn’t happened and I’ve been dropped into the class at short notice - not knowing where planning is, needs of the children, abilities, NOTHING. Didn’t even know where the light switch was located in the classroom!
I was told I’d just be covering for a day and the children knew I was only taking them for a day and then their teacher would return. So they did what most kids their age would do and pushed boundaries - lots of chat, swinging on chairs, getting up out of seats, trying it on with ‘our teacher lets us do xyz miss!’
I had to set my expectations and firm boundaries and gave them warnings about how they would miss some of their break time if they didn’t finish the work etc. I followed the school’s behaviour policy and had to put sanctions in place throughout the day. The children didn’t finish the work in the morning so they were kept back for ten minutes to finish and then released for the remaining ten minutes of break - I didn’t take a whole break time from them, as that’s not fair and also counterproductive.
Well, parents complained that I was too strict and shouldn’t have taken their break time away from them. One parent approached me and mentioned that they were all complaining about me on the playground. A few emailed the Head. I came in the next day and it was dropped on me last minute (again) that I’d be taking the class again and we had a better day on the whole. Lots of positivity, great behaviour for learning, told the kids how proud I was of them, let them choose a class game as a reward for having a great morning. The afternoon went down hill behaviour-wise and a couple of children were moved to the class next door for disruptive behaviour (after so many warnings of course).
Well, that blew things up massively! A parent came shouting and swearing at the Head, saying their child didn’t do anything wrong and all the parents know I’ve been too strict on the children and that their child is in tears from being moved to another class. I should say this child was swinging on their chair, turning round and talking to/disrupting others, decided not to get a reading book when I mentioned it’s independent reading time and to top it all off, left the classroom without telling me where they were going!! I had given them warnings and followed that in line with the behaviour policy, until it got to the point where they were moved. They wasn’t just instantly moved out of the class and they wasn’t the only one moved either.
I can’t get it all out of my head though and I’m due to teach this class full-time soon. I’m saddened that I was thrown in at the deep end with no handover or transition. I’m saddened for the children as well as myself. I’m worried that I’ve made an awful first impression on the children and parents as I understand that these relationships are vital to getting the best out of the children and ensuring that they thrive. I feel like there’s no way of getting a good relationship with them now, especially when parents have been complaining on the playground (which means their children have probably heard these complaints as well).
I think the Head is annoyed with me. An email has gone out saying they’re having a supply cover the class for the time being and they’ve been thanked publicly for doing so (when I received no thanks for it being dropped on me last minute).
I’m not sure what to do.
Feeling like maybe I’m not cut out for this and should leave as I can’t see this getting any better. A first impression tends to be a lasting one but on the other hand, there would’ve been complete chaos had I not set firm boundaries on day one. I had the mind of being firm but fair (hence the game as a reward for good behaviour). Turns out I’d have been better off not being firm at all. I do wish I just let it go and didn’t have the expectation of finishing work and part of me wishes I just let them chat endlessly instead of writing as I wouldn’t be seen as an ogre.
Not sure what I’m expecting from posting on here. Just really upset and shocked that it’s come to this. I’ve had really positive relationships with children and parents in previous classes I’ve taught, so I’m feeling a bit lost tbh.