Teaching - the good, the bad and the ugly

[micegg]

I know there are quite a few teachers out there on MN - would any of you share your view of teaching with me. I am thinking of training to be a teacher in the future. What do you like the least/the most? What age group do you teach and why? What are you normal hours when you include class prep and does this depend on the age group you teach? Are you required to work during school holidays? How do you fit your own child care needs in? Private or state? Did any of you train later in life and if so which training option did you go for and what was it like?

I think thats enough questions for now

Many thanks

I have been teaching for seven year. A lot of the time it was great and I really enjoyed it, although it can be a challenge. But now I have a child of my own and I have quit teaching - I just figured I would rather be skint and at home with my son than be getting sworn at by other people's kids.

When I was teaching part time in a Primary school I was at work by 7.45am and used to leave at about 5.45pm on 2 days a week, and 7.45am to 6.45pm 1 day a week. I then used to work at least 3 nights a week for a couple of hours each time, and at least 4 hours at the weekend.

Yes, I used to work in the holidays as well, a few days in school to clear up at the end of term or prepare for the new term.

I think that if you work in Foundation or KS1, you spend more time on preparation than on marking, but if you work in KS2, more time is spent on marking than preparation.

I trained at 28. I did the 2 year B-Ed course. Found it ok, but really only found the school based part interesting. If I trained again, I would look into the course where you train in school (not sure what it's called, sorry!)

DD was at a childminder 2 days a week and with my MIL on the other day. I also had to pay the childminder during the holiday when I wasn't working.

i have taught on and off since my daughter was born three years ago - i went back in June last year f/t and to a promoted post (in a secondary school) I love the job but am constantly exhausted and pretty grumpy most of the time. I try to work early in the mornings so that i can leave by 4ish. I do miss my daughter and am currently trying to negotiate going 4 days to ease this.
Teaching is a rewarding job but totally all encompassing - i find it very hard ot switch off and that drives me mad! might just be me!

I love my job mostly. I teach in a very good but demanding secondary school. I work long hours in the term - up before 6am, in bed 11ish but I recharge in the holidays.

The first two yrs are the hardest, as you have to put in the hours for the prep, but then can ease back although the marking always looms large. If going for secondary you have to love and really know your subject; teenagers are merciless to those who don't. You'll need good childcare or an accommodating hb who can look after the children the evenings you have a meeting (normally once a week) or a parents eve. It can make a big difference depending on what subject you teach as to your marking and prep load. DH does virtually none whilst I have too much but am taking the ostrich approach at the minute as I work best with a deadline looming!

With my teacher training hat on, the best advice I can give you is to get into schools for a few weeks of observation and get stuck in as much as they'll allow.

Are you doing a degree at the moment?

Agree with Heated. The first couple of years are make or break, and I've seen NQTs go under with the demands of the workload. But it gets easier, or rather, you get used to finding shortcuts and not reinventing the wheel all the time. It's hard work, you're on your feet all day, constantly making decisions, managing large numbers of young people, finding new ways to be challenging and inspiring. Think, performing a play, but one with no script and it lasts 6 hours a day! With various comic characters thrown in!! (I have a few in Year 9!!) But in terms of stimulation and feeling you're doing a job that means something, I dont think it gets much better.

I love my job and if I had my time again I would not change it but I am not sure my family would agree.

I had a conversation with a colleague the other day who was very upset that she could not go and see her son play in a rugby match because of her workload. She is a head of department and very much feels that her children have had to be sacrificed some what for the sake of other chidren. They are all grown up now but none of them met their gcse targets as she just could not give them the time. We work in a very tough school and she works from 8 in the morning until 10 at night 5 days a week with a half hour break and then all day Sunday.

I work on a normal day from half six until about half seven in school. When I am well enough I will then do a few hours in the evening and sunday afternoons to early evening. That again though is in a middle management role.

But as I said I love my job, but I do sometimes feel as if I am wishing my life away as I am forever clinging on for the next holiday as I am constantly very very tired. I have worked in lesds challenging schools and have not found it as exhausting.

You need to be very realistic about what kind of behaviour you can tolerate. I very much teach at the rough end and tbh I only have a few years left before burn out at the tender age of 33. I am looking to move to a less challenging option soon.

Doesnt sound good to me. I may look at a classroom assistant role instead. I already have a degree and several years working in a science environment. Thanks to all.

I know you've had some replies, but you sound in a similar situation to me. I was a postdoctoral researcher before I became a secondary school science teacher (4 years ago now).

It certainly is a tougher job than I imagined. I work part-time now. I did go back full time, but found that it was too much like a treadmill and I was having to sacrifice too much time with my little girl.

I work 45 min drive away from school, so drop dd off at 7.15, get to school for 8.15ish, sort out photocopying etc, then teach lessons and rush home at 3.30 to pick up dd. She has dinner at 5, goes to bed at 7, I usually work 2-3 hours in the evenings, then bed. I also do a few hours at the weekend. I don't work on the days I am off.

It's tough, but can be rewarding and good fun. There is always the down side of the 'challenging' pupils (I'm being polite), but there's a downside of every job.

I love it mostly, but don't think the long holidays and 'early' finishes mean it is an easy option. But....those days when someone suddenly understands something/thanks you for helping them get good grades etc. They're worth it.