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Why does everyone hate teachers?
Ten years ago, as a primary school teacher, I really enjoyed my job. I used to relish each new year and each new class I inherited. There would be the usual behaviour problems and the awkward parent you get with every class, but generallly I can honestly say I loved it. I always worked hard and made sure all my lessons were differentiated to suit the childen in my class, had all my lessons planned and prepared for. I used to be in school for 8.00 a.m., had a cup of tea at break, half an hour for my lunch where I could eat a meal, and have another cup of tea at afternoon break and leave by 5.00. At these times I would also be able to go to the toilet if I needed it. In the evenings, I would happliy mark my books for the next day and plan my lessons which would take a couple of hours each night.
Today, I find myself in school for 7.45 instead of 8.00. I don't have time to go to the toilet in the morning or have a break, I throw my dinner down me in 15 minutes whilst I am on the computer working at lunch, I never get a drink in the afternoon apart from the water on my desk.
I work solidly until 11.00 at night...
I never leave school before 5.30 p.m., I try and find some time and energy to look after my young family in the short time I have between 5.30 and 8.00 p.m. and then when they are settled in bed, I try to keep up with the enormous workload forced upon me to stay in my job, and work solidly until 11.00 at night. And that's not including the weekends where I can spend up to 3 hours a day on my schoolwork. All in all..I am working 60 hours a week - the same as doctors and it's still not enough!
I am faced with the threat of OFSTED at every corner and have the pressure on me that I must not be anything less than outstanding.
Parents have no idea of the pressure that teachers are under.
The government hate teachers because they don't like paying them, but the education system they have put in place, force teachers to follow a curriculum that doesn't work! They don't support experienced teachers, they just find a way to get rid of them and employ newly qualified ones cheaply.
Experienced teachers are simply not appreciated.
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However, I would just like to say that unfortunately, I am trapped in this nightmare of a job and would leave tomorrow if I could. This job is perfect for people who are young, driven by their career, haven't got young families or who are lucky to be able to afford to work part-time. If you are anyone like me, who is forced to work full time, a bit older in the tooth and has a young family....then it really is a living hell and getting worse and worse by the minute. Good old Michael Gove!! Lovely man!
Teachers, like anyone else in today's climate, should and do work extremely hard to keep their heads above water. But they deserve a life too and not the constant flow of criticism, bad press and pressure that comes their way. That was my whole point all along.
Thanks everyone, for the debate. Goodnight, goodbye and good luck.
"it really is very tedious!"
You're absolutely right, it really is tedious hearing teachers banging on all the time that they are either hard done to or not appreciated. You are appreciated - you get a salary each month don't you? Or are you do it as a charity free of charge?
Glad to hear that teachers have the same working conditions as most people in the private sector
I left my secondary school at 5pm( saved bus fare) and when I returned home, I rarely saw my mother till 7pm when she finally finished with out of school clubs and meetings. This was a regular occurence. Oh, and then we have the health complications of a bullying work atmosphere, when she was given the delinquent classes and have to put up with verbal and occasioanly physical abuse, offered no support from the school. Yes, I know not all schools are like this. But do not tell me my mother chose an easy career until you have worked in the same atmosphere she did.
I am not a regular. I just happen to be taken with this particular subject which is close to my heart. You should have your say like anyone else so don't be frightened to say what you think...that's what the site is about (as long as it's not too abusive or personal) and it's important for others to consider different views. As long as you can keep it in perspective and have something worthy to contribute, it can be quite an eye-opener and interesting to hear others' views even if you don't agree with them. Maybe try again in a differernt way.....? Don't give up!
Yes, I did read your post which has obviously since been removed for whatever reason. On the contrary, the word 'worry' doesn't come into it. I actually find it amusing and genuinely interesting to read some of the sensible or stupid things I find people say on this site. Also, I don't need to 'get a life'. My life is mostly good. I just enjoy a good debate. By the way....all the teachers I know are dedicated and work extremely hard but sometimes are bound by things out of their control @ 'Avin a Laugh' - let me know where you neighbour works I can't believe what you say!
I have complained to offsted, to the chair of governors and today to the social workers.
I came home from work today to a letter on my doormat, basically saying they wont be getting involved as it isn't a case of safeguarding etc.
I am aware you think i am exaggerating, but unfortunatly i am not and frankly i am angry so yes i will rant my frustrations because it seems the easy target are scapegoated and the real child abusers get away with the lot!
Do you really expect people to take you seriously with posts like that? By the way, it's 'you're' rather than 'your' in line 9.
Raising a child is a huge responsibility and should be taken very seriously. I'm sure that the teachers had some genuine reason for concern, and certainly they have erred on the side of caution.
Think of the criticism they would receive if they had failed to contact social services, possibly result in real neglect taking place and a young boy's life put in jeopardy. I'm not saying that this is the case with the son of the previous griper, but it seems to me that teachers decided to act for a reason, and they decided to act responsibly.
I have one of you 'experienced teachers' to thank for social services being on my case! and why? because i was late picking my son up ONCE!
so a bunch of 'experienced teachers' got together and came up with a cock and bull story, with a few extra lies in it and gave it straight to social services and now im being investigated for neglect!
I have done nothing but support my son, emotionally, financially, i've provided a loving home for him and because i am an easy target this is what you do.
no, dont bother going for the real bad parents who beat their kids, swear at them, call them names, just go for soft touches like myself and ruin my life because your too much of a bully to go for the real idiots knowing they will give back as good as they get!
i HATE teachers and find them to be disgusting, revolting bullies with nothing better to do but make victims lives hell because they have no backbone to face real child abusers!
Phil
Are things better nowadays? I suspect not, because human nature never changes and the school system is as rotten as it ever was. Not all teachers are bad, but the good ones move into the private education sector or get jobs away from the classroom.
I also noticed during my time at school those teachers that seem to have given up. Sad, pathetic, hopeless neurotic no-hopers. I feel no sympathy for them.