Existing teachers trying to put you off teaching

I'm afraid I have to add to what most people are saying here. At the end of a 30+ year career, I would say that the goalposts have moved so much and so often that this is nowhere near the job I came into and most days, I simply cannot wait to leave. I have strongly advised both my sons to avoid the job like the plague, but they didn't actually need telling, having lived with two teacher parents all their lives. I remain amazed that people do still want to enter the profession and am full of admiration for the young people who do, whilst at the same time fearing for their welfare. So much depends on the school you are working in, but even then, constant interference and the changes in society which affect children so dramatically make it an almost impossible job. Hats off to those who want to do it, but do take heed of what those who have already done it have to say. There isn't some secret society open only to current teachers that we want to keep quiet and restrict admission to. We do actually have some experience to draw on. But then, nobody can put an old head on young shoulders and most people only learn through experience.

Not sure why you're "amazed" that people want to enter the profession. You said it yourself - no-one can truly know what it's like until they try it. Personally, I'm starting a PGCE next year and whereas I am certainly daunted by how tough the job sounds going by this forum (though, incidentally, not the teachers I've spoken to in 'real life', who generally love their jobs), what absolutely terrifies me is being stuck in a job that I don't care about. I really, really care about my subject (English). I want young people to care about it as much as I do. I want a job that concerns what I am most passionate about in life (literature and stories). I can't think of anything more soul-destroying for me personally than being stuck in a job which pays well but is unrelated to the things in life that I love.

That said, I am not a calm person. I'm a worrier. I can deal with stress and pressure, but I sometimes irrationally let little things get to me. Teaching may well give me anxiety issues. It's a risk I'm going to have to take, because I know that potentially this is the perfect career for me. I guess this time next year I'll have found out whether it was, more or less.

I suspect teachers you speak to in real life don't want to kill that sense of enthusiasm they see in your eyes. On the internet, people can speak more freely, and I suspect, sometimes more honestly.

Of course there are great things about the job. I love (most of) the kids and my colleagues. I still enjoy being in the classroom, although whether I would still enjoy it if I didn't work in a very soft school I have doubts about. What I don't like is the way education is being played with by different flavours of government who spot a gimmick and are onto it like a cat on a mouse, merely to make it sound as if they are doing something to address the ills of society they have, to a great extent, caused. The ink is never dry on the latest craze before the next one comes along, and all thought up by ministers who have never been teachers or, it sometimes seems, even in a school. They also have the attention span of those dogs in Up when they see a squirrel.

I truly wish you well. I spent 8 years as a subject mentor for two universities and I have every sympathy with trainees. I know what it's like and I know equally that I am extremely disenchanted and that's one of the reasons why I stopped mentoring, because the ridiculous paperwork you have to do is unnecessarily burdensome and doesn't in any way make you a better teacher. I suspect many people's careers end in this spirit of gloom and that is our tragedy. I hope yours starts well and continues to keep you fulfilled.

I really, really care about my subject (English). I want young people to care about it as much as I do.

Well they won't. They'll care much more about TOWIE. You might as well get used to that now.

Sure, that's a fair point. Though also I would add that people who are happy and contented with what they do have no real need to seek out the support of forums such as this. Forums like this are a very useful way for people to seek help when they need it. Those who do not need help (because they are comfortable with what they do) do not generally go searching for it. Not to say that people who largely enjoy their jobs don't go to places like this - they may, after all, be here purely to help others who do have issues - but it's just another possible factor contributing to the trend.

Well they won't. They'll care much more about TOWIE. You might as well get used to that now.

Are most things said on here with regards to primary or secondary education?

Are most things said on here with regards to primary or secondary education?


Posted from TSR Mobile

Nobody is trying to put you off; they are being realistic.

Telling me I shouldn't do something IS trying to put me off. It would be different if they were just telling me all of the negative things they've experienced but still say if that's what I want to do then that's fine...

Coming from a family of teachers, whenever careers are discussed I'm always told "Don't you dare become a teacher!". In fairness they work incredibly hard, and their pay really doesn't reflect this. Yes, they may "only" work 5 days a week (for most state schools) but the weekends and evenings are consumed with planning, prep and marking. Even during the holidays they work, so this idea of a "6 week holiday" in the summer is a huge misnomer. It's a very stressful job, and I have huge admiration for good teachers. Unfortunately many people do not see it in this way, and I think that's a shame. If you have realistic expectations about Teaching, and you are motivated to do it then I wish you the best of luck.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Hi. Does anyone else feel discouraged from training to be a teacher because they know teachers who are actively trying to discourage them from training? I'm about to start a PGCE (early years) in September and I'm really looking forward to it. I've always wanted to be a teacher and work with young kids especially so for me this is my dream job.

However, I'm NOT stupid. I know it's going to be tough, but I'm starting to get annoyed at the number of teachers around me who are acting like it's the worst job in the world and that I'm crazy for wanting to do it. I guess what I'm trying to say is are they right? The thing is as well as this being what I want to do it's also really the only thing I can do. Since my degree I've flitted from one job to another and tried various things out to see if I liked them, but I didn't, and since working in a school I've realised that teaching is the job for me. My point is, should I just not listen to these people? I am starting to think that there is a sizeable proportion of teachers who do just moan about everything and are always so negative and don't realise how lucky they are. I mean, I'm from a deprived working class background and no one else in my family even did a-levels let alone went to university so to me this is a big thing. I think they also like being miserable too because they don't even do anything to try and make their situation any better, just moan about it! :/

Sorry for the long rant!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Tell me about it! My parents have no idea what teaching seems to really be like. I was telling them that I was worried about dealing with the stress of the job, then they were laughing saying things like "oh you will have no idea what stress is like as a teacher, try doing my job!" "you can't have stress with that many holidays" etc etc,

It really winds me up because I start arguing with them, saying I don't think they get paid enough for the hours they put in and my dad just starts laughing his head off. I really feel I'm not going to get any support from them during my PGCE seeing as they don't really seem to think teaching is a stressful job at all...

This is just my opinion coming from a college student,

Teachers have an option. They can either work very hard or not work very hard at all.
I've been to 4 different secondary schools and 1 college.
Some are very good schools, some are very bad.
My dad leaves the house at 6 and comes back for 8 nearly every day and I barely see him, and he is a manager for a business. If he had that job when I was a kid, when would I ever see him?
Teachers working school hours allows them to see their children.
In my opinion I believe teachers rarely plan as the powerpoints are used over and over again over the years and either the specification is copied or the internet is.
Teachers have a lot of time at school/college when they don't have lessons or when there is group work or there is a test, marking and planning can be done.

I could blag on and this doesn't make much sense as I'm frazzled by revision but I honestly don't think it's the worse job ever, I worked in a retail clothing/home shop and i would be a teacher over that any day, but obviously im too young.

This is just my opinion coming from a college student,

Teachers have an option. They can either work very hard or not work very hard at all.
I've been to 4 different secondary schools and 1 college.
Some are very good schools, some are very bad.
My dad leaves the house at 6 and comes back for 8 nearly every day and I barely see him, and he is a manager for a business. If he had that job when I was a kid, when would I ever see him?
Teachers working school hours allows them to see their children.
In my opinion I believe teachers rarely plan as the powerpoints are used over and over again over the years and either the specification is copied or the internet is.
Teachers have a lot of time at school/college when they don't have lessons or when there is group work or there is a test, marking and planning can be done.

I could blag on and this doesn't make much sense as I'm frazzled by revision but I honestly don't think it's the worse job ever, I worked in a retail clothing/home shop and i would be a teacher over that any day, but obviously im too young.

This is just my opinion coming from a college student,

Teachers have an option. They can either work very hard or not work very hard at all.
I've been to 4 different secondary schools and 1 college.
Some are very good schools, some are very bad.
My dad leaves the house at 6 and comes back for 8 nearly every day and I barely see him, and he is a manager for a business. If he had that job when I was a kid, when would I ever see him?
Teachers working school hours allows them to see their children.
In my opinion I believe teachers rarely plan as the powerpoints are used over and over again over the years and either the specification is copied or the internet is.
Teachers have a lot of time at school/college when they don't have lessons or when there is group work or there is a test, marking and planning can be done.

I could blag on and this doesn't make much sense as I'm frazzled by revision but I honestly don't think it's the worse job ever, I worked in a retail clothing/home shop and i would be a teacher over that any day, but obviously im too young.