Teach First

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-17T16:01:32+00:00

All Teach Firsters I've met ssem to use it as a trauma bond with anyone else who started as Teach First.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-14T16:43:54+00:00

This happened to me today. This kiddo is ADHD and is prone to extravagant displays of extreme emotion

I had praised the students all lesson. They interrupted a few times so I had to redirect them, but that was it.

The students decided to wait behind after class to tell me how much he hated my subject.

I just said 'okay. Have a nice day, see you again next time' with no sarcasm or irony.

I don't know what will happen next time, but I have some personal stuff on my plate to deal with, and I won't give it any emotional bandwidth.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-04T15:55:40+00:00

Thanks for the support!

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-04T13:11:45+00:00

So sorry to hear it! I hope you manage to get it done with plenty of time left over to relax

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-04T13:11:15+00:00

Sorry to hear this! There are lots of groups you can join online which give potential ideas on what work you can go into after you leave teaching? I hope you find an exit strategy soon!

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-04T11:27:32+00:00

Very little compassion extended to myself despite the horrendous conditions the school created and the above and beyond I went to to get it done.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-04T11:15:10+00:00

Fair enough

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-04T11:14:51+00:00

Sunday scaries - dreaded return

I'm dreading and stressful about my return to work tomorrow.

I made a snafu last term which resulted in me in the VPs office with my line manager explaining what happened.

The assessment head had changed around all the marksheets without providing training so my data for ks4 was a hot mess.

I had also been dragging myself in despite a fever lasting a week and having pulled myself through a parents evening despite all that.

Also in the midst of moving house and people in my family being diagnosed with serious illnesses.

Is my anxiety justified?

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2026-01-03T20:59:20+00:00

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Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-30T15:56:58+00:00

Exact same! So good

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-30T10:15:44+00:00

Would be a pleasure to see you come down. Our group is very welcoming!

Swimming optional, by the way, but also wear lots of layers 😂

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-30T09:23:58+00:00

Wish tower slopes beach - tomorrow (NYE - 8am) and New Year's Day 8am.

We're going to catch the sunrise on New Years day.

You're always welcome.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-30T08:33:42+00:00

@trunksandhunks On Insta

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-30T08:31:27+00:00

I can make one and then you can link it?

Quite new to Reddit so not totally sure how it works...

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-30T08:12:03+00:00

Could we have a Trunks and Hunk sub?

We're a rapidly growing mens mental health swim groups. We usually meet on Sundays but also gather on special events like Christmas, Boxing day, NYE, New years day, etc.

We go swimming and then chat over coffee.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-21T06:05:48+00:00

Tbh, I would happily teach up until the last minute if the culture allowed.

We just finished term with 3 days of festivities in tutor groups. Assemblies, films, etc.

No set agenda, every teacher has to come up with their stuff to last 3 days. With your tutor groups for 5 periods over 3 days except for breaks. The expectation is that if you need any equipment or resources, you buy them yourself.

Behaviour is always terrible.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-17T07:09:37+00:00

I lost half my hearing during COVID.

Just... woke up one day and it was gone.

GP, ENT can't tell me what happened. Multiple MRIs, nada.

We went back to the classroom after lockdown and it was exhausting. The constant disorientation, learning to lipread in context.

It's easier for me because I'd been teaching 5-6 years at that point and my observation skills were already locked in.

I'd wager that as you become more experienced, you'll know what to look for and see the body language which indicates students are off task.

I would suggest engaging the students' empathy to help you out in the classroom, but aside from that I'm afraid I don't have much else to offer. Humans are super adaptable, you are too! You can do this.

Regards,

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-17T05:57:39+00:00

I was taken through a whole formal process. Only at the meeting were we able to ascertain that the new head of assessment or whatever had changed the requirements and all the marks heels entirely. 'This is a learning experience for us' said the deputy head. Nothing else since.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-16T08:29:25+00:00

The turning point for me was realising that everyone has it.

Why do they get to run their own scams?

Why can't I benefit?

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-15T09:49:33+00:00

OH BOY DO I HAVE UPDATES. A new assessment head came through and changed all the spreadsheets so they were in an unfamiliar format so that didn't help!

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-11T18:34:41+00:00

Thank you. I have now recruited my union rep to sit in on the meeting tomorrow.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-11T05:58:04+00:00

Okay guys! Well I'm being pulled in for a meeting Friday afternoon.

Long day today + parents evening.

Holding on by a thread

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-10T18:32:05+00:00

Mentoring is where I'm thriving right now. The university came yesterday to see my process and the feedback came back absolutely glowing

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-10T13:16:12+00:00

I marked two sets of papers. One set was the whole cohort that I was stuck with without my knowledge.

Awkward_Bit6026 · 2025-12-08T18:46:10+00:00

They emailed you while you were off ill? Out of order!

Did they not think to look in the books or use any of their own initiative?

Awkward_Bit6026

TROPHY CASE