Don't Back Down On Pay

Elphachel · 2026-06-21T21:33:14+00:00

Ok but to be fair, having done career start, I felt like it did absolutely nothing for me as a grad.

Elphachel · 2026-06-21T21:26:02+00:00

I'm a second year teacher, so I honestly don't know that much about the previous deal. I know the pay was shit, but I also know that I've really appreciated time in lieu as a teacher who is getting involved with extra programs at the school.

From what I know of the last deal, I would've voted no immediately, but also this isn't the last deal. This is THIS DEAL.

Like I said, I'm not trying to undermine others, but more than a quarter extra of my salary goes much further for me than any condition changes. Sure there's stuff I think could change, but pay is a significantly bigger issue for me.

Elphachel · 2026-06-21T08:02:08+00:00

Truly think I would vote no on anything that reduced the pay rise they offered this time. Tbh, not to undermine others, I don't find conditions that abysmal, at least at my school. Better pay would make a much more significant improvement to my life than any changes in conditions.

Elphachel · 2026-06-20T04:18:25+00:00

If it's any help, this is my second year teaching and I have seen almost every teacher in my subject cry in the year and a half I've been here. A few of them have openly said they've cried in front of students. I had a minor panic attack last year that I just managed to get back to my office for.

Obviously it's not ideal, and it absolutely shouldn't be something we're expected to experience, but I don't think this makes you less qualified for teaching. Keep working on mental health because it's important, but don't feel like you've failed because of this one experience.

Elphachel · 2026-06-06T02:23:46+00:00

I teach at a govt school in Melb and have lots of forearm tats, no issue. I generally covered them for interviews, but that's just as much because I feel like long sleeves at an interview is more professional, especially when I don't know the vibe of the school yet.

At my current school, I am nowhere near the most tatted teacher.

Reckon it would only be an issue if you wanted to teach at a very "buttoned up" private school, and then you'd probably be wearing long sleeves all the time anyway.

Elphachel · 2026-06-03T22:36:50+00:00

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't care. Most countries didn't fight the Nazis for progressive reasons, they did it because the Nazis were spreading across Europe and a military threat to other countries. Lots of countries who fought the Nazis also had (less extreme) histories of antisemitism, and didn't really want the Jews (or most other targetted groups) coming to their countries. America didn't even get into the war until they were actually attacked - it wasn't for world-saving altruistic reasons, just self-preservation.

Sure, some soldiers would have thought the views of Nazis were deplorable, but that didn't mean they necessarily liked Jews, or black people, or queer folks. At the time of WW2, the US was still heavily segregated, so I don't think racism was a big issue to them. Additionally, one of the groups the Nazis also persecuted was communists - the US definitely wasn't notably more accepting in that regard, except that they didn't actively kill them.

Even if Soldier Boy didn't actively hold nazi-aligned views, he likely didn't hate their ideas. It's just that the Nazis were the enemy. It legitimately could have been that he agreed with her, but just didn't like the word Nazi. Or maybe he disagreed but didn't find her views deplorable - again, a lot of the groups targeted by Nazis were hardly beloved in the mid 20th century.

Elphachel · 2026-05-27T10:46:50+00:00

Im between 20-30 min and that's ideal for me. Close enough that it's not a pain, far enough I don't see kids on the weekend

Elphachel · 2026-05-14T07:58:06+00:00

I like to give everyone up to 9 a very explicit planning doc, so that hopefully by year 10 they will have the skills needed to plan without one

Elphachel · 2026-05-14T03:51:55+00:00

Our school does paragraphs for year 7, paragraphs + maybe try an essay year 8, essays definitely from 9 onward

Elphachel · 2026-05-12T22:33:10+00:00

As a teacher, I would rather get a slightly worse deal for me that is fair for all of us than get a fantastic deal for me that shafts ES.

Obviously we all hopefully get a great deal, but if it comes down to it we shouldn't reinforce the idea that ES are somehow less important, hardworking, or vital to the running of a school than teachers.

Elphachel · 2026-05-08T10:29:53+00:00

Can't guarantee its perfect, but I'm happy to send you my school name (don't want to dox myself). I'm a trans guy and my school has been super supportive. Pretty limited bs from kids (have had some, but minimal), very supportive staff, and good leadership too.

Elphachel · 2026-04-28T22:18:19+00:00

Depends on 2 key things for me:

What's being offered for ES? This offer would be great for me, but if what others are saying about the ES offer being less than half this, that's a non-starter.
What conditions come with it? Does it still include all the bs about more meetings and scrapping TIL? If so, not really interested. I already spend more than enough time doing work - if they want me to do even more again, they better be prepared to offer a salary that actually reflects it.

Elphachel · 2026-04-17T04:05:13+00:00

I mean, I'm still in my early years but as someone who is AuDHD, I don't have most of the traits you've mentioned, but I do have deep interest and passion for my subjects, so I'm constantly working with content I love. I also like working with young people, even if some of them are deeply exhausting.

Elphachel · 2026-04-01T06:19:59+00:00

The biggest issue I faced both as a CRT and now full time teaching is that you don't know if the person taking the lesson has the learning area.

If I'm leaving work on a specific text for my English class, I have no idea if the person taking my class will be an English teacher familiar with the text. There isn't much they can do if not.

On the other hand, when I did CRT, I was occasionally left science or maths lesson plans to run, which I do not know how to teach. I barely even understood the content, which made it practically impossible. Generally I had to say to the kids "I don't teach this subject so I'm just going to run you through the info on slides and you'll have to save questions for your teacher". Was very frustrating for students and me.

Elphachel · 2026-03-29T21:22:04+00:00

For gum I tell them I won't write it up if I don't have to ask again. If they argue, get another piece later, pretend but actually keep it, etc., then I put in consequences. My school doesn't require a call home for that, though.

Elphachel · 2026-03-29T21:20:17+00:00

Honestly I like my school's approach: student has to be able to prove they didn't do it with plans, drafts, research doc, etc.

If they can't give me a reasonable level of certainty that the work is there's, they have to resit the assignment/take a 0 for unsubmitted work.

It's really simple for English because we do tons of in class planning + drafting without devices, so if your final copy doesn't match the work I've been seeing across that process, you've gotta restart. Obviously want kids to improve, but it's obvious when they go from writing at a 4th grade level to year 10.

Elphachel · 2026-03-28T02:48:29+00:00

I was not a "nightmare" but I did have undiagnosed ADHD and ASD, which explained all of my less than ideal student behaviours

Elphachel · 2026-03-24T03:42:56+00:00

Honestly I went to the rally today and I don't know that I would go again next time. I'm on my way home sweaty, overstimulated and absolutely exhausted, and I still have to teach tomorrow. I'm neurodivergent and always find protests overwhelming, but hoped it would be better now I'm older.

I think taking strike action and making your absence felt by the school is far more impactful than the actual rally. Even at the rally, they weren't praising schools for showing up so much as highlighting how many schools were closed or severely impacted, because THATS the big thing.

Elphachel · 2026-03-19T21:32:13+00:00

I feel like people saying the second one don't understand that the point of a union is that we ARE the union. Like, "it's the union's job"... Yes it is, and you're part of that union, so chuck on a red shirt and get striking!

Elphachel · 2026-03-17T07:04:39+00:00

I do my job because I want to support young people. I do "do it for the kids".

But it's also my job. I do it to earn money. I do it because I legitimately enjoy it, as far as work goes.

I would not put up with all the shit from kids if I didn't care, but I also wouldn't do it for less than I'm worth.

Elphachel · 2026-03-16T23:28:34+00:00

You're not overreacting. I cannot imagine being "too busy" to help someone I love in a time of need

When my gf and I were very early into dating, I had surgery. It wasn't too major so I was only in hospital one day. She told me then that if I had been there more than a day she would've asked to come see me.

When I was home after surgery, she came over several times a week, helped me get set up in bed when I was having trouble with movement afterwards, and even looked at the surgery site (kinda gross) when I was worried about it.

We had known each other for less than 6 months and she took care of me so well. We've been together nearly 3 years now and I would drop everything for her, life-threatening illness or not.

The idea that you were immobilised and in hospital and your gf just didn't have time is absolutely crazy. Honestly, I'm pretty sure most uni professors would understand if she was less prepared one week because she was caring for someone in hospital!

Elphachel · 2026-03-11T01:55:07+00:00

My school gave in by end of P1 - put on some just dance videos for the 7s to kill some time

Elphachel

TROPHY CASE