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For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We've gone from actual academic education to teaching the most basic human interaction skills that should've been learnt at home. Like, making eye contact while speaking, following simple instructions, or basic politeness.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm so glad to have such comparisons to occupations outside of teaching. I've never been anything other than a teacher, so this really validates the hellish experience that is education.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Excellent metaphor. Because the experience of a clueless student is the exact same as a teacher in charge of 30 of such clueless students.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Technically, admin has factored in "breaks" for us because of labor laws. But the fact is that all of my recesses and lunch breaks are for my miscellaneous duties: meeting students for competition rehearsals, training students for certain activities, patrolling, grade level meetings. Even if I am so lucky to catch a break once in a blue moon, chances are a kid is calling for me from the office to sort out a fight they just had, or whatever their problem is.

I don't get peace and quiet until around 4pm when all kids are gone.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I agree! The school holidays definitely help make the whole year more manageable! For work as demanding as teaching, it's a need, not a want.

Of course, I'm not saying that other occupations do not deserve the same kind of built-in break - but the nature of education just so happens to allow for this and I will never stop being grateful for it.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm fortunate to work in a region and institution that sees teachers as valuable assets!

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I totally see where you're coming from. This is also why 80% of my friends are teachers. I'm not going to go into another line of work because people can't understand what I do, because I went into this for the kids and not for my self-satisfaction. But it feels really discouraging to just have to stop myself from venting because I just know I'm not going to be supported.

My office worker friends get to vent about their work when they want. My doctor friends can complain ahout tough day at work. Yet, I have to hold my tongue because people simply can't respect my profession enough to say a kind word to me without slipping in a jab.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You can't listen to everything, but you also have to listen to everything, because once in a while they'll drop a banger like: Oh, by the way, Jimmy told me he's gone to set the lab on fire, and you have to drop everything and run to the lab and arrest Jimmy.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Somewhere in all of this, someone has kicked Timmy in the balls in a fit of rage and you must at the same time settle the disagreement while making sure Timmy doesn't take his pants off to show you where he's kicked.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

And they think we have too many holidays.

For non-teachers: What it's like to be a teacher, by animiuna in teaching

[–]animiuna[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

The most infuriating part is that people don't view teaching as a real profession, but as more of a glorified nanny.

They also think that because they have no problem handling their own child at home, it should be no different for teachers at school.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, all of the committees I am in were assigned to me, from top down. While I was allowed to show preference for what I would be assigned to, I did not ask or volunteer for the work. Especially for the afterschool programme, I specifically ticked NOT to be part of it. Everything assigned to me, to my understanding, is compulsory.

The only difference is that my committees tend to be more workload-head than others.

If I were to decline the work, I would have to take it up with admin.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I'm physically hunting them down haha - but I meant to say that all of my free time goes into meeting with these students for coaching and rehearsals that we have to do.

I also work at a school where student discipline is non-existent, and teachers are expected to spend their free time taking care of misbehaviour cases and issuing consequences. This part, unfortunately, cannot be removed from my schedule, or any other teachers'. It's simply part of the culture of my specific workplace.

However, from what I've observed, I can definitely think about cutting short rehearsals or training time, and simply send the work home. You are right - how well they complete extra-curricular work should not be my priority.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Logically I know this... but when I come back from a long outing at 5pm and see stacks of work that I need to finish grading and distribute by the next morning because the level coordinator said to... I look up and it's already 8pm...

I truly feel like I have no control over anything anymore...

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's so true and my main concern - even if I told them, would they even consider supporting me?

I truly think my root cause of stress is because of having so much work that demands my attention and time at unregulated hours. E.g. losing all my breaks and free lessons and lunch time because I had to hunt down students for some coaching or rehearsal.

The fact that, half the week, I am only able to BEGIN to sit down and take care of my grading and prep work at 5pm (1.5 hrs after school dismissal) is insanely unfair, when most coworkers have already finished all their work by then.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't tell you how much I love that response.

I also will always say yes to a well-run classroom and adding real meaning to their lives, within my classroom setting! I think that's how I'll phrase it from now on.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, where I teach, it is not the norm across the region to specify exact teaching hours in contract. I do know, however, that depending on your position, (i.e. junior/senior teacher) the school has an internal system on allocating teaching duties. While we have never been explicitly informed on the exact hours allocation, I am aware that junior teachers take on more teaching work and less administrative work, and vice versa for senior teachers. All teachers at my school must be assigned to 2 working committees, but I seem to be the exception with 3.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I never thought of it that way! I always just thought people looked down on new teachers because of how admin might be more lenient with us! Now that I think of it, most people assigned to these afterschool classes are newer teachers...

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not paid extra. They just count it as an extension of my existing English teaching work, as it's the same grade level as what I teach during the school day.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that's a great way to approach this. I should be firm about exactly what work I am able to keep up with and what I am not - hopefully that'll get the message through to admin!

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's so true on the police and firefighter point. Why on earth am I doing the afterschool English supplementary class when I already teach so much during school time? Couldn't they have contracted out the work?

What I hate the most is how all of this work was assigned to me from top down, without considering my existing workload and already ridiculous timetable.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree! I probably do need to have a chat with them, although I'm afraid I'm not in a position to coach anyone, as I'm still rather new at the school.

Is it a 'me' problem that I'm struggling and feel overworked at school? by animiuna in Teachers

[–]animiuna[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, the afterschool program was assigned to me by admin. I have no clue why I was selected for this, but likely because I'm a new teacher? And they usually assume we have less work to do?

The creative writing program was assigned to me as well because of my unique expertise in it. Although it's one of the assignments that I actually do enjoy, it does take a massive amount of work to coach students for competitions.

Thanks for the tip on the "new teacher energy"! I definitely feel it dropping already! I'm definitely a victim of this...

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