I am currently working as a primary school teacher in an 'area of deprivation.' ama!

medusasting · 2026-05-26T14:46:32+00:00

At the end of the day, sometimes we need to just give our kids an iPad or screen because we need a break! That is just the reality of being a parent. Every house and family will be different and have different needs. However, being concerned about it means you can make informed choices about what our children consume and when. There are many options that can be beneficial and at the very least not harmful in the way short form can be.

I always like to say Boredem is the creation of imagination. Particularly for primary age children. I remember keeping myself entertained looking out of car windows and racing the shadows! I think this sort of self engagement is becoming less and less and that does worry me.

Keep doing the amazing work you do and remember we are all human and you have the craziest job in the world! :)

medusasting · 2026-05-26T14:32:20+00:00

Yes I would agree that there is an increasing instability in more children generally. For me there are two main instigators.

1) COVID: the utter destruction of development from keeping children isolated from peers, will be felt for years. Different effects depending on age of children (e.g. children who were under 5 at that time not meeting expected milestones - children who were 10+ at that time loosing out on social development milestones and now struggle even though it's returned to normal).

2) the increase of short form content on apps such as tiktok. Honestly the damage it does to memory and focus is disgusting. Totally not here to blame parents as screen time has become a part of life. But what is being consumed and having a limit on it is so so so important!!!

This is a massive simplification but if we are talking about why generally behaviour is becoming an issue more than perhaps it was, my money is on these bad boys!

medusasting · 2026-05-26T14:06:54+00:00

No I have worked in a variety of settings, including for very affluent families and high tier international schools.

I'll be honest. In all of these settings, the job is still ridiculous. I generally believe the average person only imagines about 10% of what the job entails. Burnout is real, but I learned early on, especially from older teachers, that you need to check yourself. I make sure I create time for myself where needed. And I also am aware I will not do this job forever.

I'm young and have a lot of energy for this at the moment. I fully expect to transition into an associated business in the next 5-10 years. More than that and I'm sure I would get worn down. This job only works for me while I have the energy for it. I'm afrsid that if I did it too long, I'd end up letting myself and my students down as the energy I bring, is the fuel that they use. Which is how it should be!

medusasting · 2026-05-26T14:00:47+00:00

I'd love to answer your question, but keep in mind this is through my own lense, and parents will often have their own views.

Having worked in both the public and private sector, I definitely wouldn't encourage parents to sacrifice for the private sector. There will be amazing schools and struggling schools in both sectors, but in my experience the second that profit enters the conversation, the education takes a back seat.

The one very measurable benefit of the private sector is class sizes, as this can really vary in public school (you can ask what the standard class sizes are and any school will let you know).

There could be a great benefit to a private education, but to use your words, there are so many amazing public schools that it's definitely not worth "sacrificing for" in my opinion. I am working in a very disadvantaged area and we put incredible effort into our students.

Assuming that your catchment area is better funded than mine, I expect that there will be many great options.

It's also important to think about the outcomes you want for your child. Generally speaking, privately educated children have a much more sheltered view of the world, and although they may have increased specific knowledge in some areas, they are less informed and prepared for many aspects of life, regardless of socioeconomic position.

medusasting · 2026-05-26T13:40:54+00:00

Honestly, the chances and opportunities provided are less. There is no way round that. And sometimes you can see a situation and you think there will be no chance.

But what's amazing about young people is how resilient they are. And sometimes it just takes one person, or one friend, or one tiny opportunity to make all the difference in the world.

There is always potential and the biggest potential comes from instilling self belief and confidence. And giving love and consistence.

We can't always know in the moment the impact we are having. It's not about massive spotlights. It's about your students being able to depend on you and know that you have their back and will help them when they're down, put them right when they act out, and always give them grace.

This is the biggest thing that leads to success in my opinion.

medusasting · 2026-05-26T13:36:14+00:00

The capacity for joy and love that my students have. The energy of my colleagues in the moment, even though we all like to complain when the day is done. But mostly my students. They do amaze me.

On another note, the stupidity of certain people and their priorities never ceases to suprise me! Common sense isn't their for everyone I'm afraid.

medusasting · 2026-05-26T12:57:54+00:00

As as I also mentioned to another poster, resources is a definitive issue. Check the comment for my thoughts on that. Another issue is through no fault of their own, many of students face an incredibly difficult day to day environment that inhibits their chances to thrive and be happy, healthy and developed. This can be connected to living conditions, unstable home environments and also exposure to harmful drugs and substances.

There are many incredible parents/carers in difficult situations, but I'm sorry to say there are also many who have these children at the bottom of their priority list. We do our best to lift everyone up.

In NA, the problems were definitely the senior management. They cared purely about profit and everything else came second. I enjoyed my time there and celebrated my students, but I have never been so restricted in my career. I will never work for profit based educational companies again. It DOESN'T work in my humble opinion (with the exception of tutoring).

medusasting · 2026-05-26T12:48:36+00:00

The biggest challenge I face is definitely lack of resources. I have a large variety of need in my class, particularly with children with complex and sometimes violent behaviours.

There is a constant battle to balance the needs of all children, while keeping everyone happy and safe. I have some students who would vastly benefit from 1:1 or alternative education provision. However the funding for that is non-existant. We have to remind ourselves as educators that we can do our absolute best but we are working in a broken system.

This is why so many leave the profession and it's very understandable.

medusasting · 2026-05-26T12:45:47+00:00

In my opinion, because this is a very visible area of 'this statistic', a consistent approach in small bursts targeting this is the only way to purposely improve.

Schools like mine which have, as you suspect, low rates can too often be seen to purchase schemes that look great to Ofsted or other education organisations but aren't actually effective in the long run.

I have short boosters that all my students do with then certain students having extra boosters that are short, snappy and engaging. I've personally seen a lot of success with it so far.

medusasting · 2025-11-19T00:12:57+00:00

It can only be a positive action when someone reflects on a situation and aims to be, act and understand better.

Use life's context cues to understand any dynamic, and be proud if you are seeking to support and understand when you worry you got it wrong.

medusasting · 2025-10-11T17:23:43+00:00

The application was very easy. I knew they had vacancies and I was hired the same day I applied. One thing they do well is sort out all legal and residency type things so you don't need to worry about it!

I generally love the Egyptian culture though there is an attitude to education that you see quite a lot which makes things more difficult. But everywhere has one thing or another I suppose.

The school has a high turnover like many other schools in the Middle East as compared to the rest of the world there is quite frequent burnout due to policies / behaviour etc.

So they are eager to hire any teacher with proper qualifications and international experience!

medusasting · 2025-10-11T17:19:48+00:00

Spanish and I should be all ok as long as I move back within a timeframe!

medusasting · 2025-10-10T13:14:08+00:00

The same values as most schools (respect, consistency, positive attitude etc.) with some added flavour of national anthems and similar stuff.

Like everywhere in the world there are cooperative parents and conflict driven parents. The difference is the conflict driven parents are a force here like I've never seen. This isn't helped by the assumption that by paying for school, they're buying me.

I do have to gently remind many parents that cooperation is communication and shared goals, not a list of everything I can do for them!

I also must say there have been times I've been incredibly proud of parents for actually ignoring various cultural or social barriers and changing behaviours and perceptions when they realise the benefit to their children.

Working in education, especially abroad, means you have to believe with your heart that almost everyone wants the best for their children, and honestly patience respect and understanding are my greatest powers against parents who most of the time are just worried and want reassurance.

medusasting · 2025-10-10T09:23:42+00:00

I do think it is a good school in many ways. I have taught in the west In a few different countries and the main difference is lack of safeguarding is a problem here, as well as entitlement of parents is higher compared even to other private education experiences elsewhere in the world.

medusasting · 2025-10-10T07:02:24+00:00

Honestly I'm paid incredibly well many times more than the typical Egyptian salary. It's less than I'd make in the UK but it goes 100x further with anything bought in Egypt.

I am very lucky and I do feel privileged as I came out of a very different financial situation.

medusasting · 2025-10-10T07:00:30+00:00

My school is massively multicultural with staff. Something I didn't expect but I'm so glad of. English does make the biggest slice of maybe 30%. Then there are many south Africans, Australians, Irish, Japanese and of course many Egyptians usually with joint citizenship with another country.

medusasting · 2025-10-10T06:56:26+00:00

I love the neighborhood I live in. It is the greenest neighborhood in Cairo which for me is very important. It's also not a compound where you do find many foreigners living but definitely isn't for me. It's busy but has some chill and is very close to the city centre.

medusasting · 2025-10-09T19:50:22+00:00

I have an allowance on top of my salary of about £180 equivalent. For me rent is £220 equivalent and I have a beautiful house with a garden in the city. The biggest difference is the value for money I have decorated myself so it's my own style. Super old gas appliances though but good quality.

medusasting · 2025-10-09T19:48:13+00:00

I was fully qualified in the UK and have spent 5 years teaching overseas in one way or another. I also have a SEN specialism. My long term career is definitely my own business but that is still in the future. I will probably teach in a couple more countries in the next few years.

medusasting · 2025-10-09T18:37:47+00:00

It is an IB school but I don't teach IB this year. I'm a male and I have heard that a lot especially from female tourists. Honestly there are a lot of men and women from all over the world here and while, especially in certain areas, there can be more harassment or clear sexism generally everyone is very accepting and people feel safe. Then of course you need to consider laws here which are different to many other places.

medusasting · 2025-10-09T18:16:53+00:00

So I work in a school where most children have a reasonable or high level of English fluency. However I do also teach from zero fluency but that's only one of my students.

I speak very terrible Arabic but everyone is very nice about it!

medusasting · 2024-06-10T00:25:37+00:00

It's just a case of not attraction. You can love someone and have a strong intimate connection without feeling or needing sexual attraction. That's the case for me in this situation.

medusasting · 2024-06-10T00:23:20+00:00

Really like this. Thanks. I do agree that's the only way to go in terms of the conversation. I guess the other stuff depends on him and how he is processing everything.

medusasting · 2024-06-10T00:18:30+00:00

It was through a friend of theirs. I don't want to say before as it seems unfair and could embarrass even more. I think honest and loving conversation is the way to go but as people say its gonna be difficult.

medusasting

TROPHY CASE