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Too much for a teacher? How can I cope?

Last post 07/02/12 at 19:17 by Torey, 25 replies
Post started by Latinosharkey on 02/02/12 at 14:19

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  • Latinosharkey avatar
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    Posted by: Latinosharkey 02/02/2012 at 14:19
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    Afternoon everybody. I am an a NQT and my duties consist of: Teaching a year 4 class of 32 Children (1 with behaviour problems) with no TA. I have been assigned to refurbish the school library. This includes: finding new carpets, painting walls, ordering new books, and not mention what else. Our head wants us to photocopy any work that links into app AFs/MAs and place them in a folder for each child. A Catholic Certificate in Education. I'm just asking peoples advice in coping with everything. How do people cope? Or is just me? Thank you
  • nonameneeded avatar
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    Posted by: nonameneeded 02/02/2012 at 14:39
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    That doesn't sound too bad to me, however I do realise that in practice it can be much worse than it is. Back in the good days, I had a class with 2 delayed children, 3 EAL pupils (on near fluent, one developing and one with no English). I addition to teaching I took 2 after school clubs per week, one lunchtime Enterprise club. I also coached an out-of-school club and facilitated other sports events when required. i studies an online TEFL course, studies Co-op learning (internally). I was on a curriculum panel, Eco committee, portfolio committee and for half the year I was doing a heck-of-a-lot of paper work for a child undergoing legal issues. It was tough, but I am a person that enjoys being busy. i loved getting results and seeing things develop. Perhaps you may need to look at your organisation and time spent at school. I done as little as possible at home (work-life balance) which meant that I was usually in school from 7:45am - 6:00pm. If you are frustrated due to the stress of this, why not call Teacher Support Line and just vent... it can help!
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    Posted by: chocolateworshipper 02/02/2012 at 14:40
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    I am really sorry to hear that things are feeling overwhelming for you. Just one really small suggestion - could you get some Year 6 helpers to help with some non-confidential admin stuff? Do you have school librarians who could help with the library at break times? If not - could you suggest it? I hope you get lots of helpful advice from others on the forum x
  • Torey avatar
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    Posted by: Torey 02/02/2012 at 16:36
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    I hope you are not actually painting the walls?? Are you getting your NQT and PPA time?
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    Posted by: langteacher 02/02/2012 at 17:53
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    walls?

    carpets?

    are you not employed to teach?

    what is going on here?
  • greta444 avatar
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    Posted by: greta444 02/02/2012 at 18:49
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    we paint our classrooms because nobody else will /nobody will pay for it to be done. Still, I know that a good job will be done. We also garden, build sheds, lay carpet, fix leaks, look after livestock, unblock toilets and move furniture.

    Sometimes we teach.
  • ITA76 avatar
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    Posted by: ITA76 02/02/2012 at 20:05
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    Sounds to me like you are being taken advantage of!
  • Compassman avatar
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    Posted by: Compassman 02/02/2012 at 20:50
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    greta444:

    we paint our classrooms because nobody else will /nobody will pay for it to be done. Still, I know that a good job will be done. We also garden, build sheds, lay carpet, fix leaks, look after livestock, unblock toilets and move furniture.

    Sometimes we teach.

    It's about time teachers stopped being taken advantage of like this.
  • dizzymai avatar
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    Posted by: dizzymai 02/02/2012 at 20:59
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    Hi Latino

     

    I was asked to oversee the library during my NQT year but I did have support from the acting Deputy at the time and she ensured I had extra time off to do these duties, on top of my NQT and PPA time. Getting Y6 helpers is a good idea. I also got the help of the local LIbrary Services who came in and helped me with getting rid of old books and colour banding new ones. A parent governor also came in and helped and a volunteer came weekly to keep shelves tidy. Our library is now much improved (we had a donation of a sofa and is overseen daily by some very diligent Y4 girls who keep the shelves tidied and the returned books box emptied.

    I would

    -ask for some extra time, it may just be one afternoon to look through catalogues or choose paint. Could you ask the caretaker to help?

    - contact your local library education service if nec.

    - get some librarian helpers on a regular basis- set up a library club?

    NO TA is common nowadays with the cuts and be thankful you only have 1 behaviour issue. Welcome to the world of teaching (where you feel overwhelmed a lot of the time). The NQt year is tough but you can do it!

     
  • Peter99 avatar
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    Posted by: Peter99 02/02/2012 at 21:42
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    Is it the role of an NQT to paint the school?  I despair.  I'm retired now but am still a Governor.  The painting and all aspects of fixtures and fittings are organised through a sub committee of the Governing Body.  We work on the old fashioned premise that teachers are there to teach.

    Furthermore, I despair when I read posts like number 2 on this thread.  What possible help can it be for the OP?  The nature of the job has changed out of all recognition and post 2 is at best irrelevant and at worst self indulgence of the highest order.  Imagine a zeppelin pilot offering advice to someone who flies an F15.

    The OP can console himself with the fact that this present generation of teachers is the best trained in history.  A difficult start will pass.

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