Categories: uncategorized
Date: 22 June 2004 23:47:21
Lots of people are coming to my wiblog at the moment having searched for things like 'mad to be a teacher' or 'must be mad to teach' etc. I thought I could come up with some thoughts that might help them.
Indeed overall you have to be mad - completely insane - to be a teacher in todays world.
I have worked in a school where, when I left at the end of the day without having been called a variety of names, or not burst into tears at some stage - usually when I reached my friends house - it was a very good day indeed. Yes, mad to be a teacher. The staff were brilliant and friendships were extremely strong amongst the staff - we needed each other. Some people can do it, I did it for 4 years and never want to again.
I have worked in a school where you get a real variety of students. Top sets where the novelty of being able to talk to them without having a major incident took about a month to wear off (poor things). There were also the ones that would challenge your every move. Staff were quite fun while I was there, but no lasting friendships.
Of course there is always the school where pupils are generally fine, classes, not bad on the whole (apart from a rare class) and the pressure from the management is much stronger in terms of setting homework and marking to strict guidelines. The staff are varied, some OK and putting up with my house moving dramas on a daily basis, but none I would call my friends - but then, perhaps I don't need such support.
Mad to teach? Certainly, ultimately very few people love their job. At times I don't like my job, at times it's ok and there are times that I really have some fun.
PS Still no moving date - Friday is looking rather unlikely!!