how about just telling those people who want to load you with additional work you can plainly do without to 'do one'?
'i'm sorry, but i find my existing workload is putting me under a great deal of stress already - this might just be the straw that breaks me' said with a hunted look in your eye. see where they go with that. if you're not playing their game, play your own.
how about just telling those people who want to load you with additional work you can plainly do without to ‘do one’?
That. If you're not good/clever/strong enough to "manage" your current workload then why would anyone else want to employ you?
harsh scotroutes, maybe the fact that these people are policy maker extraordinaire and like to make work is something to do with it. All that gets quoted is "its your job" which you cannot argue with on a day to day. The job is growing in complexity each year, last years appraisal doc was 1 side of A4 - this years is 9!
People making docs and policy to look good without any joined up thought as to how it will be implemented - everything is looked at individually not holistically. If i cannot see a direct correlation to what i am doing and it ehlping a kid in front of me - frankly what si the point. I have to produce report to quote "justify my TLR" - wtaf!!
I feel your pain OP.
I quit teaching last year due to the things you have mentioned. Massive amounts of data related paperwork, marking etc.
I did some supply teaching, but it was far from consistent work and going from a HoD to a school where students do not know you and always try it on, was tough. It really wasn't for me, but it gave me time to look for a job.
I eventually ended up at a local heritage charity and now do the learning side, dealing with schools at the museum. It is great, I get to do all the good things about teaching, but none of the crap. The pay is considerably lower though, which I struggle with sometimes, but I have my life back.
It can be really daunting looking at the job sites and seeing where to start after teaching for so long. Start by looking at how much you could realistically go down to, then it will narrow done jobs and cut others out. Then just keep looking, and see what comes up that may be interests you. Apply for some, as you may find a job that just gives you that extra breathing space for the time being. I am not intending to stay with my current role for ever, but at the moment I enjoy it, pay isn't great but it gives me time to assess my options.
At the end of the day, life is too short to be stressed, unhappy and in a job you really do not like. And unfortunately in the long run, it will impact you, family and the children you are teaching.
Good luck OP. Any questions about leaving teaching, you're more than welcome to email me (in profile)
mrwhyte - i WILL be in touch 🙂 Thanks
Treat your job as a source of income to allow you to do what you want in life. Some people live to work, others work to live.
Not that useful advice IMO. It's aimed at people who feel over-committed to their jobs and work too hard for their mental health. However when your job is simply shit, it doesn't really help when you need to keep going back to pay the bills.
I was a teacher many years ago, but couldn't put up with all of the BS, so got out quickly.
Have you considered staying in the sector, but moving into higher education - eg teaching in a university Education department?
JP
What about HE ? Move to being a Lecturer training new teachers ?
Cross posted
I am a teacher in Pastoral role in Scotland. I share the OPs feelings. The pressure is immense and the expectation endless. It has been taking a toll on my mental health. I don't have time to go to the toilet between 8am and whenever I leave. I can't remember the last time I sat down to eat lunch. The hours are having a negative effect on my family. I have seen experienced colleagues crack and be unable to return to work.
Luckily in Scotland we have a notional 35 hour working week. The reality is significantly more.
The current round of pay talks is looking like eventual strike following work-to-rule. I am trying to move towards a work-to-rule for my own sanity, and have started responding to requests with "I am sorry, there is only one of me."
In a discussion with colleagues one stated that they couldn't work to rule as the additional negative impact of that on their MH would push them over the edge. Sooner or later a child will die and it will be on our consciences.
Our weakness is we care about doing a good job. I view every child as if they were my own and consider "What would I want someone to do for my child?" as I plan and execute interventions. My golden rule is would I be able to look this child/parent in the eye in 10 years time and think "I did the right thing by this person".
The simple solution is to set the "Care" switch to "Off". Tragic. Can I last another 20 years?
In a discussion with colleagues one stated that they couldn’t work to rule as the additional negative impact of that on their MH would push them over the edge. Sooner or later a child will die and it will be on our consciences.
Our weakness is we care about doing a good job. I view every child as if they were my own and consider “What would I want someone to do for my child?” as I plan and execute interventions. My golden rule is would I be able to look this child/parent in the eye in 10 years time and think “I did the right thing by this person”.
And you've just given the best reason ever for saying "no more". Stretched, stressed folk don't make the best decisions. Saying "yes" is a short-term fix and masks the long-term problem.
Why would you even think of staying in this country?
