What type of Primary teacher are you?

There is a lot of concern at the moment with regard to the drop out rate in new teachers – currently running at between 40 – 50% in the first 2 years. This is an alarming statistic…not only from an actual staffing point of view but from an economic standpoint of money invested.

In this article I want to start to look at the sorts of perception that student teachers have of the profession and also the harsh realities of what they meet when they first enter the classroom.

Is there in fact a huge divide in what teaching is purported to be and what in reality it actually is?

However let me add at this point that there is also a growing discontent within the profession for the direction that teaching seems to be being pushed and that this is also causing experienced teachers to re-consider their career.

Take a look at the photo that heads this article and also cast your mind to the teaching TV ads that are shown. Now there are not many occasions where I agree with Sir Michael Wilshaw the OFSTED chief who has recently retired , but he left with 10 areas he had concerns about. 8 of the 10 I didn’t agree with and 1 of the remaining 2 I cant remember! But the one that did strike a chord was that he “objected to the way that Teaching was shown in the recruitment ads”….quite simply it paints a false picture – as does my lead photo.

Teaching is shown as if in an ideal scenario….children sit quietly about, listening intently and you as the well respected teacher can interact and point the way forward as learning is enjoyed by all. It is calm, serene and a wonderful profession to be in. You have a respected career and are loved by all !! …..

This picture is pushed forward as what teaching is all about – and to be honest many, many people buy into this and think that is  virtually a higher calling.

Well unfortunately I have news for you –

You are NOT the Blues Brothers and this is NOT a mission from God!

Teaching IS a great profession to be in, but if you enter it with some soft focus notion that you are saving the planets children then it will eat you up and spit you out.

Its hard – make no mistake but the bottom line is that you have to take all the soft soapiness away and become a PROFESSIONAL TEACHER – this is a professional job and you are a trained individual ….get out there and make it work FOR you and don’t let it push you around!

It sounds a hard line and it is – how do I know this?….well I did over 30 years in teaching at every level and I made damn sure it worked for me, in MY life.

So if you are feeling pushed around by the profession, under the cosh with the workload or struggling in the classroom now is the time to step back and decide to regain control of your teaching career and also your life.

Look at the problems that are bothering you and ask….”so what am I going to do about it?” – if you do nothing then nothing will change!

So….

“What are you going to do about it?”

There are 2 areas that we can broadly consider – they cover everything that happens

• In the classroom
• Workload

Workload I will cover in another article which will deal with your work / home life balance – its multi faceted but do-able and just involves prioritising.

And for the classroom I am going to refer you to my other articles that deal with classroom management and behaviour management. If you take a look through the articles I have written, they deal with the practicalities of being a teacher. I don’t write about lesson content – I do write about how to BE a teacher and how to organise your teaching career.

If you get your classroom and children organised, that side of your teaching wont be such a problem for you. Classroom management is the foundation that underpins all that you do each day with your class. Without this basic and vital foundation you cannot successfully teach the children in your class and each day will become a constant battle to maintain order, standards and the learning environment.

However sometimes the bottom line is – it may not be you….

Schools vary and each school is different. Locations, parents, children, staff and management.

Some are very good and can transcend location and intake quality and some struggle every step of the way. High achieving schools come with a whole new set of pressures for both children and staff and home lives can affect children from whatever backgrounds.

Not all teachers are suited to all schools – its a plain and simple fact. As for me, I spent most of my teaching career in very difficult inner city schools in deprived areas. Front line teaching we used to call it due to the nature of the job! But I can honestly say that I enjoyed my job and all the challenges that it brought – it suited me…it may not have suited you.

One of the biggest affecting factors in a school are the senior staff and management team, and that includes the head. A good management team irrespective of school location, will run a good school that looks after its staff. A poor management team will struggle on everything and the staff will pay the price in all aspects.

I will leave for another article my thoughts on management teams….should be a hot one to write !

To pull this section together – it may not be your personal approach and skills that are the problem in your career. Step back and rationally look at the other factors involved

• Is this the type of school – location / pupil intake that is suited to you?
• Is the school well run and managed or do you think the school crossing lady could do a better job!!

If your answer to either of these is negative then you need to change schools….vote with your feet. There are always jobs about and if you’re in a situation that doesn’t suit you then move to one that does. Don’t automatically hit the nuclear option and leave the profession!

In summing up….Teaching is a great profession to be in. Its not easy but you do need to toughen up and make it your Professional career. Take a long hard look at what is happening and grab it by the scruff of the neck and make it work for you – not the other way round.

I can always be contacted through the Primary Practice email if you would like any further advice.

Primary Practice would like to invite you to join our NQT and trainee teachers Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1347401775298840/?ref=bookmarks

Charles