I feel at the moment I’m pretty negative most of the time about what I do and sometimes I need to take a step back and remember why I do this job. I do it because I am lucky enough to work with a bloody fantastic group of kids, who make me laugh on a daily basis and when I’m feeling shit will always put a smile on my face.
A few of my fave teaching moments:
1. On a residential trip with year 7 we had to clear the tables and chairs at the end of quiz night ready for breakfast the next morning. This turned into several members of staff and a group of around twenty 12 year olds dancing and singing round the hall like something out of Grease. Cheesy as hell but so special at the same time!
2. The results day where one of my hardest working students found out she’d got into Cambridge. As soon as I walked into school she gave me an enormous hug, which brought tears to my eyes (especially as the night before I’d dreamt she hadn’t got in!)
3. After going through a particularly crap time at work I had to leave a class briefly to compose myself (over emotional mess that I was!) I returned to find one of the class had brought up a Maths games and was guest hosting the class to keep them entertained! What a darling boy, and I’ll be forever grateful.
4. When my very first form left in Year 11, they had organized to have a plate signed by each of the form, which they presented to me on our last form time. I’d made them all up a goody bag with a card inside. I didn’t get to do my “leaving speech” as I welled up as soon as I started talking but 7 years after they left I remember them all so fondly.
5. When I first started teaching I had the most horrendous Year 9 class who made my life hell. It took a lot of time and effort to get them on board, but they ended up being my favourite class that I then took through to years 10&11. Getting a bunch of lovely thank you cards from them is one of my loveliest memories.
When I think about all the amazing times I’ve had, every single one of them is focused around the pupils. And there are so many general every day special moments that occur which make me stay in the job. The parent who tells you how much their child is enjoying your lesson, the kid who you watch grow in confidence over the course of the year, the pupil who puts their trust in you enough to tell you what’s going on in their life.
So whilst I may moan a bit. Okay, okay, I moan a lot (just be glad you don’t have to work with me), I still love being in the classroom and being with the pupils. Our teenagers are an amazing group of young people and I am honoured to work with them.
How amazing, it must be so rewarding, especially getting through to the challenging ones. I’ve considered doing a PGCE myself and volunteered in a primary but i can’t quite make my mind up!
I love the teaching part of the job, it’s all the other stuff that comes with it that gets in the way. I’m glad I don’t teach full time this year as it can take over your life, but it’s a lot more manageable doing 4 days.
Whenever the admin/managerial crap is driving me mad within a few minutes of being in the classroom the kids have changed my mood, always for the better. And whilst they can be little monkeys on occasions they are just being kids and that’s allowed, and makes for lots of funny moments along the way!
That’s what puts me off! All the planning, paper work and red tape. I just want to do the fun bit not the stressful bit 😉
This is sooo wonderful.
Truly, teachers inspire me. I don’t think I could do one day in your job. And you must be a really good one – not all teachers get hugs and cards from their classes.
Thanks Denise, I always try to be myself in the classroom and I think the kids I teach really respond to that.
I’ve been teaching for 3 years and for every bad moment there’s been a good one to make up for it. I’m on maternity leave at the moment and I thought I would love being away (and I do!) but I actually can’t wait to get back in the classroom!
I actually didn’t feel quite ready to go back but had missed the kids. Enjoy the rest of your mat leave!
I’ve been teaching for 3 years now and although I’m loving my maternity leave I actually can’t wait to get back in the classroom!
I haven’t taught for two years now since having my first but I do miss it!
If I left I’d miss the kids but definitely not the workload!
I don’t know how you do it. You are fantastic for putting so much into your job. Through the good and bad
Thank you, although what’s sad is teachers are still being told that’s not enough! Only so much you can give! x
I love reading your school posts – you obviously care about your job as much as I do – and as much as I wish all teachers did x
Aw, thanks. I love my Job for so many reasons which I why I get so annoyed by the crap that is thrown our way. I am very lucky to work in a school where about 90% of the staff are completely dedicated, just a pity that senior management can’t see it.
Anyway, it’s Friday so no more moaning. Have a lovely weekend Colette xx
You’re doing a great job. Hubby is a teacher so I know how stressful it can be. xxx
I remember reading your post about your husbands job, I think it was called “He loves his job”. It was fab and perfectly detailed the reality of being a teacher at the minute.
Thanks for commenting x
I can still remember my school teachers and the ones who had the biggest impression on me. You sound like a very caring teacher.
I think it’s hard to do this job and not care, although increasingly we are being told to see pupils are targets and levels and not individuals!
Such a great post, and those do sound like magic moments. It’s always good to step back when things are rough and look for positives like this x
How lovely, a real collection of #magicmoments. What a fantastic job that you do, inspiring and encouraging our young people – I’m sure it’s not easy but if must be great when you feel that you’ve made a difference and really connected with a class or pupil.
What a beautiful post remembering all the good! sometimes its all we need to keep going.
thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments
That’s actually a really lovely post. I don’t think teachers get credit due from a lot of parents. One of my friends is a teacher so I know how much effort and work goes in once the kids have left for the day. It’s nice to be rewarded with such beautiful memories.
It is encouraging to hear how passionate teachers are whilst sending my sons to school. There is a lot of red tape and stupid rules making it all the more difficult. I’m glad you are enjoying it.
As a teacher, I can completely relate to this. How beautifully you’ve captured those moments! Lovely to read it for Archive Day.