Furiousteacher

Have you thought to ask your child's teacher why they're striking? In my class of 32 children, 80% speak English as a second, third and in one case forth language. Not only am I teaching them how to read, write and speak English but to understand idioms, write using the passive voice and understand nuance in their vocabulary choice using academic language. Rumour has it class sizes are increasing to 35 in my school. These children will get less and less time and attention spent on them. How will this develop their learning? 4 children have medical conditions which affect their learning. Due to cuts to school funding there is no additional support for these children anymore. Just me. Teachings assistants are not being replaced as they leave. Teaching assistants are being asked to reduce their hours. Speech and language therapy has suddenly become a luxury that we might not be able to afford much longer. On top of this I am judged and my pay is decided on the progress of all of these children. These children who are all assessed using the same test. A test which doesn't care that the boy in my class with severe dyslexia has the most incredible ideas but can't spell for toffee. A test which doesn't care about the fact that some children have only been learning English for a year or 18 months. A test which doesn't care about the fact that a child has a 75% attendance this year because they have been attending physio therapy sessions. I am working in excess of 60 hours a week for your children. I put their needs ahead of my own and my family's. How selfish of me to try to protect your children's education. Maybe you see this as irresponsible, maybe this will inconvenience some parents but if our actions made your life easy would anyone listen to us? Perhaps if we had an education secretary who was an ex-teacher they would understand the ridiculous demands they put on teachers and schools. Thank you WorkingMummy for supporting teachers and understanding that this is an important day for us to try to make the government listen. Thank you for having a mature attitude towards mitigating the inconvenience that we are aware that this will cause. I've spoken to several parents of my class who fully support the action of the NUT and it is much appreciated. So DaveR, when you point out to your child's teacher your disgust and the irresponsibility of their action and you remind them of their selfishness, please also ask them to tell you how many hours they worked this week - then maybe have a look at how little teachers get paid for this. Ask them how many of their own child's sports days, assemblies and school plays they've missed. The last time they could afford to go on holiday. Oh and how many sick days they haven't taken because your child was more important than recovering from the flu or getting over the physical and mental symptoms of a miscarriage. I'm sure then you will understand just how selfish your teachers are.

Have you thought to ask your child's teacher why they're striking? In my class of 32 children, 80% speak English as a second, third and in one case forth language. Not only am I teaching them how to read, write and speak English but to understand idioms, write using the passive voice and understand nuance in their vocabulary choice using academic language. Rumour has it class sizes are increasing to 35 in my school. These children will get less and less time and attention spent on them. How will this develop their learning? 4 children have medical conditions which affect their learning. Due to cuts to school funding there is no additional support for these children anymore. Just me. Teachings assistants are not being replaced as they leave. Teaching assistants are being asked to reduce their hours. Speech and language therapy has suddenly become a luxury that we might not be able to afford much longer. On top of this I am judged and my pay is decided on the progress of all of these children. These children who are all assessed using the same test. A test which doesn't care that the boy in my class with severe dyslexia has the most incredible ideas but can't spell for toffee. A test which doesn't care about the fact that some children have only been learning English for a year or 18 months. A test which doesn't care about the fact that a child has a 75% attendance this year because they have been attending physio therapy sessions. I am working in excess of 60 hours a week for your children. I put their needs ahead of my own and my family's. How selfish of me to try to protect your children's education. Maybe you see this as irresponsible, maybe this will inconvenience some parents but if our actions made your life easy would anyone listen to us? Perhaps if we had an education secretary who was an ex-teacher they would understand the ridiculous demands they put on teachers and schools. Thank you WorkingMummy for supporting teachers and understanding that this is an important day for us to try to make the government listen. Thank you for having a mature attitude towards mitigating the inconvenience that we are aware that this will cause. I've spoken to several parents of my class who fully support the action of the NUT and it is much appreciated. So DaveR, when you point out to your child's teacher your disgust and the irresponsibility of their action and you remind them of their selfishness, please also ask them to tell you how many hours they worked this week - then maybe have a look at how little teachers get paid for this. Ask them how many of their own child's sports days, assemblies and school plays they've missed. The last time they could afford to go on holiday. Oh and how many sick days they haven't taken because your child was more important than recovering from the flu or getting over the physical and mental symptoms of a miscarriage. I'm sure then you will understand just how selfish your teachers are.