Initial Thoughts

Having just checked twitter I noticed Dannynic has posted http://bit.ly/juBa3s  from Charles Ripley. An American teacher who is posting his time usage during his coming year of teaching, starting from his summer vacation.

I am a teacher in the UK, not the USA, but like him, I have concerns about the numbers of teachers who study, train and enter the teaching profession with ambition and enthusiasm, only to leave within a few years.  My current concerns in the UK are not only linked to the loss of our newly qualified teachers, but also to the current government proposals that teachers should work until they are 68.

I qualified in 1987 and over the last 24 years have been fortunate enough to have a variety of jobs across the education sector; classroom teacher, L.E.A. advisor, ICT trainer and back to classroom teacher. I LOVE my job but the idea of having to work until 68 maintaining enthusiasm, fresh ideas, patience and the physical stamina to be on my feet all day is really depressing. 

As a parent myself I would not wish my children to be taught by someone who has not chosen to be in the classroom, or has not got the requisite physical and mental acuity to cope with groups of pupils who are living and dealing with totally different issues and worldly situations from those they have experiences of.  Charles's blog aims to highlight the number of hours he puts in as a teacher, he does so "in the hopes of demonstrating that a ten week break this summer does not mean I work or am worth less than any private sector job."  In emulating his blog from this side of the Atlantic I aim to show those of you who might interested enough to follow that the face to face time with the students is the tip of the iceberg.
I believe my salary is greater than my American counterparts, and I am fortunate enough to have a stable partner with an income higher than mine. It's a "vocational" job.. as my head teacher pointed out the other day. Hmmm.  But I seriously doubt I'll be as vocationally enthused in 21 years time and that isn't good for me, the teaching profession or, and I believe this is the crux of the matter; the children I will be teaching.

Look around you at 68 year olds you know... hopefully they have a love of life and the ability to live it to the full.  Look at the children you know. If they have teachers who are caring, knowlegable and enthusiastic those children will want to learn, they will respond to new opportunities and engage with the world.  If I am forced to teach until I'm 68 I hope I will be able to provide that support, but in all honesty I can't say I will. I'll log my hours over the coming months, support Charles in his request and consider my options.