HELP! please

manda · #1 (**permalink**) 16-03-2008, 06:18 PM

Hi,
I have just joined an agency for supply work. I am (as yet) unqualified, and inexperienced but I have been thrown into thee deep end. Every class I have been in so far have had a go at me because I am a supply teacher. I have also been sworn at and personally insulted.

I really love the teaching but the abuse I am getting is ma
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me wonder if it is worth carrying on.

Please, if anyone can give me any advice I would be really grateful, anything from classroom management to planning for lessons for years 8-11. I feel terrible about this. All I want to be is a useful member of a school.

Thanks

Manda

Gnomoospan · #2 (**permalink**) 16-03-2008, 06:22 PM

Are u supplying whilst doing your qts training/ didn't know you could do that. as I'm not secondary and never plan to be, I can't offer much advice except go in firm, don't put up with nonsense, follow the school's behaviour policy and report offenders to the line manager of your dept. If they see you as a walk over, they'll walk all over you! If you're still training, go and ask one of your tutors for some advice about secondary behaviour management.

NuttySupplier · #3 (**permalink**) 16-03-2008, 06:33 PM

Haven't done secondary either, but like G'span says, you need to go in strong, and make sure the kids know that you are not afraid to call on senior management/whatever behaviour policy the school has must be followed. The kids are bound to pick on you are you're supply, I know I used to do it - but if they realise you're not going to accept bad behaviour any more than their regular teachers do, then they should not be stupid enough to give you any more harder time than they give their regular teachers. It all takes time I'm afraid... I'd never train for secondary, scared enough of them when they're hanging around the street corners, let alone all in a room together some of them, but I know a lot obviously from having taught them, and once you've got their respect (it unfortunately does have to be earnt from kids these days, doesn't come automatically just coz you're older like it used to) they're lovely!! Good luck, and try not to say no to a school if you've already been there once before, you need to become a regular face... unless it's just a basically bad school, there are some lovely ones!
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manda · #4 (**permalink**) 16-03-2008, 06:37 PM

I'm still studying for my degree at the moment and I was told the only qualifi
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ions I need are a levels, to do what I'm doing now. I know it will take time to get some respect and experience it's just really hard at the moment. I'm glad I've found this website as I now feel like I'm not alone. Thanks for the support so far.

NuttySupplier · #5 (**permalink**) 16-03-2008, 07:56 PM

You're welcome, whenever, hang on in there!

manda · #6 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 05:32 PM

I took your advice and things hae been great! I was at a SEN school (behavioural problems) on Tuesday and the kids there were so much better behaved it was untrue! I have to admit I was a bit uneasy about going at first but I had a great day.
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Gnomoospan · #7 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 05:47 PM

Well done, that's great, once you;ve had one good day many more will follow, and by the time you've qualified you will be really confident and ready to take on your own class(es). Have a great, choc-filled easter xx

BY the way Nutty don't you think there should be a smiley for choc, it would be the most popular on here!

NuttySupplier · #8 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 05:47 PM

Sooooo glad! See, you just need a few days like that, and you'll be able to
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t brushing off the bad days as bad schools/bad timing etc. and not take them as personally.

Keep going!
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NuttySupplier · #9 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 05:48 PM

Yes, need a virtual chocolate donation button too don't we?! I'll look into it G'span!

pebble · #10 (**permalink**) 20-03-2008, 09:42 PM

Hi manda - don't suppose this helps much but I've also been thrown in the deep end regarding secondary school. I'm primary (infant) trained and after a year and a half's career break I had been wor
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at my daughter's secondary school as a TA. At half term I left (well I tried to!!!) as I wanted to focus on KS2 supply but they keep calling me back to do odd days of supply. I enjoy the variety - history, food tech, citizenship, art... then after lunch... etc, etc!!

But I too have found the behaviour and attitude towards supply teachers pretty difficult to handle. It's almost as if they're so disappointed that you're not their "real" teacher that they can't quite manage to be civil! (And in answer to their question "Are you a real teacher?" I simply pinched my arm, said "OW!" and then answered "Yep, seems so!")

I also seem to have difficulties with students giving me their correct name - having had a chunk of blu tac flicked at my head I was told the girl's name was Micky, Micky Mouse that is!!! Grrrrr!

However the SLT have been very supportive and I've asked them for some tips regarding behaviour management, too.

Hope things settle for you soon!

PS to Nutty - yes please to virtual chocolate!

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