Supply teaching destroying confidence as a teacher.

[djryan84]

Hi Guys.

I have recently qualified as a primary school teacher and as an NQT have
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ted my career on supply as i felt that experience in lots of schools and age groups would really do me good.

My agency have been good and found me regular work, but i find myself being sent to tough schools where behaviour is an issue throughout.

I find myself not being able to teach anywhere near what i want to and instead find myself trying to keep classes in line, ma
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sure that children go home at the end of the day injury free.

Every day this week i have dealt with rude children who seem to ignore everything i say and smile when i tell them off. I follow the behaviour policies as best as i can and take time off of break etc. Basically all of the strategies that were successful as a student teacher now seem pretty useless.

I have only been wor
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for four weeks, but already i am
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ting to dread each new school that i go to. My confidence in myself as a teacher is fast deteriating and I find myself wondering if I am really cut out for life as a teacher.

Anybody else found themselves in this situation? How can I improve things for myself?

hope to hear from you soon

Dan

[NuttySupplier]

Hi Dan, glad you found us!

That's how supply teaching often
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ts out to be honest... especially for NQTs as they are often cushioned whilst training (mentors choosing the schools you go to etc.)

However... stick with it! It gets better, your confidence will grow, and most of all, try to get 'sent' to the same schools... have you tried approaching schools yourself? Like the ones where you did your training, or schools that you know are nice ones round your area? You don't have to work through an agency necessarily, they just do the leg work for you, but you're allowed to do it yourself! If you
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t going to a school more regularly, you'll find that you will
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t to know the kids, the routines, the effective disciplinarians in the school (is that a word? I mean the teachers the kids almost fear so you can threaten them with sending them to Mrs Soandso)...

I think most of us, even after years at it, dread going to new schools!! You've done soooo well wor
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for this long, show the kids that you're confident and that you will teach them!

[Wendy]

Hi Dan, are you secondary or primary? Nutty is quite right in all she says. I used to be a behaviour support TA but still find myself frustrated at the behaviour of some children. Find out which are the 'nice' schools and introduce yourself.

[ruby_tuesday]

Hi Dan

You’ve already been given some great advice.

I was just wondering whether you chose supply rather than permanent, or you haven’t found a contract yet?

I think supply is incredibly difficult and you have given yourself a very steep learning curve. Unless it doesn’t suit your plans really hunt for a contract somewhere, even for a term because then you will be able to build a relationship with a class, trial different behaviour management strategies and (hopefully) receive good support from colleagues. Then, when on supply, you’ll have a bit more experience and know what has worked for you. Going into different schools where everything (children, staff, building, curriculum, resources, parents & timetable) is very hard even for teachers with more experience, even more so if the schools you are going to have challenging behaviour, and unwelcoming / unhelpful staff (it happens!).

Otherwise, take Nutty’s advice and do some ground work yourself and try and build up some regular schools that you like by dropping in, taking round your cv and introducing yourself. I know lots of people use agencies, I only did supply for a short time, but was far more successful with schools where I made the initial contact.

Keep going, you’re doing well!

[janeb]

Hi Dan,

No extra advice here as the ladies above have said everything I would have...

...so just have a hug instead!!
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