will it get better?

Question

I am a student teacher, teaching post 16, and although i love doing my teaching hours, i am a bit overwhelmed, and feel as though i know nothing.Did anyone else feel this way when they first started teaching?

Answer 1

Yes, I certainly did and still do, even though I've finished my year as an NQT now (I've started my 2nd year of teaching)! I remember feeling exhausted by the middle of the 2nd term of my PGCE course, and the drop in teaching hours couldn't come quickly enough as far as I was concerned! I felt guilty about it as I wasn't working full-time hours! Fortunately, the colleagues at my placement college were sympathetic enough to remind me that as well as teaching, I was also doing a full-time post graduate course, preparing for lessons, and spending 3 hours travelling to a college that I hated in an area that I hated everyday, so I had every right to feel tired! Moreover, you're exposing yourself to students, colleagues and bosses who feel that they've got the god given right to treat you like dirt if it suits them, while this is going on, you have to pretend that everything's ok when you actually feel like a nervous wreck or strangling them (depending on what you have to do during the day), which is very draining! From my own experience, I found that it got a LOT worse but is now getting a LOT better. Other teachers I spoke to said that it takes 3 years to feel 'fully' experienced and qualified. I don't know though! Sometimes, I feel like I've been teaching for years, other times, I'm waiting for someone to point their finger at me and say 'she's not a teacher', she's just a former psychology student! LOL The only good thing was that my fellow PGCE students felt the same way as I did (I bet yours do too)!

One thing I can say though is that although I often question my ability to teach and wonder why on earth I don't just pack it in, I know that I don't want to do anything else! I also know that when this feeling disappears, that's when I should pack it in, as I will have become too cynical to carry on doing it properly and then I won't be any good to anyone anymore! I also remind myself of what my PGCE tutor once told me. Pain is a sign of growth! in other words, if you're exhausted and fed up now, you'll be fantastic later on!

By the way, I've also found out that as a former PGCE student, I know far more than I thought I did and that things I take for granted such as designing a good lesson plan, other more experienced teachers don't have a clue about! In other words, believe in yourself! You know far more than you think and if you want to be a good teacher but it feels like hell, that's good, not bad, because you're learning loads (without realising it) and will be a great teacher later on, especially if you continue to do what you're doing which is thinking about what you're feeling and what you want the students to do, instead of just lecturing/dictating them through their lessons.

Loads of luck to you for the rest of your course!

Answer 2

As a teacher of nine years, I can confidently tell you it will get better. You will fall into a routine where you prioritise your tasks (very important) and spend time on the things that really matter. Don't sweat the small stuff, and make sure lessons have the same basic structure. Starter activity (can be anything from the news, a small quiz...anything to get the students involved and captured). Then two or three distinct periods of learning, with a clear break to discuss things between, and enough time at the end to clarify homework, and get the students to write it down. FINISH the lesson, don't just let it end. The students should be standing behind chairs ready to go before the signal. Post 16 students are more flexible, you can joke a little more with them, just make sure you know your stuff - very important at that level. I could go on with all sorts of tips etc...but it would take all day. If you want more...say so by adding detail. Happy to help.

Answer 3

Yes, and I think that's why it is called student teaching. Even with all the training you receive in college, I don't think anyone is ever quite prepare to face the actual experience. But, it does get better as you continue to teach and learn, because every teacher is a student first, always learning new ways to present material so that the children can learn as well.

Answer 4

Every penny we get, when we were poor, doubled in geometric proportions and so is the knowledge when it is sought and embellished. At one stage, when we have knowledge it looks like insignificant, before the hungry mouths of students or what we think of their imagination or hunger, when the teacher knew what he did know was insufficient as yet to face his students. But that insufficiency in the master’s knowledge will always be there, otherwise why we should live the life of humans in perpetual quest, only to keep filling the void as long as we breath. So I think it wont get better for the teacher and as a student it always gets better. So better be a student than a master, though master has his own advantages and virtues. Please check whether I am there.

Answer 5

Anyone that says they didn't is either lying or delusional! Teaching is like driving, you don't really begin to make true progress until you've actually qualified!! I've been in teaching for 5 years now and in many ways it is so much easier than when I was training.

If you love it, hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel!!

Answer 6

I have just started my PGCE course, it has only been two weeks so far, and already I feel utterly burnt out!

So I do sympathise.

I've got a lot of friends who are teachers, who keep telling me that the training year and the first year as a newly qualified teacher are both extremely demanding, but that after that, it gets easier.

Just make sure you are hyper organised, always write everything down and file it, keep a diary that is up to date, and take each day as it comes...

Have fun!

Answer 7

Yes, it's like driving. Really hard at first, you have to think about every single manouvre. It gets easier with practice, and like driving, one day you'll be doing things instinctively and automatically. However, be warned, teaching, like driving is impossible with your eyes closed! Therefore, you will always come across new situations that require you to stop and think about how to deal with them, but with experience (and a few mistakes along the way) you will be better able to cope.

Good luck - stick at it. It's the best job in the world!

Answer 8

One of my mates's did a course at either Sheffield or Nottingham. Then he did work experience and he pulled out 1/2 way through cos he couldn't take the stick from the pupils. As far as knowledge is concerned he said it got better as you go along though. Hope it goes well.

Answer 9

Yes of coure they do even when they have been teaching for some time. Students are very forgiving if you don't knowsomething if you are honest and say you will have to check that. You cannot know everything and we all feel inadequate from time to time.

Answer 10

It'll be much better in your second year when everythings in place. First year and especially this winter term is the most difficult. Good luck and keep going, at post 16 especiallly it can be fun.