So I took a job half way through the year teaching English. Long term supply. (I'll repeat that for emphasis). Long term supply. I took the job knowing full well that the profession, to which I reluctantly belong, is the most stressful in the UK. And, I said to myself, "don't worry Dulce Domum, at least you won't have to go through an Ofsted." Oh, what a fool I was! Our department was told earlier this week that we are to go through a departmental Ofsted. On the last week of a seven week term. On the week Year 11 take their first English Literature GCSE exam (they're not on study leave - I am to teach them straight after they come out of an exam).
Nobody should worry about it too much. The department is strong, very strong. The nicest I've ever worked with. However, it has thrown us into an uncontrollable tail-spin of stress (and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth). Colleagues come up to us and commiserate: they hug us and look sorry (but perhaps a little relieved it's not them). We have received flowers and cards. It is as though we have been bereaved...denial, anger, bargaining (but I'm just a supply!), depression and acceptance...and wine and ice cream. I am particularly jittery, I've been out of the job for six year and have been in my new school for five weeks. I also suffer from extreme exam jitters.
Well, never mind. What doesn't kill me can only make me stronger. And, Nietzsche knew what he was talking about...didn't he?
Nobody should worry about it too much. The department is strong, very strong. The nicest I've ever worked with. However, it has thrown us into an uncontrollable tail-spin of stress (and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth). Colleagues come up to us and commiserate: they hug us and look sorry (but perhaps a little relieved it's not them). We have received flowers and cards. It is as though we have been bereaved...denial, anger, bargaining (but I'm just a supply!), depression and acceptance...and wine and ice cream. I am particularly jittery, I've been out of the job for six year and have been in my new school for five weeks. I also suffer from extreme exam jitters.
Well, never mind. What doesn't kill me can only make me stronger. And, Nietzsche knew what he was talking about...didn't he?
5 comments:
Commiserations. I'm sure all will go well but I know what you must be feeling. Take heart - the term will end soon afterwards and you can forget all about it in the glorious summer sunshine we've been promised.
Well, Nietzsche did go decidedly mad towards the end didn't he? Perhaps if you stuck two pencils up your nose, put some underpants on your head and said, "Wibble" repeatedly you might just get some nice rest time in the sanatorium. :)
Summer hols aren't far off now.
I'll be praying for a smooth Ofsted inspection. xxxxx
You may be a supply - but YOU ARE STILL A PROPER TEACHER!! Will be praying for you.
And remember, as the Head of a Catholic school once told me- Ofsted is an acronym - it stands for O Father, Send Them Eternal Damnation !!!
Commiserations and best wishes
Yoikes!
Good luck with it!
Zillah
I'm not sure what all this "teacher talk" is, Ofsted, for instance, but it sure doesn't sound like anyone else wants to partake. There's always that expression, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" or did he?
Nice to "see" you Dulce. Drop by when you have a moment...
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