ff ... I worked as a Supply teacher for many years when my children were young - it was, I thought, the hardest job in the world... and, yes, the famed '6 wks' holiday condensed to 2. Then, before I retired, the beaurocracy came in. My lesson plans used to consist of a few notes in my files per class - I knew what I was doing and not only had no complaints from parents and school, but was highly praised and very effective. I still often worked until midnight.
Suddenly I was faced with having to write, at some length, aims and objectives of every lesson, detail resources I would need and assess effectiveness of said lesson (7 per day!!). I was relieved to quit.
I now volunteer one morning a week in a local comp. and help slower readers to catch up Wonderful! - great rapport with the kids and very satisfying as I see them make up 2 years or more on their reading ages. I feel so desperately sorry for the teachers. Business systems do not sit with the creativity and interaction needed. 'My' school is losing almost all it's 'English' staff and a huge percentage of others. I'll be happy to go in just to be a familiar face in the corridors for the kids to latch on to.
Education is not an industry - it is dealing with children - and to apply industrial standards is to kill the vocation and the joy.
Jim ----- I also think you would make an excellent teacher.
My teachers' pension is just over £3,500 a year.
Think that covers most of it. :)
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