Advice please!

brea1038

Hi all,
Firstly, I'd like to say how helpful this forum is and thanks to you all for posting.
I'm hoping I can get some advice please. I'm a second level history and religion teacher. I'm only 2 years qualified and I'm feeling very disillusioned at the moment. I know it's only the first week back but I'm really questioning my ability as a teacher and with the teaching profession in general.
I've been lucky enough to get work both this year and last year, albeit part time/subbing/maternity cover. So far, as a non permanent teacher at second level, I have never really felt any connection to the classes I have as I was never with them on a long term basis. I've gotten involved in extra curricular activities but I feel very disposable and not taken seriously by both students and teachers. I've been in DEIS schools since qualifying and find classroom management unbearable at times. I try to engage students by using ICT, group work etc. but despite repeated attempts I lose the will to continue. Going forward, with my subjects, I don't believe I can secure a decent contract and dread the thought of being 30 and still living at home.
I really don't mean to come across as a major whinger, I do know I'm lucky to have something and there are many of you not as fortunate.
I would like to know if any of you have ever considered doing Primary teaching and if you have, is there any way to be given credit in any modules because I already have a teaching qualification? I'm fully aware of the challenges at primary too but was just an option I was considering long term. I'd really appreciate any advice.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.

happywithlife

dont' quite know what to say other than that 2 years isn't quite that long so give yourself a bit of time to get the discipline under your belt - i found when i became pregnant and went back to work after having the baby i suddenly lost all patience for time wasting and got much firmer with discipline. being tired and hormonal did wonders for my classroom management as i just cut straight to the chase and cut out any BS -- now i'm not advocating you go out and get pregnant lol but just take get a handle on discipline. don't go ott, don't raise your voice even when students are really testing you and keep a level head at all times. have a clear set of consequences for misbehaviour - i worked in a school that used a points basis to discipline students and for years afterwards (even though i wasn't even in the school that long) i kept coming back to that points system in my head and using that as a guide as to the seriousness of the level of disruption. maybe work out a similar set of markers for yourself
re the primary school teaching i don't know anything about that so can't help you sorry
best of luck with it

byhookorbycrook

Sorry you are having a tough time, but if you are considering primary, I suggest you do some voluntary time there. It's tough going too!!

brea1038

Thank you so much for the replies