Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone! I really need some support and advice. I just started a new teaching job (I’m an intern in the 5 year olds class). There is usually another ‘main’ teacher with me, but she has been sick for the past two weeks. Upon reaching quite an intense level of distress, I revealed my diagnosis to my boss. She seemed willing to continue the discussion on how to support me. It is not the task of teaching so much as the environment itself that overwhelms me. There are only 9 children in the class, but the noise is constant and the demand on me can often be overwhelming. It is clear that my employer doesn’t really understand autism, despite this being a DEIJ school. This is also reflected in the ways they manage their own neurodiverse learners. I have asked her for frequent breaks throughout the day to decompress. Though I get the feeling that if something needs to be done / someone is sick / something hasn’t been properly planned, that I will not be able to take these breaks. Today for example, I had to ask who would be watching the children during lunch, as my mentor teacher is ill. It was clear they hadn’t thought about this. They know I get overwhelmed, but there have been several situations where I have not had a learning assistant helping me in the class when there is usually one as a result of bad planning. It has got to the point where I am questioning my decision to obtain my teaching degree. I love working with children, and I am a good teacher, but my experience here has been overwhelming, and I do feel like I am being tolerated rather than welcomed. I have been told by the long standing teachers that work here that the things I have experienced here are quite common - the staff here, in general, do not seem particularly happy. On paper it is a good job. Top of the range salary with more than enough teachers per child. Are there any teachers out there that can provide some advice? My mental health has deteriorated very quickly in the last month, and I have been struggling with frequent IBS issues, which have worsened since I got here. I have an undergraduate degree in English and psychology. I also have a TEFL certificate. I absolutely love writing, and I miss the parts of teaching that I no longer have access to (teaching reading and writing, conversing with students about important topics etc.). I am so scared that whilst I may be a good teacher, my autism prevents me from managing the environment. Can anyone give me some advice? Has anyone had similar experiences? Is there a way to teach without having to sacrifice your mental health? Part of me wishes I’d qualified to teach older kids, as I love discussing the more complex topics (bullying, sexual health, mental and physical health etc.). But I don’t want to get a whole other degree. Any advice would be so helpful. Thank you.
NAS96185 said:There are only 9 children in the class, but the noise is constant and the demand on me can often be overwhelming.
Are you sure this is the right job for you? From what you describe, you will be overwhelmed by the basic nature of children in groups which is what schools are essentially.
From the point of view of safety of the children, if things get s bit pressurised and you are on your own (eg a fight breaks out and one child is hurt and needing medical attention) then would you be able to handle the intense pressure of dealing with the hurt child, the other panicking children and call the authorities while providing emergency first aid and escallating the situation using the school procedures?
I realise this is a bit extreme, but these are exactly the sort of situations that you need to be ready to handle as it can literally be life and death of the child at stake.
This is more of a reality check - it has to be a job that allows you to have some quality of life and it sounds like it is puting you through the grinder every day. You deserve better.
Perhaps a role as a tutor would be better suited to you.
How about - you clearly know quite a bit about autism so why not study about how special needs are adressed ideally from the perspective of neurodiverse children and become a specialist in suggesting ways for schools to implement support and training for staff to be able to do this properly.
It will be a longer term strategy but could get you away from the kids and working with the teachers and managers of the schools.
Just a thought,.