I will add that if you are working in a high-poverty school (which are always the most challenging) you will need to consider a couple of things. I agree with the notion that these kids can be extremely challenging and uncooperative. However,
1) If you are a teacher who takes little to no time trying to develop some type of relatiosnhip with these kids, then you will fight a losing battle. These kids need support, understanding and encouragement more than yelling, detentions and "put-downs".
2) I can not stress enough the importance of finding a school with good support from the administration and one with some type of counseling support for the kids. There is nothing worse than going through some of the struggles and challenges and feeling like your on an island. For example, we have teachers who get told to "f$$k off" all the time, and those kids are back in class the next day. Or, we have teachers who get physically threatened only to hear the administration say, "talk to the police and do something about it". These cases are not single exceptions as people may think. If you have a weak administration, then it becomes very difficult.
It has been my experience working at a challenging Academy here in the UK that many teachers have lost their fervour for helping kids. I believe a lot of this is due to the poor support and management over the years. The kids I encounter are very challenging (violent, short-tempered, crap family life, etc.), however, a little caring goes a LONG way with these kids. I love the kids I have..they are a little rough around the edges, but when you get to know them, you realize the potential in each one.
My suggestion is, if you are not ready to give of yourself to these kids, then think real hard about your move. Wanting to come here to "experience" the UK system and get to travel around Europe is not a good excuse to come.
However, if you are the type of teacher who is thick-skinned, very very patient and has an innate desire to help make a difference in the life of these kids, then please come on over...we need you! |
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I'm getting nervous. Everyone keeps writing about how challenging UK students are, but aren't students challenging everywhere? I have students who can't read at level, have special needs, are inappropriate, and verbally abusive to peers. Is this what I can expect or am I in for a surprise? Is middle school age that much different in the UK?
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| I think the challenging part about it is the fact that there is very little support for these kids at schools. It is true that there are challenging kids anywhere you go, but, in the US, we have loads of "extras" that can help in support. You will not find that level of support here. |
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Thanks - that helps. When I ask about the level of support in interviews, what should I be looking for? I fear I may take for granted they have support. In other words, what don't they have in the UK that they offer in the US?
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| Well, one of the things you will be suprised by is that most schools here do not have a guidance department. Instead, they have Learning Support Specialists...my school has two for 1500 students. I spoke with my LSA's this past week and came to find out that the "guidance" support is only it its second year and, in some schools, this is the first year they are offering the service. As far as the special education program, well, let's just say it's a work in progress. I have 16 different classes I teach during the week. Out of those, nine require a special ed teacher...I would be lucky to have one during the week. The support is just not there. It seems to me that the special ed and guidance support infrastructure is not well developed in this country as of yet. The LSA's will be to closest thing you have to guidance counselors at the schools, but you can imagine how swamped they are having to cater to a couple thousand students. It is an area for big concern, especially in high-poverty schools that usually have many students with special needs. |
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