PGDE trouble

LQO

I'm doing the PGDE at the moment, and am finding it a struggle. We're not getting much help in college with regard to how to teach the subjects, and I really feel like I've been thrown in the deep end with no clue as to what to do.

At the moment I'm putting hours and hours of thought and planning into 40 minutes of a lesson that the kids don't even really care about, and it's a lot of work for very little reward.

I know it's a competitive course to get into, and I feel ungrateful for asking, but is it worth continuing with it? Does life as a teacher get any easier as time goes on? Or maybe I'm just not suited to the job?

snerks

Hi, i'm doing PDGE too, in UCD. Its not easy at moment but have to say i'm enjoying the majority of the time. It is a job with very little in the way of rewards. Mostly I get a buzz from the feedback and interaction from the kids. It's a challenge to me to get their attention and then to keep them interested.
Where you studying and what's your subjects?

Rebelheart

LQO wrote: »

I'm doing the PGDE at the moment, and am finding it a struggle. We're not getting much help in college with regard to how to teach the subjects, and I really feel like I've been thrown in the deep end with no clue as to what to do.

At the moment I'm putting hours and hours of thought and planning into 40 minutes of a lesson that the kids don't even really care about, and it's a lot of work for very little reward.

Hi Lqo,

Sorry to hear about your current disposition. I wouldn't quit. Two brief suggestions and other posters here should have much more to add:

1. Assuming you have met your supervisor, ask her/him to look at your lesson plans and give you suggestions for improving. That is his/her job. Additionally, bring your trouble to the attention of your Tutor. S/he should be very helpful. You should have the mobile numbers of both these people. They are there to help you. Have you had any visits yet? What feedback did they give?

2. Get the Year Head in straight away if you are having any disciplinary problems with the class. Tell him/her your problem with the class and see what they can do. You could also ask your co-operating teacher if they could sit in on your class and give you some feedback. The staff in your school should be very helpful. You may just have to ask them. Generally, people like being asked for advice.

I think you should exploit the wisdom, experience and ideas of teachers around you. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Everybody does.

maynooth_rules

You will get very little help with regards teaching you subject in the PGDE unfortunatly. They prefer to lecture about the History of Education:rolleyes:. Have a chat with your supervisor, tutor and your subject teacher. I know its very tough in the first few months and i really really feel that many of the lectures can be dropped or changed so that they can be of use for the student teacher in the classroom situation. Stay strong

ytareh

Just keep telling yourself that if you get a job you'll only be 'in work' for around 7 months a year ...Imagine all the things you'll be able to do over the Summer hols etc that most people can only dream of.Oh yeah occassionally it can be rewarding Im told LOL.Keep the spirits up !

spurious

To be honest, sometimes teaching is like you describe.

You spend ages preparing something for a class and you may as well be talking to the wall.
You find a resource that you spent weeks tracking down, your own money buying, or a long time making, lying broken or ripped at the back of your class.
You spend years preparing a kid for an exam and they don't show up on the day to do it.
You work bloody hard day in day out and have to listen to your 'friends' making comments about how easy you have it.

Do I think it's worth it? Yes, but I'm well aware many don't.

clartharlear

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LQO wrote: »

I'm doing the PGDE at the moment, and am finding it a struggle. We're not getting much help in college with regard to how to teach the subjects, and I really feel like I've been thrown in the deep end with no clue as to what to do.

This is typical and totally normal.

At the moment I'm putting hours and hours of thought and planning into 40 minutes of a lesson that the kids don't even really care about, and it's a lot of work for very little reward.

This is more or less how it's supposed to be, especially in the start of the PGDE. Don't forget to spend hours evaluating and reflecting on that 40 minute lesson too.

I know it's a competitive course to get into, and I feel ungrateful for asking, but is it worth continuing with it? Does life as a teacher get any easier as time goes on? Or maybe I'm just not suited to the job?

Yes, and no. Some things get easier, but if you care, you'll probably keep challenging yourself to improve. It's easier to handle the work load, and the stress and the ungrateful students and the ignorant gen. pop. when you remind yourself how bloody brilliant a job it is too and how you could never be happier than when engaging young minds with a subject you love.

I hope you see this as some way reassuring!

eager tortoise

LQO wrote: »

I'm doing the PGDE at the moment, and am finding it a struggle. We're not getting much help in college with regard to how to teach the subjects, and I really feel like I've been thrown in the deep end with no clue as to what to do.

At the moment I'm putting hours and hours of thought and planning into 40 minutes of a lesson that the kids don't even really care about, and it's a lot of work for very little reward.

I know it's a competitive course to get into, and I feel ungrateful for asking, but is it worth continuing with it? Does life as a teacher get any easier as time goes on? Or maybe I'm just not suited to the job?

I did the PGDE last year and it is a lot of hard graft and I can definitely empathise! You do feel like it is sink or swim for the first while, but it is only October and in time you will start to get into the swing of things, get to know your students and colleagues in school a little better and that all helps to relax you.
What are your co-operating teachers like? Mine were fantastic and gave me a lot of help and guidance but I knew plenty of people on the course whose co-op teachers left them to their own devices. If yours are in any way approachable I would start there, maybe just even by having a casual conversation like "oh I was thinking of doing a class on such and such next week and I thought I might try this...".
Last year I genuinely could not envisage a time when I would not be spending hours the night before being in school putting lesson plans together. But its like anything I suppose and the more you do it the more adept you become at it
Don't despair! I really think its worth hanging on in there as you learn so much on the PGDE that you'll be surprised how you'll come on over the year.

trebormurf

LQO wrote: »

I'm doing the PGDE at the moment, and am finding it a struggle. We're not getting much help in college with regard to how to teach the subjects, and I really feel like I've been thrown in the deep end with no clue as to what to do.

At the moment I'm putting hours and hours of thought and planning into 40 minutes of a lesson that the kids don't even really care about, and it's a lot of work for very little reward.

I know it's a competitive course to get into, and I feel ungrateful for asking, but is it worth continuing with it? Does life as a teacher get any easier as time goes on? Or maybe I'm just not suited to the job?

What you've stated in your post is exactly what your tutor/supervisor wants to see in your reflection/appraisals, in fact they actually love that kinda stuff. You should be struggling, finding it hard and wondering is it worth it at the moment. Its only October!!
The PGDE is a very tough year, especially at the beginning when you are thrown in at the deep end but the test is to see if you will sink or swim. Your tutorial sessions and your reflections are key to this. In your reflections describe what you are finding difficult, how you are dealing with it and if your solution worked. If your solution didn't work, suggest an alternative method that you are going to try next time. The tutor/supervisor will lap it up believe me. After Christmas you should be solving problems before they even appear and your supervisor will be telling you how far you've come since those dark days in October/November!!

Síle28

I'm doing the PGDE now too, it is SO busy and I don't have a minute to myself almost all week long as I'm lucky to be at a school that also has lessons on Saturdays yipee :rolleyes:
But don't give up, it can only get better, the time will fly, try to stick it out til Xmas and we're almost halfway by then! Don't be so hard on yourself, we are all in the same boat and of course it will be easier once we are more used to it, we'll start to get ideas for lessons faster and if we manage to get a job next year there will be none of these hours of planning, sure we'll have heaps of it done ready for use waiting in our lesson plan folders from this year Much too early to quit