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As many of you know, my wife is a teacher. She has worked every single day of this pandemic. She’s also worked every single evening and weekend - responding to worried emails and calls from parents, working on the logistics of the latest last-minute government announcement, 1/
Working on timetables for bubbles, planning both online and classroom lessons for pupils, replanning everything when colleagues have been told to self-isolate, dealing with absences when bubbles have been asked to do the same. 2/
All this above and beyond actually teaching. Every day, she’s risked her own health in a school of around 2,000 pupils, none of whom can properly social distance because the school buildings simply don’t allow for it. She has had no PPE protection, masks aren’t worn. 3/
Most parents have been supportive. Many haven’t. She’s exhausted, worried about bringing the virus home, and regularly hears criticism from the public about how teachers are “lazy” and “moaning” about schools being open. 4/
All this, while pulling 60hr weeks to help ensure her school functions as best they can, and stays open at the government’s insistence.
Her email and mobile are contacted nearly 24hrs a day. There is no respite from it. 5/
Her email and mobile are contacted nearly 24hrs a day. There is no respite from it. 5/
So if I’m angry when people suggest teachers should “go on strike” or “close the schools”, that’s why. The decision to close the schools isn’t theirs to make. If she strikes, she doesn’t get paid and could lose her job. 6/
Teachers are on the front line, with no protection, risking everything and working longer hours than most.
So if you come on here with ignorant criticism and stupid suggestions, I WILL give you both barrels.
And until you’re striking, you have no place to demand they do.
Ends.
So if you come on here with ignorant criticism and stupid suggestions, I WILL give you both barrels.
And until you’re striking, you have no place to demand they do.
Ends.
