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DMT

Jebus-Zeus wrote:
dmt has been used in rituals by native americans for 1000s of years, stay off my posts

<3

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

DocteurRalph wrote:
Also try to make a record that you reported any and all illegal activity. That may be hard but it is probably the most important thing especially if someone is seriously injured and they try to blame you.

I don't know about legality especially as an academy not a traditional school. The fact most teachers are unqualified would be a legal issue in a traditional school! But yes I will be keeping more records thankyou

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

I feel a lot more positive today. I will keep records of how often I feel I am left in a unsafe position. I will also continue to speak up and ask for epilepsy trained staff even if they do not provide I am showing I know what the correct safeguarding rules are.

I also need to continue to work on my own anxiety in these other situations, the students smell my fear and know they can get away with anything sometimes!

Here's my little teachers Instagram which keeps me motivated and moving forward in such a rewarding challenging and interesting job :) https://www.instagram.com/leadlovelearn/

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

twosocks wrote:
Legally it sounds like they have put you in a very high-risk situation. If something were to happen, however minor, would you be protected? Or would the school take the fall?
While it's an awesome opportunity for you starting out, I'm afraid the risk may be too high. Suppose something were to happen and it affected your future ability getting the same or a similar job?

The current normal staffing levels are a unqualified teacher (with both first aide and epilepsy training) me a permanent teaching assistant (epilepsy trained) and one agency staff member. I feel the kids are safe with us as the teacher is so amazing in all circumstances. It's when she is sick there's problems!
If somewhere were to happen and it was me 'in charge' it would be on my head first and the school secondarily.

Fingers crossed for no more staff shortages!!

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

Nixx wrote:
Im not sure if your in the UK but my mum is a teaching assistant too.

in their school there is 3 levels of assistant, level 3 can take classes unsupervised for a short time. Her school was constantly trying to make her do things above her paygrade. she 'can' do them, but wasnt paid to do it. so she refused as much as she could.

her school constantly pushes for people to do work above the paygrade. And there is so much wrong in that school there wouldnt be enough time to write it all.

Most of her kids did not have disabilities, but i would be greatly concerned that kids with epilepsy could be left alone when having a seizure. I guess you could do as you are told, plead ignorance, get your training and go. or report to higher members of staff ie the school board of governors about your concerns and see what is said.

Yes I am in the UK. I am the lowest of low pay grade :P but as i have already interviewed me for having my own class next year they like to tell me to 'step up' I don't mind taking classes and winging it to an extent although i am bitter about being paid the same as other TAs who don't 'step up'. I have worked in education for 3 months and it was a huge career change. The epileptic seizures are still very scary to me!

(shocking that working for disney i was on ยฃ37k with no stress or responsibilities and now i am on ยฃ14k and in charge of vulnerable young adults! i love my new job but the pay doesn't seem moral!)

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

PepperJ wrote:
I'm sorry to say that this type of thing is one small part of why I didn't remain in teaching. Saw too many rules broken and too many kids in danger. I reported things that I saw to various "higher ups" and even to my mentor professor. Nothing was ever done, and it truly was a shock to me to see how much of what went on was ignored and/or accepted.
I realize that the job in the classroom during the day to day is anything but "textbook," but it was so hard to see the real life deviations.

In hearing your story, it makes me realize/remember how common it is.

My advice: you are young; you see a lot more of the idealistic world without being completely jaded from age and experience. You have fight in you.... go as high as you can with training and education, use your position/education (though it may take some time) and BE THE CHANGE...

Thankyou for your honesty. I am still excited to move up to having a class of my own next year and have a lot of ideas and things i want to do/ change. :) some days i worry the lack of staffing will break me before i get there - but i want to give this a good go!

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

At the moment I am thinking get the funded training from this school do it in one year then get out as quick as possible! In the hope that there is a school somewhere that wouldn't leave me in that situation where I feel student safety is put at risk

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

So in the class I work in there was originally one unqualified teacher, one higher level teaching assistant and two teaching assistants (one being me) which totalled four staff all epilepsy trained one first aid trained. Nine students all about 17 and all with special needs most autistic, four with epilepsy.
The epilepsy training stated this was the correct staffing for a class with such high percentage of epilepsy.

When a student has a seizure we need one staff to stay directly with him timing and monitoring consciousness. One staff must leave to get emergency medication. One staff must be available to remove other students (remembering another student could have a seizure so more staff need to be found/ join another class) someone must be available to call the ambulance out if required.

They are saying it's okay just call for help. But calling would require leaving a student having a fit on the floor so seems a scary unrealistic idea :(

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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...

Nixx wrote:
Its a tricky situation.

My mum is going through something similar with her school. I think you have to stand your ground and insist that someone is with you, or talk to the union for advice if you joined it.

I am currently a teaching assistant so I shouldn't really have the responsibility of a class anyway :/
I should look into the union I have so far assumed I cannot afford it as my salary is so low

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DMT

Jebby baby <3

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