Story 72

Age: 25

Teaching Experience: 2-4 years

Contract Type: Casual Supply (through calls, emails, teacherbooker etc)

Being on supply has made paying my mortgage a terrifying stress for both myself and my partner as I am technically the higher earner (when I actually get work). I feel as if I am too scared to spend my own money as I have no idea when I will next get work. So far this year I haven’t managed to secure a single day of supply.The precarious nature of my teaching employment has made me stressed to the point of being physically sick and shaking with stress. It is destroying my mental health and leaving me unable to plan for the future.

This situation has made me feel like I have no value in society and I am at the lowest I have ever been. I wish I hadn’t wasted so many years of my life in this career as it has all been for nothing. I am so scared of losing work opportunities that I am unable to voice my own opinions within the teaching sphere in a public way. When I was previously on general supply in South Ayrshire (last year) I was pressured into doing unpaid parents evenings for classes I didn’t know, I was also pressured into going to various after school meetings that were, again, unpaid.

I did not want to lose my supply so I did not speak up and was therefore taken advantage of. After all this dedication I was dropped without warning when supply money ran out. I felt as if my loyalty and extra dedication to that school was not appreciated at all. If I could turn back the clock.

I would never have entered this profession. I would be a healthier and happier person for it.