Throughout my 5 years in teaching I have found gaining stability employment is incredibly difficult. Fixed term contracts being cut off around about exam time or before timetable change, some contracts only lasting a few months and then hoonf there will be enough supply work to fill in the gaps. I am now in a position where I have applied to over 200 jobs since February 2022 and still have no permanent position despite my range of experience and being told I interview really well.
As someone who sadly became unwell from covid and developed life long chronic conditions as a result this has made my own situation even more difficult. I have had to take time off due to these conditions which makes me seem like an unreliable person, which has caused additional stress to me. Having been recently married but having no stability has meant that my husband and I are unable to move forward in certain aspects of our lives such as being able to buy a house, worrying about finances when off work and even having to be extra cautious in what we do outside of work because we don't have the budgets to spend on lots of days out. I am now looking at roles outwith teaching to get some financial and work stability that will reduce my stress ans hopefully make managing my chronic illnesses easier allowing me more opportunities to enjoy life. For me the opportunity of greater stability in work would change so much about my professional and personal life. I would finally get to see pupils go from s1-s6 and find out what their positive destinations after school are. I would be able to reduce financial stress and worry and focus on things that benefit my physical and mental health without the constant nagging feeling of how much can I spend this month without having to scrape by. I would know that even if I become unwell I wouldn't be losing out on pay as it would be a foxed income. The reduction in the stress of uncertainty would also allow me to develop more at my job as I would have time to fully get involved in a school and the community without the prospect of it being cut off abruptly.
Shared anonymously with the contributor’s consent and reviewed by the campaign. Light edits may have been made for readability and to remove identifying details.
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