amberzak Report post Posted March 24, 2013 I know some of you made comments on my post when I said should I quit. Well, now I think I'm failing. I'm not good enough. And all of it is because of my Aspergers. So, I just don't have the energy to fight any more. I'm done. I'm not doing it if this is what teaching is all about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matzoball Report post Posted March 24, 2013 I'm really sorry to hear you are are having a hard time right now, but you can't give up. What you need to do is talk to your lecturers, and also talk to student services who can help you identify the problem areas and work on them. There are a lot of people who have degrees and careers who are on the spectrum. So don't give up. From what you are saying it's more your confidence rather than your disability. That's what you need to work on xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amberzak Report post Posted March 24, 2013 It's specifically teaching in the secondary school I am struggling with. And I am all out of fight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matzoball Report post Posted March 24, 2013 Well, you need to talk to your lecturers about this - that's what they are there for. Honestly, they won't see it as you failing or anything like that, they will see it as you being able to recognise that you need help and being able to ask for it. Please don't think you are on your own in this, we all have our dark moments but what makes the difference is being able to talk to people about it, and get advice. You just need to take that step and talk to them about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amberzak Report post Posted March 24, 2013 I have been talking to them about it. They are the ones who have told me I'm failing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matzoball Report post Posted March 24, 2013 I think you are perhaps taking it the wrong way - they aren't calling you a failure. What you need to do is ask them what you can do to get back on track. You also need to speak to student services - this kind of thing is EXACTLY what they are there for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amberzak Report post Posted March 24, 2013 I'm in placement all the time, so not actually in University. My university tutor, though, who I trust completely, said that maybe this route into teaching isn't for me. I think that the system doesn't allow for people like me to teach. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lyndalou Report post Posted March 25, 2013 Do you have to go into secondary teaching after this? What about adult education or Special Ed teaching? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted March 26, 2013 You sound really stressed out, and possibly depressed. Have you been to see the GP? If you like teaching, there are other age groups, or specialisms in teaching. Does all teacher training have to involve secondary schools. Teenagers scare the pants off most people. They can be brilliant one minute and impossible the next. Try not to panic. Speak with student support and your lecturers on the course you are on. If this really is not working for you, then there maybe another route to take to something that is still teaching. I was on a degree course, and I failed my placement in my second year. I had an awful person as my mentor whilst on placement, who I partly blame for my failure - but ultimately I had to take the responsibility myself too for the failure. But I did fail, and I know how awful that feels. But it is not the end of the world. My lecturers did want me to retake the placement. But, whilst on the placement, I discovered that there were aspects of the job in the NHS that I did not agree with and did not like. Also the criteria changed ie. I had always wanted to work part-time, and that changed to everyone having to work full-time once qualified, and having to move around different disciplines that I simply did not want to do. So the goal posts had moved since I began the course. Even if it turns out that what you were pursuing is not for you, that is a valuable lesson. What are you being told is the reason you are failing, or likely to fail on this placement? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alexon Report post Posted March 28, 2013 (edited) hi, keep your chin up. as a previously very successful secondary teacher, i can guarantee that people with Aspergers can be excellent teachers. In my experience there is a lot, too much wishy washy requirements as a student teacher. Please ask your "regent" if you have one on placement, or if not, the person at school who is responsible for you, exactly what is required for you to pass the placement, and what is it that you have to change. I might also consider asking for your placement to be changed school, so you get a fresh start somewhere else. you are going to be on holiday now for a few days, this gives you some time to focuse your mind and your ideas. If you want to message me, hopefully you will get something positive from it. best wishes, alexon Edited March 28, 2013 by matzoball requesting personal contact information. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Concernedmammy Report post Posted March 30, 2013 Hi, Sorry to hear that you're feeling frustrated and low. I don't have ASD but my little boy does. I'm writing from the teaching perspective - I really found doing my teacher training difficult. Surely it should be a challenge as it's a big responsibility to educate children? My son was only small when I went back to University to do it, so I had my own reasons for finding the course difficult to cope with. Having a lack of self-confidence is really crippling, whether you are on the spectrum or not. I hope you're getting the support you need from your lecturers, as this part of their role. Maybe you need some extra 'tools' to cope with the classroom management, which in turn will make you feel more confident. I'm a Post 16's lecturer and I have worked in Secondary too which I found to be really difficult. Maybe a move into Adult Education would suit your personality more? Students are there because they want to learn and you don't generally have too many behavioural issues to deal with. If you can dig deep, ask for help, and keep on going, if not take some time out - I bet you could repeat a year if you take a break and look at ways to boost your confidence. If you decide that teaching isn't for you, then that's okay too - you can be whatever you want to be and there's no pressure apart from that from yourself. Good Luck - I'm sure you'll be amazing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amberzak Report post Posted March 31, 2013 Thanks everyone. I left. I'm creating another thread to explain because it involves a death in the family. Sorry to have let everyone down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lyndalou Report post Posted April 1, 2013 You've let no-one down at all. You've just done what you think is best for you and that is actually taking control of the situation and is not failure. <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted April 1, 2013 Take some time out to think about what you want to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites