Feeling unsupported on placement (neurodivergence) whilst also expected to accommodate neurodivergent students
It’s a long story, but generally I feel like my placement experience hasn’t been ideal.
I have a more supportive tutor and mentor for this year but I’m recognising there’s a bit of irony in the way we are assessed - on the quality of our lesson planning and delivery, how we accommodate neurodivergent learners….
But for those of us who are trainee teachers, if we are neurodivergent and struggling, there’s not much accommodation made at all.
You’re expected and encouraged to just go with the flow of everyone else. If you struggle, the support provided feels rushed and surface-level.
Nobody has any time for a struggling trainee. I genuinely think some people would rather see us quietly drop out, than put in the extra effort to help us succeed.
It just doesn’t feel very humane or consistent, is all I’m trying to say.
Do they think neurodivergence disappears when we become adult employees, or something? …… If this is how neurodivergent adults are treated then I’m not feeling very optimistic about my students’ futures in the workplace.
Just needed to get this out of my system. I’m not sure if this is the right career for me after all, even though I like what I do for the students.
Edit: thanks everyone for the feedback. Obviously I have complicated and impassioned feelings about teaching. I adore making a difference to lives of students, it gives me so much purpose. But I also know that some professional environments just may not suit my way of processing the world.