What you notice about the teacher shortage for the classroom
What do you notice about the teacher shortage when you are in front of the class? We asked a teaching assistant who regularly stands independently in front of the class as a substitute, a group 8 teacher in Lelystad and a teacher of Dutch in secondary education.
'I'm learning new things at lightning speed'
Emine Polat (26), teaching assistant at obs de Toekomst in Amsterdam:
“Normally I support the teachers by working with small groups of students, mostly students who need extra help because they have a learning disability. Due to the teacher shortage, which we also have to deal with on a daily basis at our school, I regularly fill in for sick colleagues.
From the beginning of this school year I have been in the classroom independently for half days
In the five years that I have worked at this school, I have often taught independently. Unfortunately, that means that my work as a teaching assistant has been shelved. From the beginning of this school year I have been standing independently in front of the class at the upper years for half a day to relieve a long-term sick colleague. And since a few weeks I also stand independently for groups 3 and 4, because another colleague has fallen ill. That takes some getting used to, after five years of senior secondary education, because the middle secondary education is different. If only because the children are less independent. It's going well so far, although I notice from the reactions of some parents that they have to get used to me filling in for a few weeks. And I think that's very logical. The advantage for the children is that there is now at least a familiar person in front of the class, because they have seen me more often, instead of a different, unknown substitute. Another positive side of this situation is that I am learning new things at lightning speed, such as student discussions and lesson planning. Where possible, space is created for internal supervision, for example by experienced colleagues.
In addition, I do my best to find out everything myself. So far it's going well, but sometimes I'm unsure if I'm doing it the right way. The school management supports me where they can and I am compensated for teaching full time. I've really got a taste for it now and I'm planning to start with the teacher training after the summer holidays.”
'I didn't dare call in sick'
Stefan Hoornstra (28), master group 8, i.e. Tourmaline, Lelystad:
“This is the first year that I teach after completing my PABO studies in 2022. Because a good friend worked at this school and my current girlfriend also teaches here, I ended up here. I myself live in Zwolle, which is about an hour's journey by public transport from the school. I looked for a job in the middle or upper secondary school near my house, but strangely enough the teacher shortage in and around Zwolle is a lot less than in the Flevopolder.
I am still approached by an agency every two weeks via Linkedin
Every two weeks I am still approached by an agency via Linkedin for an open vacancy, and I honestly wonder whether that works positively for someone with such an intermediary. I would respond much sooner if I were approached by a school or school board itself. But I am not interested now because I am very satisfied with my job in this school.
Actually, I was supposed to fill in until the Christmas holidays, but that has been extended until the end of the school year. And I will most likely stay another year longer. The school is nice, the parents are friendly and the team of teachers is fun and close-knit. I especially noticed the latter last year when I didn't dare to call in sick, while I was standing in front of the class with a migraine, because the substitute pool was empty and I didn't want the children to fall behind. My colleagues then sent me home and took over my lessons. We are a young team that goes for it. For example, there is a trend that the majority would rather work full-time than part-time. I myself also teach five days a week. I like that, because you then have everything under control and you spend less time on administrative tasks to keep your duo-colleague informed.”
'I'm always short of time'
Laura Borghols (48), Dutch teacher at the Veurs Lyceum, Leidschendam: “Every week I receive at least one offer from a recruiter in my mailbox. That while I clearly indicated on my LinkedIn profile not to look for a new job. Especially if you have first-degree qualifications in a shortfall subject, such as Dutch, the agencies know where to find you. It particularly bothers me that this is the result of the failing system. That there is no room or money for obtaining a second qualification for teachers who want it and who can therefore be deployed more flexibly.
I was forced to teach all the upper classes - nine in total - myself
When someone dropped out in our Dutch section, a classical languages colleague took over the hours. A Greek colleague has also helped and now teaches Dutch a few hours a week. That is going perfectly so far, but it would be even better if she could obtain a second-degree qualification to make it a structural solution. Two years ago we still had three first-degree Dutch teachers, but because one colleague left for another school and the other dropped out sick, I was forced to teach all upper classes - nine in total - myself. After half a year that was no longer possible and I also half dropped out. And so a substitute was quickly hired, who was not quite up to the mark and from which we are now reaping the bitter benefits. The classes that were taught by the substitute last year are now taking exams and have clearly fallen behind. Fortunately, we now have another first-degree Dutch teacher and the current school management is very pleasant. The latter means that peace has come, and more importantly: that teachers enjoy working at this school and therefore do not leave. We should actually have another teacher in our section, so that there is time again to develop creative lessons or to chat with a student for an hour. I have missed that in recent years, because I am always short of time.”
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