St Angela’s College is a mentally demanding place at the best of times; however, during placement, the stress and pressure the college SP requirements put on young PME teachers are unfair and compared to those training in other initial teacher training colleges it is unjust. Every year while out on school placement we meet other teachers and PME students who are appalled, to say the least at our college criteria. Lesson plans and other additional paperwork such as excessive observations and reflections are a huge problem that students have tried to change over the years; the issue has been put forward to the college several times via module evaluation forms yet nothing has changed. The college expectation as per student handbook is about 7-10 page lesson plans for one class. Often students are then told during inspection that their lesson plans need even more detail and the criteria increases as every year goes on. The difference of the criteria St. Angela's student teachers face in comparison to other student teachers from different accrediting Universities is shocking. (For example, Lesson Plans for those in DCU are just two pages).

Why should we as Home Economics teachers have to withstand this unfair difference considering that, at the end of the day all teachers get paid the same and have the same job despite the University they attend.

The only motivation to go through these lesson plans is to pass placement, as there is a huge fail rate, especially within the Irish elective. While students understand the importance of planning their lessons, a lesson plan with much less detail would be far more useful, especially since our schemes of work are submitted in advance to the school placement office.  These wasted hours spent on long-winded lesson plans could be spent investing more time into creating resources, preparing active learning methodologies for the class and even researching the assignments that are due within days after completing the placement.

School Placement is a mentally draining process for BA/PME students. The college comically attempts to promote the notion of wellbeing by advising us during lectures to ‘get enough sleep’ or to ‘exercise regularly’ however despite wanting to do this the sad reality is that students are up until 2/3 am trying to create unrealistic lesson plans to impress a particular tutor.

If those hours were spent resting after a full day in school or doing leisure activity as they suggest, we would be deemed underprepared the next day as per college criteria.

It is time for change. This unjust stress has been put on home economics student teachers for far too long. It’s unacceptable the college can inflict this immense pressure and stress to students.

Placement shouldn’t be a horrible experience that students dread all year. It should be a positive reflection on what we have learned. But unfortunately, in St. Angela’s, the former is the case. Please sign for change. 

Also can everyone please confirm their email or else their signature won’t be counted. 
Thank you so much for all your support so far.