Official word on teacher rate at the Swan/Dolphin [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

glo

07-17-2003, 09:53 AM

Teacher rate is offered to working teachers, you must bring in proof, as in a pay stub, school ID, or employment letter on official school letterhead. The discount right now is split, the teacher discount at the newly renovated Swan is $144 a night, and $129 a night at the Dolphin. I am sure the Dolphin rate will go up when it is fully renovated.

#1hockeymom

07-17-2003, 10:35 AM

Thank you Glo for giving us the good news! I am very glad that the Swan/Dolphin isn't planning to phase out their nurse/teacher discount. It was very nice to get recognition and a great rate. This is a vacation perk we can really use during our high-season-only vacation times!

Debbie

ozziewags

07-17-2003, 01:21 PM

Thanks Glo, for the wonderful news. The teacher rate is the reason we were able to go at Christmas last year.

Dallas_Lady

07-17-2003, 04:45 PM

That's good to hear. This fall is my first year as a teacher and I was lookign forward to getting the teacher rate for our next June Disney trip :D

KIS

07-17-2003, 06:56 PM

glo,

That is great news. How smart you were to go start to the decision-makers and inquire.

Thanks.

KIS

Kitty 34

07-17-2003, 07:21 PM

Great news, Glo!!! Thank you for finding the "official" answer on this. Now I don't have to try and decide on another resort for next June! Phew!:D

Wonder when the Dolphin renovations will be finished.........possibly June 11th???:smooth:

Kitty 34

07-18-2003, 09:40 AM

This info is worth a bump from Page Two!!;) :D

glo

07-18-2003, 10:35 AM

Kitty renovations at the Dolphin are due to be completed in the first quarter of 2004 :)

pooh2001

07-18-2003, 01:12 PM

My DH is a College Prof.
He absolutley loves the Dolphin. :)

We plan our next magical adventure Easter week
2005. Hey school vacations is the only time
he can go. :teeth:

We'll pay the extra $$'s to try one of those
Heavenly Beds, new furniture and carpets.

Glad to hear the teacher rates are here to stay and the
Dolpin renovations will be complete for 2005.

Maybe our DS & DD (ages 13 & 10) will fall asleep fast
together in the same Heavenly Beds without any
fussing. ;)

bfeller

07-19-2003, 12:22 AM

Do you know if the rate can be used by substitute teachers? I have a school id and I get a paycheck but the hours vary.

Kitty 34

07-19-2003, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by bfeller
Do you know if the rate can be used by substitute teachers? I have a school id and I get a paycheck but the hours vary.

I'm a substitute teacher and I will be going to the Dolphin for the 3rd time next June. I took my paystub and Subbing permit down with me. No problem.:D

bfeller

07-19-2003, 07:59 AM

Thank you for the information Kitty

Queen of My Castle

07-19-2003, 10:17 AM

If I brought a copy of my state certification would that work at check-in?

swilphil

07-19-2003, 10:47 AM

I was told by the Dolphin desk that I could bring a copy of my "degree." I asked if my teaching certificate would be okay, and they said yes. I ended up bring a pay stub, so you might call and ask.

mmiller711

07-19-2003, 11:06 AM

Will this discount apply for a teacher's aide? I know I don't have the teaching degree but I get paid way less too...I have a school dist. ID and a paystub (they will laugh if I show it to them). Just wondered what the qualifications were.

bfeller

07-19-2003, 02:30 PM

:bounce:

mrslane

07-19-2003, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by glo
Teacher rate is offered to working teachers, you must bring in proof, as in a pay stub, school ID, or employment letter on official school letterhead.

I booked in April and got $129 at the Swan, so if you are traveling next summer, Dreams Unlimited may offer that rate again instead of $144. Also, I was told to bring my current teaching certificate. I just showed it and was given the discount. I would not have made the trip had it not been for the discount. I think it is so thoughtful to help teachers!

I can't believe it is almost time to go back...

glo

07-19-2003, 03:29 PM

if you bring in your certification you should be ok. As a paraprofessional or teacher aide, just bring your school ID and a paycheck...and just show it.

The $144 is the new teacher's rate for the Swan which is newly renovated, when the Dolphin is done it will probably go up to that price too.

bradleysnana

07-19-2003, 04:36 PM

In Georgia, the pre-K teachers are in daycares. The state pays the daycare and the daycare pays the teacher. Therefore the pay stub is not from the county school system. How would that work? The one I am specifically asking about is Discovery Point Child Development Center would be the name on the paycheck. Wonder if that would be sufficient?

glo

07-19-2003, 05:46 PM

That should be ok, but I suggest you call them and ask if it sufficient.

mkymouse4ever

07-19-2003, 06:25 PM

Since I've only been reading about the teacher rate does that mean the "nurse" rate has already been dropped at the s/d?

Thanks, MKY (hoping I'm wrong) ;)

glo

07-19-2003, 07:03 PM

They have not eliminated the "nurses" discount either :)

mkymouse4ever

07-20-2003, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the information! Always looking for future reference. ;)

MKY :D

Tigger Woods

07-21-2003, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by hookedup
Our teachers work way too hard and get paid way too little..
From,
The wife of a third grade teacher
I don't disagree that most teachers work hard, and provide a valuable service to our communities, but I have trouble buying the 'get paid way too little' part. My sister in law is a PE teacher at a near-by high school. Thanks to her local union, she earns $65,000 per annum, has a fabulous retirement plan (funded by the state lottery), and works 8-1/2 months a year. Nice work, if you can get it.

KIS

07-21-2003, 02:42 PM

My husband is a high school teacher. He has worked every summer since I've known him (about 8 years) on curricula, expanding his scope of the fields in which he teaches -- the content material, in other worlds. He takes continuing education on teaching methods or discipline. During times there's a break, he often has exams and papers to grade and lessons to refine.

In fact, I wonder how he will fare with having only one evening before and most of one day upon our return from his spring break to prepare. I think odds are, he'll bring down his gradebook, students' work and his course outlines.

I don't think he is the exception among high school teachers from what I see. Yes, his pace is more leisurely in the summer, but he's not as free as you portray.

KIS

Mouseteacher

07-21-2003, 03:30 PM

Tigger Woods~ Wow - that is an excellent salary. In my area -we live about 10 miles north of Boston / a nice suburb of Boston- and in order to receive that level of salary you would be an administrator. I believe our highest paid teachers with many years (15-20+ years) of experience and a M.Ed would probably be in the high $40K to low $50K. No teacher would ever reach the $60K level to my knowledge.

ozziewags

07-21-2003, 03:38 PM

I really hate to get into debates like this.....mouseteacher is right. Although there are varying salaries of teachers around the country, depending on where you live, most of us don't make anything close to $65,000 after 20 years of exp. or whatever. One would have to be an administrator. I have only one thing to add: if it weren't for teachers, there wouldn't be any other occupations!

Tigger Woods

07-21-2003, 03:57 PM

Don't get me wrong, I'm not deriding the teaching profession at all. In fact, it's just the opposite. For years, teachers were portrayed as mousy spinsters earning low wages. I'm just saying, under the right circumstances, teaching can be a good gig. My sister in law has been a teacher for 21 years. She heads up the PE Dept. The funny thing is, her husband has been a police detective for 23 years, and earns a $43,000 salary. One could certainly argue that he is underpaid.

Geoff_M

07-21-2003, 04:09 PM

Every now and then there's a flurry of questions, and debate, about qualifications needed for the "teacher's" discount. You'll hear "I'm a... Teacher's Aide, Student Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Home Daycare Provider (that offers educational instruction), Volunteer Asst. School Librarian, Class Parent, Teacher's Pet, etc." Your best bet is to call them and ask them directly. No official policy has been offered.

However, based on reports back from people that have called, here's the impression I've been given as to what they mean by "teacher". It's someone who's paid to be in charge of group of pupils on a regular basis and is charged with providing them educational instruction. But like I said, nobody here is the final arbitor... if you think you qualify then give them a call. That way we can avoid debating who's deserving and under-paid, and who isn't.

ww52

07-21-2003, 05:25 PM

I hate to add to this debate - and I worry that the thread will get locked. But I do feel that teacher salaries are highly variable depending on the area. In the Chicago suburbs for example, a $65,000 salary is very common; it is not unusual for a high school teacher with 20 years experience to make $100,000 or more. Grade school principals make in excess of $100,000. The pensions are excellent - far better than in the business world. And in addition, there is the "tenure thing", where it is very difficult to get fired without a ton of documentation (though it will happen if the enrollment is declining). Far more security than in the business world today.

And yet - those gains were too long in coming. I considered teaching long ago (in the 70s) and rejected it because the money was so low. In all honesty - I think the teachers in my area are being paid what they're worth (not more or less) and other areas of the country have not gotten there yet. (If I have an objection, it's tenure - where non-performance carries little consequence; in business non-performance gets you a 0% pay increase and eventually a stint on unemployement).

Of course the same is not true for Catholic school salaries - but that is a choice my wife made willingly and she enjoys her work tremendously.

I like the teacher / nurse / gov't employee discount since the point is recognizing people in community service - not necessaily making it easier to afford.

Mouseteacher

07-21-2003, 05:33 PM

ww52 ~ I, too, like your wife made the choice to be a Catholic educator - low salary and all. lol! I have never regretted my decision - 33 years later. So, I would never complain about my salary. I knew what I was getting into with my eyes wide open.
Thus, I truly appreciate the S/D teacher rate.

Tigger - I do agree about the police detective salary - it is low for someone who helps protect the people in his community. He, too, is providing invaluable community service.

KIS

07-21-2003, 06:04 PM

What do you mean by a locked thread? I'm fairly new to all this. Do you mean there's something wrong with this discussion? I'd like to know because I'm ignorant about it and don't want to inadvertantly misbehave.

KIS

Mouseteacher

07-21-2003, 06:13 PM

If a moderator feels that the posts are turning nasty or rude they will "lock" (can't post anymore) the thread. Or, if it turns into a debate, the mod will move this to the debate board.

BTW -- I just saw my post count --- I have broken 1000 posts!!! :bounce:

KIS

07-21-2003, 06:23 PM

Mouseteacher,

Thanks for the info. I'm usually courteous. I did not know about the no debating rule. I can certainly refrain from doing that, even if it's about defending my husband's honor (:

I am sorry if my message offended anybody.

KIS

Mouseteacher

07-21-2003, 06:38 PM

KIS~ I didn't find your post offensive or rude. I am with you on the nobility of your DH profession. :) I almost wrote more on my previous post to respond to another poster (not you) but quickly realized I was being defensive and prehaps sparking a debate. I agree with ozzie - "I hate getting in debates like this."

#1hockeymom

07-21-2003, 06:53 PM

You not only went over 1000 posts.. but your countdown is almost done!

I didn't know what to do with "that" post. I have been bothered about it since I read it, and was grumbling about it most of the day. I finally decided that I do have something most people don't. For my month and a half summer vacation, my ten hour work days, and my small paycheck I get to LOVE MY JOB! Not many people can say they love their job and you tend to find this a lot in the teaching profession! :) I thank God every day that my husband works in a different occupation which makes more money and I am able to do what I love to do.

I hope I didn't add more to the whole controversy. Suffice to say, The Swan/Dolphin teacher/nurse rate is a lovely gesture on their part. Thank you Swan and Dolphin!

Debbie

ozziewags

07-21-2003, 07:12 PM

Yea...hockeymom!

mouseteacher....congratulations on your 1000+ posts! A while back several of us lost our posts when the post counter mis-fired or something. I only lost about 3 or 4 hundred, but some lost 1000s! It may have been last summer? But, like hockeymom said, your counter is almost down and that is the most important!

Geoff_M

07-21-2003, 07:25 PM

...did not know about the no debating rule.There's no hard and fast "no debating" rule here. "Civil discourse" is allowed as long as it's on topic. But if it reaches an "Is too! Is not! Is too!" level or people start attacking others, then it will usually be "locked".

glo

07-21-2003, 07:31 PM

Hi guys...friendly neighborhood moderator saying hi! Had to keep out of this one as I am a Boston public school teacher. I get paid darn well, but I work in the poorest inner city section of the city and I get what others describe as combat pay. Let's get back to topic and enjoy the great discount offered to us and the nurses at this wonderful resort. :) :)

Mouseteacher

07-21-2003, 07:37 PM

Thanks, glo, for "reeling" us back on topic. And kudos again to S/D for recognizing teachers, nurses and gov't employees.

BTW, glo, a noble profession indeed - teaching in an inner city school. :) You and hockeymom certainly deserve accolades for all you do.

KIS

07-21-2003, 09:53 PM

Mouseteacher,

I'm glad someone pointed out to us how close you are to your vacation. Have a great time and thanks for all your help on these boards.

KIS

ww52

07-22-2003, 08:38 AM

Mouseteacher - let me also wish you a great trip.

And I'd like to thank everyone on the S/D threads for all the valuable information I've received over the past several weeks.

Mouseteacher

07-22-2003, 09:05 AM

KIS and ww52 ~ Thanks! :)

#1hockeymom

07-22-2003, 11:58 AM

Thank you Mouseteacher for the accolades! I think glo and I should compare notes one day! :)

Here is newest email from Dreams Unlimited, received 7/22/2003. This should quell a lot of the questions people are asking. While the links aren't going to work in my cut/paste, the email for Dreams Unlimited is shown in the email.

Dreams Unlimited Travel Inc. and the Walt Disney
World Swan and Dolphin Resorts are pleased to
announce they have expanded their current,
unbelievably low discounts to include nurses with
an LPN and education administrative staff!! These
awesome discounts must be booked through our
DreamsRES system located here.

LPNs you can now take advantage of the NURSE
discount and school and educational facility
administrative personnel can take advantage of the TEACHER discounts.

Of course, all of the current discounts still apply for Active and Retired Military
Personnel, Walt Disney World® Annual Pass holders, Entertainment Club Card
holders, Government Employees and Disney Club Card holders!!!

Uncertain if you are eligible for any of these great discounts? Write to us at
dreamsres@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com and we will be happy to answer any
questions you may have.

Have a great trip Mouseteacher!

Debbie