Can't go during school year anymore :-(

[andyman8]

I am sure a grown women doesnt need some over zealous forum police to give her a "reality check". Anyone who has stated their personal feelings about their job or speaking about their work ethic are taking cheap shots. She didn't post here asking "what would you do if...?" she just expressed her disappointment in her situation. Stating obvious points about a job not being guaranteed and things like that do not change the facts. She chose to go on a vacation, she had been allowed to do it in the past and her boss did not say she couldn't go, he/she said only part of it would be paid so obviously it wasn't a huge issue from the schools perspective. Some people do not live in constant fear that our jobs are on the line, I for one know that I am doing my job better then pretty much anyone else in my company so I have no issues taking 4-6 weeks of vacation time a year regardless of how much of it is paid. Your situation is not everyones, not everyone lives for their jobs, some people understand a job is just a means to live a comfortable life and not worth placing above all else (PS I happen to like my job very much and am very good at what I do but at the end of the day I work to provide a comfortable life for my family). Piling on to someone on a public forum is lame. Also just an FYI, I took a look at the sigs of a lot of the posters so against her going during the school year and funny enough the majority of them had a trip planned after Sept (thus during the school year)......Interesting.

AMEN!

 

[sja03a]

A grown woman should also realize that when you post a topic, you're going to get a variety of responses. Posting on the Dis expecting everyone to take your side is unreasonable and illogical. And great for you that your job doesn't care. Apparently you don't teach...so your job does not impact the learning of multiple students during a critical time of the year. For the record, I do vacation more often in September. But I already mentioned that my children are not yet old enough to be in school...nor does my husband taking off time from his job impact the company in September. It would be a different story if we took off during Black Friday (and the entire Thanksgiving weekend), or the week of Christmas, and as a result, we don't do that. And that is the point...don't assume that we're somehow hypocrites because some of us take off in September. There are reasons why people can't vacation during certain times, and so we opt for something that DOES work for us. Many of us also don't book and pay for a vacation that has not yet been approved. Getting mad at us because we're pointing that out is, in your words, lame.

Incorrect, I train medical professionals (Dr's, Nurses, NP's and PA's) how to properly utilize Electronic Medical Records software and how to implement it sucessfully into their practice/hospital system. I am not a "teacher" in the traditional sense but for the 4000 medical professions I have trained I think they may disagree that my contributions are unimportant. Must be fun up there on your high horse.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am sure a grown women doesnt need some over zealous forum police to give her a "reality check". Anyone who has stated their personal feelings about their job or speaking about their work ethic are taking cheap shots. She didn't post here asking "what would you do if...?" she just expressed her disappointment in her situation

And once you post anything on a public forum, you open the topic up to all opinions.

If you want a sympathetic ear, you go to your best friend or your mom. The OP instead, or possibly in addition, vented here - where quite naturally she is going to get a wide variety of viewpoints.

It's clear that you empathize with her. Nobody's telling you not to care. It would be appreciated if you would stop telling others what not to post.

She chose to go on a vacation, she had been allowed to do it in the past and her boss did not say she couldn't go, he/she said only part of it would be paid so obviously it wasn't a huge issue from the schools perspective.

Once. Further into the school year than this trip. It is a big deal; as the OP/others have indicated, the principal was, if not being passive-aggressive, at least bargaining: first making the approval so negative that the OP might cancel her request, then making the approval conditional that the OP plan no more trips during the understood "blackout period": the days school is in session.

Also just an FYI, I took a look at the sigs of a lot of the posters so against her going during the school year and funny enough the majority of them had a trip planned after Sept (thus during the school year)......Interesting.

I don't know the other posters in this thread... but there are numerous possibilities:
Like the PP, their children are too young for school
They homeschool and take the students with them
Kids aren't going
No school-age children (older)
No children, period
Year-round school/other school break
Yes, they're taking the kids out of school

 

[Allison]

I am sure a grown women doesnt need some over zealous forum police to give her a "reality check". Anyone who has stated their personal feelings about their job or speaking about their work ethic are taking cheap shots. She didn't post here asking "what would you do if...?" she just expressed her disappointment in her situation. Stating obvious points about a job not being guaranteed and things like that do not change the facts. She chose to go on a vacation, she had been allowed to do it in the past and her boss did not say she couldn't go, he/she said only part of it would be paid so obviously it wasn't a huge issue from the schools perspective. Some people do not live in constant fear that our jobs are on the line, I for one know that I am doing my job better then pretty much anyone else in my company so I have no issues taking 4-6 weeks of vacation time a year regardless of how much of it is paid. Your situation is not everyones, not everyone lives for their jobs, some people understand a job is just a means to live a comfortable life and not worth placing above all else (PS I happen to like my job very much and am very good at what I do but at the end of the day I work to provide a comfortable life for my family). Piling on to someone on a public forum is lame. Also just an FYI, I took a look at the sigs of a lot of the posters so against her going during the school year and funny enough the majority of them had a trip planned after Sept (thus during the school year)......Interesting.

You are also being the "forum police" as you call other posters and are doing the same thing you accuse others of doing.

If someone has violated forum rules go ahead and notify a moderator.

 

[Dopey420]

OP is in the wrong line of work. Anyone who thinks that students get anything done when a substitute teacher is teaching has forgotten how kids act with a sub. Even the good kids act bad!!!

And OP is very dramatic. "I felt like I had been cheated on!"

Oh brother!

 

[sja03a]

You are also being the "forum police" as you call other posters and are doing the same thing you accuse others of doing.

If someone has violated forum rules go ahead and notify a moderator.

Sorry, standing up for someone getting bullied by the self righteous is not hypocritical. So many people piling on, she wasnt looking for a debate like some of the topics that routinely come up here, she was simply stating her situation and her displeasure about the outcome. I wouldn't have even chimed in had the mob not started saying things like"I care to much about my students to do that" and "your lucky you even have a job" plus many other very pointed comments that were uncalled for.
EDIT: see above posters comments as an example of why I threw my 2 cents in.

 

[mking624]

Sorry, standing up for someone getting bullied by the self righteous is not hypocritical. So many people piling on, she wasnt looking for a debate like some of the topics that routinely come up here, she was simply stating her situation and her displeasure about the outcome. I wouldn't have even chimed in had the mob not started saying things like"I care to much about my students to do that" and "your lucky you even have a job" plus many other very pointed comments that were uncalled for.

I would consider trying to silence an opposing opinion to more "bullying" than those who are saying that her time off request was irresponsible. If you don't want someone with a different point of view, don't post on the Dis. Because as I stated, expecting everyone here to be on your side is unreasonable and illogical.

 

[andyman8]

Anyone who thinks that students get anything done when a substitute teacher is teaching has forgotten how kids act with a sub. Even the good kids act bad!!!

I have to respectfully disagree with that.

 

[Allison]

Sorry, standing up for someone getting bullied by the self righteous is not hypocritical. So many people piling on, she wasnt looking for a debate like some of the topics that routinely come up here, she was simply stating her situation and her displeasure about the outcome. I wouldn't have even chimed in had the mob not started saying things like"I care to much about my students to do that" and "your lucky you even have a job" plus many other very pointed comments that were uncalled for.
EDIT: see above posters comments as an example of why I threw my 2 cents in.

Once again on the DIS the word bullying is overused. No one is being bullied and yes I would call it hypocrisy.

 

[JCH]

OP is in the wrong line of work. Anyone who thinks that students get anything done when a substitute teacher is teaching has forgotten how kids act with a sub. Even the good kids act bad!!!

And OP is very dramatic. "I felt like I had been cheated on!"

Oh brother!

It really depends on the sub. Some are retired teachers or aspiring teachers who want an actual lesson plan. Others do absolutely nothing, so you just hope they remember to press play or pass out the work packet. Yes, I've had subs not even pass out the packet of work clearly labeled for the day, but leave me a note on top of them.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would consider trying to silence an opposing opinion to more "bullying" than those who are saying that her time off request was irresponsible. If you don't want someone with a different point of view, don't post on the Dis. Because as I stated, expecting everyone here to be on your side is unreasonable and illogical.

No matter what you post, someone will have an opposing view. No matter what you post!! If all you are looking for is "There there dear" and a hand-pat, then you are in the wrong place. Everyone here has an opinion.

 

[Sphinx610]

I am sure a grown women doesnt need some over zealous forum police to give her a "reality check".

Then why vent here? You know everyone is not going to agree with you. Why not just put it on Facebook where all your friends will go "oh poor you"?

She didn't post here asking "what would you do if...?" she just expressed her disappointment in her situation.

And in doing so, she is seeking sympathy and some of us can't really empathize.

Also just an FYI, I took a look at the sigs of a lot of the posters so against her going during the school year and funny enough the majority of them had a trip planned after Sept (thus during the school year)......Interesting.

Yes, we are going during the school year-over THanksgiving- While my son has the whole week off. And yes, the crowds will be crazy and it is a bit pricier, but that is what was best for my son educationally. However, even if we were going during classes, his being absent from class isn't affecting the other kids.

People are annoyed with OP bc it doesn't appear that she is taking into consideration what is best for her students and her school by taking such a lengthy vaca while school is in session. No matter how much you plan, being off that long is not good for her students. Especially in Sept when you are dealing with kids who have not yet established a routine. They are just getting used to her and then they will be getting used to the sub and then they get her again. I know it would throw my kid for a loop.

I'm not saying she shouldn't get vacation time at all and I'm not saying that stuff doesn't happen where she might need to take 2-3 days off, but to purposely plan to have all that time away from your classroom in a chunk is alot. I know teachers have a tough job and I have a lot of respect for teachers. But taking that much time off just to beat some crowds at disney? Meh...

 

[Sphinx610]

No matter what you post, someone will have an opposing view. No matter what you post!! If all you are looking for is "There there dear" and a hand-pat, then you are in the wrong place. Everyone here has an opinion.

This is so true. You could say:
"I love Minnie Mouse"
and someone else might say
"Oh Minnie is SO annoying"
"I hate how she wears pink now and used to wear red... ugh..." lol

I know that's silly, but seriously, opinions are like...... everybody's got one!!!

 

[andyman8]

And in doing so, she is seeking sympathy and some of us can't really empathize.

But is there not a difference between not empathizing and completely ragging on someone? Sometimes I think people forget that there is someone behind the original post.

 

[Sphinx610]

Thats true. I don't believe I was personally ragging on her... IDK Just posting my opinion. I simply don't empathize.

 

[andyman8]

Thats true. I don't believe I was personally ragging on her... IDK Just posting my opinion. I simply don't empathize.

No, I didn't mean you, personally. Just a small (extreme minority) of posters are being a bit harsh. That's all, and yes I'm the unofficial "forum police."

 

[Sphinx610]

No, I didn't mean you, personally. Just a small (extreme minority) of posters are being a bit harsh. That's all, and yes I'm the unofficial "forum police."

lol

 

[juliebug1997]

I am sure a grown women doesnt need some over zealous forum police to give her a "reality check". Anyone who has stated their personal feelings about their job or speaking about their work ethic are taking cheap shots. She didn't post here asking "what would you do if...?" she just expressed her disappointment in her situation. Stating obvious points about a job not being guaranteed and things like that do not change the facts. She chose to go on a vacation, she had been allowed to do it in the past and her boss did not say she couldn't go, he/she said only part of it would be paid so obviously it wasn't a huge issue from the schools perspective. Some people do not live in constant fear that our jobs are on the line, I for one know that I am doing my job better then pretty much anyone else in my company so I have no issues taking 4-6 weeks of vacation time a year regardless of how much of it is paid. Your situation is not everyones, not everyone lives for their jobs, some people understand a job is just a means to live a comfortable life and not worth placing above all else (PS I happen to like my job very much and am very good at what I do but at the end of the day I work to provide a comfortable life for my family). Piling on to someone on a public forum is lame. Also just an FYI, I took a look at the sigs of a lot of the posters so against her going during the school year and funny enough the majority of them had a trip planned after Sept (thus during the school year)......Interesting.

And what do you call what you're doing by criticizing those of us who think that she was wrong? Pot, kettle?

 

[ShhhQ]

So, last year we went the last week of October. I'm a teacher, so during the summer, when we finalized our plans, I emailed my principal and asked for the days off. We get 10 days and I used 7 of them for the trip. Approved, no issue.

This year, same thing. I even started telling her back in May that we were going in September. I must have mentioned it 6 or 7 times between May and when I put in the request. (can't put it in until the school year starts)

After two weeks, I email her asking if she had it. She called me in to her office and said she could only approve 3 days, and that the rest would be unexcused and I would be docked for them. "I really need you in the classroom that's the best I can do."

I was floored. Complete and utter shock. We are talking $1300 out of my paycheck, when she has the authority to approve all of them. I reminded her she approved them all last year, and she said, "but that was a last minute thing". Ummm, NOT. Last minute isn't even in my vocabulary. So I looked at her and said, "So my choices are to not go, and lose the $3500 I've already paid for my trip, or go and get $1300 taken out of my paycheck." She said, "You can go on the trip with 3 excused days." I said okay and walked out.

It had nothing to do with my work performance. I got excellent reviews last year, and do many things outside my job. I am the computer teacher, and I also manage the Facebook page, the website, and any technical issues that come up when the technician isn't there. To say I work my booty off is an understatement.

I spent the day feeling like I had been hit by an emotional truck. Almost like I had been cheated on.

At the end of the day, she walked in and asked me if this would be the last time we go during the school year. I said yes and she said all my days this year would be approved and excused.

There's my long story.

Now I have to figure out next year's trip where the crowds aren't 9s and 10s. Looks like mid June is my only option.

I am so going to miss the 2 and 3 crowd levels.

Not gonna debate about whether or not op should take time off during school year or not... everyone has their own opinions and have seen way too many of that already... BUT there is one thing that just keeps nagging me as I read this entire thread.... Ok if OP was going for 7 days and only 3 would be approved... with the remaining 4 being docked from her paycheck.... That would be a hit of $1300?!?!??? WOW!!! I thought teachers were a poorly paid profession.... Maybe to some people that isn't much... but to me!! I am lucky if I make $1300 in a full months time!

Not ragging on anyone, but that just hit me like a ton of bricks!!!!

 

[JCH]

Not gonna debate about whether or not op should take time off during school year or not... everyone has their own opinions and have seen way too many of that already... BUT there is one thing that just keeps nagging me as I read this entire thread.... Ok if OP was going for 7 days and only 3 would be approved... with the remaining 4 being docked from her paycheck.... That would be a hit of $1300?!?!??? WOW!!! I thought teachers were a poorly paid profession.... Maybe to some people that isn't much... but to me!! I am lucky if I make $1300 in a full months time!

Not ragging on anyone, but that just hit me like a ton of bricks!!!!

I thought the same thing, bit didn't want to post it for fear or being called a bully. I'm a fifth year teacher and that's more than two weeks pay for me...even if you factor in taxes, what's taken out for retirement/insurance, and the bit set aside for summer, 4 days is less than half what she says she would be losing in take home pay. An average teacher's salary is bout 40,000 a year, which doesn't equate to anywhere near 325 dollars a day...that's almost 45 dollars an hour...

If she is making that much, it's an anomaly. I hate when those teachers post their salaries as it makes everyone think ALL teachers are overpaid.