Ok for your child's teacher to be out for a week to go to WDW?

[frstimer128]

I've subbed before and the teachers left me detailed lesson plans and class moved along very smooth. The kids liked having a different teacher in. As long as the teacher has a good sub and leaves enough work and lessons, I think it is fine.
A lot of times the spouses or partners of these teachers can't get the same vacations so they have to make a choice.

As far as the kids taking vacations, I think that if the parents give enough notice to the teacher, he/she can put a homework packet toghether for their student. It does take a lot of extra time on the teacher's end to put together a weeks worth of homework for a student, so if you plan on taking your child out, it would be greatly appreciated by the teacher if you gave plenty of notice!

My friend always makes her son keep a detailed journal of his vacation in addition to the homework he is assigned.

 

[Threehearts]

As far as kids learning nothing and running amok with substitutes-

My son's fairly young, first grade teacher got uterine cancer this year and died in the late winter. To make matters worse, my son's dear friend in the class had a Mom diagnosed with lymphatic cancer. This little boy spent many nights with us from late Fall until his Mom died just after New Year's. This very distressed class had a substitute teacher from early Fall until the end of the year. Since this teacher did not plan on taking on a classroom full-time, she did have blocks when she was not there and several other subs came in. At the end of the year, our class with the substitute has some of the best scores in the state and did better than the other first grade class with the regular teacher. I had nominated my son's assigned teacher for the Disney Hand award for excellence in teaching. She died before the process could be completed. What a huge loss. If a teacher wants a week off to go to WDW, I'd wish her well and take some extra work home for my child if necessary. Just my thoughts... Threehearts

 

[Daxx]

Thank you to the posters who feel that teachers deserve vacations, too.

To those of you who think teachers have it so great b/c we have the summers off ... yeah, right. I wish.

I have to attend a week long school related seminar during my summer vacation. I do not get paid for the time spent. It is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, to learn how to teach your kids more creatively than I do now. So, that is a full week w/o pay where I am preparing to be a better teacher. And, a full week of my time not compensated. And, a sitter to pay to watch my child while I learn how to be a better teacher w/o getting paid to do so. Oh, and there are after school seminars I have to attend as well. No pay for those, either. I won't forget the monthly Home School Association meetings (which have nothing to do w/the teachers) that are mandatory and unpaid.

I do not get paid for teacher in-service, parent/teacher conference (which usually runs well past my school day) and I do not get paid for all the time I put into class preparation outside the classroom. I am paid only for the time the students are in school -- even though I have to be in a half hour before the students and stay a half hour after they've left.

I do not get paid over the summer, for school holidays or for vacation days, should I choose to take any. If I take vacation time, my salary is adjusted so I don't get paid for those days. My school is too small to offer the "take more out of my paycheck so I can receive summer checks" program.

Do you think I'm really kicking back and relaxing during Winter and Spring breaks? No ... I'm doing lesson plans and finding fun classroom activities for my students. Being a Kindergarten teacher, I usually have a lot of tracing to do, too, for all those cute things the kiddies bring home. I could do this in school, after hours, but I'd rather spend the time w/my child and plan at night when he's asleep. Still, no pay for all that time put in.

Oh, you know those cool things that the kids bring home? The cute things they make for you for Christmas and Mother's Day and every other holiday in between!? You know whose pocket that stuff comes out of? Mine. School doesn't reimburse for that stuff.

I am not complaining b/c I love my job. I'm just trying to clear up some misconceptions. I get such satisfaction knowing that I've had a major part a child's life. I'm not asking for more money or paid vacation or a pat on the back. I just wish people would get over the misconception that teachers have all this time off and how lucky we are. I only find myself fortunate that my child and I have the same schedule so I don't have to leave him w/a sitter or in a day care while he's on vacation.

This year, we'll go in Oct. -- leaving after school on the Fri. before Columbus Day and coming home on Columbus Day.

Finally, I work for a small parochial school. My salary sucks, no 401K plan, DH gets better medical/dental than I would ... but I do it for the kids not the cash. I'm lucky that my job helps to pay for Disney.

Editing to add: I would never complain about getting work ready for a student who is missing a week or two of school for a vacation. Do you know what a hassle that is? B/c they're not getting everything that you're going to give to the rest of the class. Yet, if I were taking vacation and I had to leave plans for a sub ... do you know what kind of prep work would go into that, alone, to allow things to run smoothly!??! However, it's ok for me to bust my butt to prepare missed lessons for your child, but I can't take vaca. time?!

 

[Mom2Princesses]

First, I have to say I am a Mom of 2 girls, oldest in 1st grade this year and the youngest in preschool. I am taking them out of school for 6 days this October for our WDW trip and Cruise. I am not nervous except for the fact that there are laws in Michigan about absenteeism and I really don't know what they are! I will find out in the Fall when I talk to her teachers.

Also, I am in school myself, finishing MY elementary education degree, hope to graduate in 2008 at the age of 36! I cannot wait to teach, yet because I already have children I feel like I have "always" been a teacher. It's a 5 year degree in Michigan (at least where I go).

I absolutely agree with a teacher taking vacation time, although I am sure that there are few schools that allow it. I find it amazing that even in 2004 we are STILL having the argument that teachers have it "easy" because they have the summers "off!"
If you are a teacher or know a teacher, you realize how untrue this is, of course.

I never hear anyone complaining that firefighters work 2 days on then 3 days off (or any other similar schedule). Or that nurses work "only" 3 or 4 twelve hour days each week. I am not saying that they are not working, but to me, teaching 9 hours per day in a classroom and another 10-20 hours per week at home 40 + weeks per year is pretty equivalent.

Just my opinion, and my hat is ALWAYS off to nurses, firefighters, police officers, Doctors, EMS, etc. And I am SURE that their hats are off to teachers!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Daxx
[Editing to add: I would never complain about getting work ready for a student who is missing a week or two of school for a vacation. Do you know what a hassle that is? B/c they're not getting everything that you're going to give to the rest of the class. Yet, if I were taking vacation and I had to leave plans for a sub ... do you know what kind of prep work would go into that, alone, to allow things to run smoothly!??! However, it's ok for me to bust my butt to prepare missed lessons for your child, but I can't take vaca. time?! [/B]

Teachers at my son can't give the students the work in advance. As a matter of fact, if you're out for vacation you can't make up the missed work. You'll get zeros for all of the missed assignments. Any homework has to be turned in the day you return. If I take my son out during school, he'd have to spend vacation time getting homework assignments from a friend. If he went back to school without the homework, he'd get zeros.

I think it would be hypocritical to have such a harsh policy for the students and then allow teachers to be out for a trip to disney.

Since we have the option of not going during the school year, I stick with visiting WDW during school breaks.

 

[jbwolffiv]

It is good to hear so many posative responses to this question seeing as my DW and I are both teachers. We usually drive to WDW so taking time off during the year would really limit the time on property. Maybe when DD3 gets older and we are making more money, flying will be an option and we may do that. Only time will tell, we would love to go during slower times!

 

[Lora]

I just have to step in to say....

I am SOOOOO glad I homeschool!!

I used to teach in a public school and there is practically NO WAY I would have been given time off for a vacation during the school year. The few personal days we were given required a substantial reason. One year I had used all of my personal days (which was rare) and needed to ask for another one in June during the last days of school. (I was only proctoring other teacher's exams at that point). The superintendent let me go only because I had an opportunity to see President Bush (father). I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have allowed me to go to see Mickey!!

BTW - a lot of that "vacation time" in summer, etc. is eaten up largely by lesson planning and other preparation.

As I always say...if you think the life of a teacher is so wonderful - go ahead and try it!! I wouldn't go back for triple the salary.

 

[Stimpy]

Teachers are highly underpaid and I have alot of respect for the profession. They deserve alot more respect from us. I realize they do ALOT of work outside of the classroom.

BUT, I know this is going to be unpopular, I think I have a problem with this as well. When a teacher chooses to teach for a career, they know ahead when the "vacation" time will be. I hope they realize beforehand how much non school hours work there would be. It comes with the job!

DH chose to be a police officer, that means he chose the schedule it entails. That means rarely having any holidays off, missing birthdays, missing special events in our children's lives, working nights and sleeping all day etc. Because of the overtime and long hours, there are weeks when we don't see him except in passing. We don't complain about it, because it comes with the job. We knew in advance these were the sacrifices he would have to make.

If we want to go on vacation, the only time we can is during the school year. I would almost prefer to take them during school vacations so I didn't have to take my child out of school. Our district is another one where vacations are not an excused absence and teachers can not give out assignments beforehand. If it's an unexcused absence for the kids, the teacher definately shouldn't be able to take a vacation during school time either.

BTW, I did seriously consider becoming a history teacher while in college. One of the reasons I decided not to was because of the vacation time. (Obviously there were other reasons as well!) With DH's career and a teaching career, we would never be able to have family time or a vacation.

 

[mickeymousefan]

First... hello carone0318... we live in the same town and I agree with you. I am a college student and I plan my trips around my class schedule so I do not miss any class time. I have no problem with a teachers taking a long weekend but I think an extended trip would best be left for "breaks".

 

[vic32]

My son is going into the first grade, I am taking him out for a week, like We did last year. We try to do it over Columbus day weekend, its a 5 day break, so he ends up missing only a couple of days. As he gets older, it depends on grades, and how he is doing with his studies. Last year I would have offered to pay for his Teachers vacation. God Bless her, I dont know how she does it everyday. And just because you kids leave school, teachers don"t. I know its a job they choose, but anyone who chooses that job, little pay, I think if they need a break they deserve it!

 

[etwinchester]

I don't think it would matter if a child misses school either, unless their having difficulties and what grade their in. I wouldn't take DD out in high school for that long. I'd make a trip after graduation...

My parents took me to disney every 3-4 years so I missed school. We always went for 2 weeks in April. I graduated high school, went to business school and soon to come, going to attend real estate school.

No harm done...I did my makeup work while on vacation and some before we left.

What about people who homeschool. I'm sure they take vacations during Sept-June. I know the girl I work with did. They went to disney. It's considered a learning experience.

 

[schweig]

One thing that has not been brought up is two parent working families. My husband works for a local utility and is unable to get vacation time in June, July or August. Since I am a teacher, it is very difficult for us to plan family vacations. I will be taking my three Personal Leave Days before our Christmas Break this year so we can go to WDW and visit both sets of grandparents who reside in Florida. When we began discussing this trip, I spoke with my administration and I also spoke with our daughter's principal.

 

[Kendra17]

My son's teacher last year was one of those teachers you just PRAY for . . .she was excellent. There is no way on earth I wouldn't want her to take a week off with her family to do something enjoyable for herself.

When the teacher's gone with a planned absence such as this, she can prepare the lesson plans in advance, have almost everything taken care of before she goes. . .even prepare the children better for her absence.

It's only a week. . .teachers leave for other reasons. . .school related conferences, etc., maternity leave (when applicable). . .it doesn't seem reasonable to exclude personal time from "excused absences"

 

[mother moto]

This is a touchy subject. I cant help thinking back to when I was in school. We loved it when we had a subsitute. And if you have ever volenteered at a school, you would really think about giving teachers mid term breaks. So I vote YES let them go and have some fun. plus it may help to remind them what being a kid is all about and when they return the kids will be more excited to learn from a happy teacher.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

A couple of points from a public school teacher:

1. We get 1 emergency day, 1 "conditional" day, & 2 personal days. in addition to our sick days. Really impossible to take a week off.

2. Sometimes, it is far more aggravation to miss class. The planning, The discipline issues when you get back, etc... Most teachers rarely miss work.

3. Teachers get paid for the time they work. period. Lunch is not taken into consideration, holidays, summer. Some choose to spread out the payments over the summer. I does not mean that they are getting paid for that time.

4. My state (PA) mandates that teachers continue education for 24 post graduate credits in order to keep one's certification. They then mandate additional hours of ceducation. All of which is unfunded by the state. Some districts pay for some, but often there is a low limit. For example: I am finishing up my master's degree in Educational Leadership (I want to be a principal & eventually a Superintendent). My classes were $600+ per credit ($1800 per class). there are 12 classes needed. This equals $21,600. My district will compensate $230 per credit, up to $3600. That means that $18,000 worth of mandated instruction will be coming out of my pocket. Not to mention the 300 hour of unpain internship that I will be serving to complete my certification. On a salary of $42,000 per year, that's an awfully big nut to cover.

5. Summers are rarely "summers off". Of course we have free time, but there is quite a bit of work that goes on, unseen by the general public. I have been out of school since June 18th. I have spent 3 days in my classroom, preparing for next year. Many more will follow. I have spent 10 8-hour days in classes working towards my degree, & I have spent hours working on assignemnts outside of class, as well as intern-based assignments. Not a whole lot of free time.

I am not complaining. I love my job. It has its difficulties, but it also has some unique benefits. I just get tired of the "6 hour a day & three months off" nonsense that people spew about teachers. If we have it so easy, be a teacher. We could use all of the help we can get.

 

[AspiringCindy]

I would have no problem with my children's teachers taking time off. Then again, I am a teacher too. In our district, the administrators don't encourage taking excessive time off...but our contract allows us to use our personal days(3) in unison with other days off, as long as it doesn't exceed 5 school days. For instance, during Jersey teachers convention (Thur. & Fri), many of the teachers will use Mon. & Wed. as personal days because we already have off Tue.(Election Day) as well as Thur. and Fri.!

 

[LKS]

I don't take my kids out of school for vacations and while I hate to say that I would begrudge anyone else, teacher or not, I have to say that my son's middle school year really suffered last year due to teacher absences. A lot of these were training and meetings, but there were also serious medical issues, not a vacation and I clearly understand that they were unavoidable, but the subs were just totally unprepared, uninspiring etc... Very little subject matter was covered in the absence of the regular teachers. I mean, it was really bad. These were gifted kids who needed to be challenged - not just babysat. I was just disappointed... Of my 3 kids, this one always gets the toughest deal. I have to admit, I think I would have been less understanding if this had happened for a vacation for each of those three teachers. Of course, hopefully that would have only been a week - not 6-8 weeks per teacher....

It's a tough job, I know, but it has to be done when the kids are there. My mom was a teacher and a single mother who took off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to take us to Williamsburg, VA once and that was the only time she, or I, ever missed a single day of school for vacation.

For those teachers who are obviously unpaid for all their time off, what does your daily or hourly pay work out to for the days you do work? Many people work all year and get 2 weeks "paid" vacation and still only earn what you make in a year. I know, I know, teachers are overworked and underpaid. I really sympathize since my Mom was a teacher. But there is a trade off there and if you decided to be a teacher, you signed up for the deal. Some people have it even worse. I would take the deal for the lower pay and unpaid time off (I have no option for that!) but I don't know if I would have the patience to be a teacher, so I'm not.

Anway, I know WDW is hot in the summer, but that's when I go, and I guess I have to cast my vote to say that's when I think my kids teachers should go. You asked and that's my honest answer.
I really respect what you do, and a sub is just not as good.

 

[AspiringCindy]

Who says I am underpaid and overworked! Heh! Heh!
Actually, it alot harder being a MOM!

Originally posted by LKS
I don't take my kids out of school for vacations and while I hate to say that I would begrudge anyone else, teacher or not, I have to say that my son's middle school year really suffered last year due to teacher absences. A lot of these were training and meetings, but there were also serious medical issues, not a vacation and I clearly understand that they were unavoidable, but the subs were just totally unprepared, uninspiring etc... Very little subject matter was covered in the absence of the regular teachers. I mean, it was really bad. These were gifted kids who needed to be challenged - not just babysat. I was just disappointed... Of my 3 kids, this one always gets the toughest deal. I have to admit, I think I would have been less understanding if this had happened for a vacation for each of those three teachers. Of course, hopefully that would have only been a week - not 6-8 weeks per teacher....

It's a tough job, I know, but it has to be done when the kids are there. My mom was a teacher and a single mother who took off the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to take us to Williamsburg, VA once and that was the only time she, or I, ever missed a single day of school for vacation.

For those teachers who are obviously unpaid for all their time off, what does your daily or hourly pay work out to for the days you do work? Many people work all year and get 2 weeks "paid" vacation and still only earn what you make in a year. I know, I know, teachers are overworked and underpaid. I really sympathize since my Mom was a teacher. But there is a trade off there and if you decided to be a teacher, you signed up for the deal. Some people have it even worse. I would take the deal for the lower pay and unpaid time off (I have no option for that!) but I don't know if I would have the patience to be a teacher, so I'm not.

Anway, I know WDW is hot in the summer, but that's when I go, and I guess I have to cast my vote to say that's when I think my kids teachers should go. You asked and that's my honest answer.
I really respect what you do, and a sub is just not as good.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

There aren't a whole lot of perks, but making my own schedule is one of them.

BUT, if the teacher wants to take the time to prepare a sub for his/her week to Disney, I say, WHY NOT!! They deserve it! Don't you think a happy teacher is a better teacher??

And logically, why is it OK for a teacher to have 3 days off sick (not planned ofcourse) and get a sub that is now unprepared, but not OK for the teacher to have 5 days off, and the sub well prepared and ready??

But I also say this policy goes for the kids, too. I just don't understand why some schools are so strict with this. I know it is harder when they are in high school. I can understand that one. I mean, how can you make up a lab, or something like that. But elementary?? So far I've taught K, 1st(twice), 2nd(twice), 3rd(about to become twice), 4th, 5th, and about to become 6th. We use a VERY advanced, intense program. The first 25 lessons are basically REVIEW!! (that is math, grammar. And math is one of the more important/harder subjects) Why would missing a week in Sept. be a problem??

And maybe it's because we are not in the city, but our teachers are paid very well here compared to the rest of the community. The benefits ALONE are worth it. I know this, because my SIL is a teacher. She decided to go back part time JUST SO HER FAMILY COULD GET THE BENEFITS!

And even when she worked full time, her summers were off. About nine weeks off in the summer, 1 week around Thanks., 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week Winter break, 1 week spring break.....total of about 14 weeks off all year.

But even with that time off, shouldn't it be like any other job? If an average job gets around 2 weeks vacation, shouldn't a teacher get 1 week?? I don't see a problem with that.

Ofcourse, some would say because I homeschool and it doesn't affect MY child, that my opinion doesn't count. Maybe so.........I just think a happy teacher is a good teacher and they certainly work hard enough for it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Mom of Sleepy, Bashful and BabyDoc
There aren't a whole lot of perks, but making my own schedule is one of them.

BUT, if the teacher wants to take the time to prepare a sub for his/her week to Disney, I say, WHY NOT!! They deserve it! Don't you think a happy teacher is a better teacher??

And logically, why is it OK for a teacher to have 3 days off sick (not planned ofcourse) and get a sub that is now unprepared, but not OK for the teacher to have 5 days off, and the sub well prepared and ready??

But I also say this policy goes for the kids, too. I just don't understand why some schools are so strict with this. I know it is harder when they are in high school. I can understand that one. I mean, how can you make up a lab, or something like that. But elementary?? So far I've taught K, 1st(twice), 2nd(twice), 3rd(about to become twice), 4th, 5th, and about to become 6th. We use a VERY advanced, intense program. The first 25 lessons are basically REVIEW!! (that is math, grammar. And math is one of the more important/harder subjects) Why would missing a week in Sept. be a problem??

And maybe it's because we are not in the city, but our teachers are paid very well here compared to the rest of the community. The benefits ALONE are worth it. I know this, because my SIL is a teacher. She decided to go back part time JUST SO HER FAMILY COULD GET THE BENEFITS!

And even when she worked full time, her summers were off. About nine weeks off in the summer, 1 week around Thanks., 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week Winter break, 1 week spring break.....total of about 14 weeks off all year.

But even with that time off, shouldn't it be like any other job? If an average job gets around 2 weeks vacation, shouldn't a teacher get 1 week?? I don't see a problem with that.

Ofcourse, some would say because I homeschool and it doesn't affect MY child, that my opinion doesn't count. Maybe so.........I just think a happy teacher is a good teacher and they certainly work hard enough for it.

Maybe it depends on the type of school the child attends. My son attends a public, inner city, school that is very competitive. Missing a week of school for vacation will have a major impact on his grades. Next year the 8th graders will take both 8 and 9 grade math and science. Each week they will 4 regular science classes and 4 labs. Last year and the year before (6th & 7th grades) my son's school spent 2 days reviewing material from the previous year. After that it's full speed ahead. I can't imagine my son spending the first 25 lessons on review.


Many jobs have times when employees can't take off for vacation. Many accountants can't take vacation during the peak of tax season. If you work in the tourist industry, you may not be able to take time off during the summer. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to teachers take vacation during the allotted vacation periods.