So how many elementary school teachers are here?

[Byrd]

I have been teaching for 31 years. Currently teaching second grade at a public school in Pickens, SC.
So if you are a teacher how long? What grade? Are you ready to go back?

I start back next week and can't wait. Only 14 students on my list, but we always get new ones on the first day.

 

[Danauk]

I'm a teacher too but in England. Next year I am teaching year 6 (10 - 11 year olds) who are the oldest children in the school and this year I taught years 5 and 6. Next year will be my 8th year teaching.
I can't believe you go back next week. In England our schools only break up for the summer today!! (Well in my school the kids finished yesterday and the staff just have to go in today to tidy up and do paper work.) Right now I am just looking forward to my 6 week summer break and am not even thinking about going back just yet!!

 

[Byrd]

Danauk,
We started summer break at the end of May. How many days are you under contract? We work 190 days.
Have a restful break!

 

[Byrd]

bump

I know that there are more.

 

[SDFgirl]

I'm not an elementary teacher yet, but I do my student teaching this fall. 30 days in 2nd grade and 30 days in 5th grade. I'm nervous...but excited!

I would love to get a job over the Christmas break...but I am not counting on it. I'll probably sub until next August.

 

[MinnieM3]

I start 2 weeks from today.
Not ready to get back into the swing of things!

Love my job, though. I teach 3rd grade and will have 24 little guys and gals!

 

[Blondy876]

I'm liscensed to teach up to 3rd grade and currently teach pre-k, 3, 4s and young 5s. I love it. I have 15 students and an aide. Our contracts only allow us 6 1/2 hour work days and we work 187 days a year. I love my job!!!! I have been off since last September on maternity leave. I am itching to go back! Classes here start on Sept 6, I will be in my classroom and at workshops starting on Sept 1.

 

[Byrd]

Jennifer does the entire school start after September or just pre-K? Those hours are great.
Kg. looks like loads of fun.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm not a teacher yet, but I am going to be!!

 

[Mickey76]

I teach remedial math to grades K, 1, and 2. We go back on September 2 (my birthday...bummer) for superintendent's conference day. The students come back the first Wednesday after Labor Day.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

thanks for this thread. I am studying to be a teacher (changing careers) and I have been wondering if it was the right thing to do. I prayed for a sign and the joy and happiness I read in your posts reaffirmed that it is the right thing, and the sign that I was looking for. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm!

 

[Byrd]

Princess Vija,
You will love teaching...had work, but everyday is a new beginning. The reward of helping a child learn to read is the best thing that I have ever done.
Good luck to you in your new career.

 

[Jeannie]

I teach first grade in a public school. This will be my fourth year. I used to call myself an 'old, new teacher' since I didn't become a teacher until I was almost 40! Guess I'm not so new anymore. I'm also 40 and holding! We got out on June 20 and go back on Sept. 1 (the students start on Sept. 6.)

My classroom was having carpet removed, old tile underneath removed, then being retiled and painted. I had to remove and box up everything! It'll be fun to 'redecorate'.... I hope!

I'm expecting about 21 students, but we don't get a list until about 2 weeks before school starts.

Hope everyone has a great year!

 

[Danauk]

We are contracted to teach 185 days to the children and have a further 5 days for training so we are contracted for 190. My school year is split into 6 terms which are roughly 6 weeks long each. So at my school we work 6 weeks, have a week off, work 6 weeks and have 2 weeks off for Christmas. Then another 6 on, a week off and another 6. Then we have 2 weeks off around Easter time. Then we finally have another 6 weeks, one week off and a final 6 weeks. Then we have around 6 weeks off for summer. So we break up towards the end of July and go back the first week of September.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I was a teacher. Stayed home when I started a family and let my license expire. I miss it sometimes. But the hours are long for little pay here in Oklahoma. I do miss the kids and the rush when they "get it".

 

[lewdyan1]

I also used to teach. Now I substitute, it's the best of both worlds.

 

[hockeyplayer]

This will be year number 21 for me. I teach grade 3 in a public school in Pa. Not sure how many students this year - won't get my list until mid-August. I start Aug. 31st, the kids start on Sept. 6th. We work 190 days. LOVE the actual teaching part of my job, HATE the excessive paperwork and dealing with administrators who don't understand the realities of life in the classroom.

 

[Debi]

I just graduated with my BA in Elementary Education, and I'm still seeking out a job. Knock on wood, but there's a promising lead for a 3rd grade job about 10 minutes from my house. Please keep those fingers crossed!

 

[Tink123]

We start school wiht just staff on August 12 and the kids come on the 18. I teach second grade in Arkansas. I am stuck in second grade, they won't let me out. This year will begin my 13 year in the same private school. This year I only have 16 students! I love my job, but I love my summers too!

 

[Poppins]

I am a new "old" teacher, too! I am almost 50, and I just finished my first year of teaching. I teach 5th grade students. My first year was challenging, but I wouldn't trade a single day of it! We go back the middle of August, and I am ready and excited to go back.

All the time I was going through my education classes, I just knew I wanted to teach the younger students, certainly no older than 3rd grade. I did my internships in 5th grade classrooms, and I fell in love with these kids! They are fascinating and they have a great sense of humor. Even after difficult days, I knew that the next day would be a new beginning. Teaching is certainly not predictable, but it is rewarding! Princess Vija, I hope you find as much joy in teaching as I have!