teacher myths

[palavra]

After reading many posts from several threads about education and teaching recently, I am asking my fellow teachers to join me here to help dispel some common teacher myths.

Myth #1-teachers work less than an 8 hour day.

While many teachers may actually teach 6-7 hours, most teachers work longer than 8 hour days and sometimes on the weekend as well.

(Disclaimer: I am not trying to compare teaching to other professions. Yes, i know other professionals often work overtime too. I am simply hoping to put to rest some of the commonly held misconceptions about the career of teaching.)

 

[Mermaid02]

After reading many posts from several threads about education and teaching recently, I am asking my fellow teachers to join me here to help dispel some common teacher myths.

Myth #1-teachers work less than an 8 hour day.

While many teachers may actually teach 6-7 hours, most teachers work longer than 8 hour days and sometimes on the weekend as well.

(Disclaimer: I am not trying to compare teaching to other professions. Yes, i know other professionals often work overtime too. I am simply hoping to put to rest some of the commonly held misconceptions about the career of teaching.)

Interesting thread.

 

[disykat]

Myth that really surprised me from the other thread.

"Teachers are only working during student contact time. They have planning periods off."

 

[stm61]

I wish my scheduled work day was only 6 or 7 hours! My hours are 7:15-3:15. I eat lunch with my kids, I've been coming in at 7 because the buses start dropping off then and my kids tend to get in trouble during the 15 min. before I'm scheduled in. Also, there aren't enough parking spots so the last 15 or cars get to park in the dirt, which is so much fun when it rains. My planning period is a joke because I teach multiple grades and there is never a time that all my kids are out of the room. My aides are supposed to supervise during my planning, which they do, but I still have 3 kids calling my name and it's very hard to get anything done. I can't go far from the room because, gues what, I have kids in there lol. The best part is my contract states all teachers will be scheduled 7 hours daily. All staff meetings are after school. Parent conferences are either in the afternoon or evening, PTA, math fair, and everything else are scheduled at night. We are required to stay and receive no pay for any of it. I remember when I taught 7th grade, we were required to stay for one sporting event each season, plus whatever else was scheduled. I think I'm getting jealous of the teacher's unions up north lol.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Teachers get paid an upper middle-class wage.

Wu-huh? If I had a dime for every show I've seen where the father is a HS teacher and the mom is stay-at-home and they're in 2500 sf house in a really nice neighborhood and they both drive late model cars, I'd be quite comfortable. I keep thinking that TV HS teachers must all have trust funds. Even in states where teachers make a living wage, it's not that kind of living wage.

 

[golfgal]

Well, our high school goes from 7:30-2:30, teachers are required to be in school for 1 1/2 hours either before or after or a combination of those-so that adds up to 8.5 hours just to be in the building so that alone means they work more than 8 hours/day. In reality, the teacher parking lot is full by 6:30 am and most teachers are leaving when we pick kids up from sports, etc. around 5:00-not the coaches, teachers in the classrooms. There may be a handful of teachers that don't do this but most do.

 

[december]

All teachers belong to powerful unions. Myth. We don't have them here.



My school hours are 7:25 until 3:30. I rarely leave before 4. My planning period is for planning. I am not allowed to leave school to run errands. I generally bring home work in the afternoons, and almost always grade tests over the weekend.

I don't get a 10 wk paid vacation in the summer, or 2 wks paid over Christmas. I get paid to work 187 days each year, and that is divided up over 12 mos.

We work until 7 for report card pickups, several Saturdays, ballgames, etc.

After 14 yrs and a masters, I make $42,000 a year.

My family does not get free heath insurance. I don't have a copay. I pay every dime until I hit my very high deductible. My kids are on dh's insurance because mine isn't so great.

I don't spend my days trying to think up ways to terrorize your child. I actually like children

 

[si-am]

I used to work in a school and one thing that people may not realize about teachers is that there is NO time off during the day. My husband can go grab lunch, go to the bank, stay home for a few hours to wait on a repairman, etc., but that isn't an option for teachers.

If you have to take any time off during the day for any reason, it requires a huge hassle of getting class coverage, making lesson plans, etc... just for a dentist appt!

Stuck in traffic and running a little late? Not an option!

And waiting on an important phone call? Forget it! No time to talk during the day.

 

[GJM]

At my DS old school, teachers were allowed to leave at lunch, they didn't eat lunch with the kids or take recess with them.

My husband can go grab lunch, go to the bank, stay home for a few hours to wait on a repairman, etc., but that isn't an option for teachers.

I would say that isn't an option for most people working -

 

[december]

At my DS old school, teachers were allowed to leave at lunch, they didn't eat lunch with the kids or take recess with them.



I would say that isn't an option for most people working -

I think that is rare. I've worked in 4 schools, in 3 different districts. We have break duty, lunch duty, and afternoon bus duty.

I love when kids' shows portray the teachers' lounge as a party zone. Ours is for making copies and meeting with parents!

 

[si-am]

At my DS old school, teachers were allowed to leave at lunch, they didn't eat lunch with the kids or take recess with them.



I would say that isn't an option for most people working -

Really? I've never had a full time salaried position that didn't give you a lunch break.

 

[Mermaid02]

I think that is rare. I've worked in 4 schools, in 3 different districts. We have break duty, lunch duty, and afternoon bus duty.

I love when kids' shows portray the teachers' lounge as a party zone. Ours is for making copies and meeting with parents!

When I was a kid a teacher would open that door and the smoke that came out would choke you!

 

[Cooky]

.

 

[taylor1293]

Myth: Teachers pay next to nothing for family medical care.

With this years rate hike, we are up to $7,000 a year in premiums. And that is picking the lowest cost/highest deductible plan.

Yes, it's cheaper than the $12,000/year through my DH's work, but it's still not what I call affordable.

 

[si-am]

Are you saying everyone who has a job except for teachers can just go to lunch whenever they want, take as much time as they need to do errands, or just take off for the day to stay at home for a repairman?

I really don't think that is a situation exclusive to teachers.

All I was saying was that, in the jobs I've had, and the jobs my friends have, and my husband.... they all have lunch hours where they can do stuff outside the office if need be. I'm sure there are jobs that don't allow this, but I don't know anyone who has one except for teacher friends.

 

[GJM]

At my old job we got 1/2 hour for lunch - so if I had an errand I had to do that and eat lunch in a 1/2 hour. There were plenty of times if it was a busy time during the year, I didn't take lunch - and no I didn't have the option to run home and wait for a repairman as most people in our office & plant.

I work now between 6 - 7 hours a day. I don't get a lunch and can't leave. I help out in my neighbors deli, if I left there would be nobody there for the register and it would effect everyone else.

And yes the teachers at my DS old school did not eat with the kids and could leave the building for their hour lunch. At his school now the teachers eat with the kids and take them out for recess.

 

[bunny]

I work in a very small office and we are never allowed to leave during the day. We do get a lunch break but eat lunch at our desks so we can continue to answer the phone.

Also if you make $42,000 for 187 days, it would $58,000 if you worked a regular job. As a working mom, I would take the paycut to have the summer off.

I am not saying this to slam teachers but there are other jobs with similar circumstances.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

All teachers belong to powerful unions. Myth. We don't have them here.



My school hours are 7:25 until 3:30. I rarely leave before 4. My planning period is for planning. I am not allowed to leave school to run errands. I generally bring home work in the afternoons, and almost always grade tests over the weekend.

I don't get a 10 wk paid vacation in the summer, or 2 wks paid over Christmas. I get paid to work 187 days each year, and that is divided up over 12 mos.

We work until 7 for report card pickups, several Saturdays, ballgames, etc.

After 14 yrs and a masters, I make $42,000 a year.My family does not get free heath insurance. I don't have a copay. I pay every dime until I hit my very high deductible. My kids are on dh's insurance because mine isn't so great.

I don't spend my days trying to think up ways to terrorize your child. I actually like children

That is about starting salary where I live.

 

[december]

When I was a kid a teacher would open that door and the smoke that came out would choke you!

That is illegal now. Schools are tobacco free by law (at least here).

Are you saying everyone who has a job except for teachers can just go to lunch whenever they want, take as much time as they need to do errands, or just take off for the day to stay at home for a repairman?

I really don't think that is a situation exclusive to teachers.

Most people have a lunch break that they are free to use as they please. Here teachers walk their class to the cafeteria, sit with them, then walk them back.

I work in a very small office and we are never allowed to leave during the day. We do get a lunch break but eat lunch at our desks so we can continue to answer the phone.

Also if you make $42,000 for 187 days, it would $58,000 if you worked a regular job. As a working mom, I would take the paycut to have the summer off.

I am not saying this to slam teachers but there are other jobs with similar circumstances.

And you have the choice to become a teacher, just like I did! I'm not complaining about my job-I love it. But it does get old to read and hear about how we work part time, hide behind unions, have awesome benefits, and make too much money. Those things simply aren't true in all parts of the country.

 

[tvguy]

That is about starting salary where I live.

$42,000 is the starting salary here too. You top out at $70,000 after 7 years. Plus stipends if you have a Masters of PhD, and if you coach a sport or other after school program (band, drama, etc). 9 month contract. You make more if you work one or both of the summer sessions.
I'm amazed how many teachers work as house painters during the summer for extra cash. Sort of like firefighters who run chimney cleaning businesses on their days off I guess.