Teacher taking Vacation to Disney during school year?

[princessmom29]

This just sounds like a whiny teacher . boo hoo,. get over it. you have the summer off and most people still get up everyday for work in july and august.

I honestly do not want to have another conversation with a group of teachers because all I have ever heard is whining and complaints about how difficult their jobs are, and how they can't wait for summer vacation.

Oh and I forgot how teachers like to go on strike during the school year. That was a good way to get extra pay and extra benefits.

And most jobs don't allow for a person to just take a day off (personal or otherwise) and have someone come and substitute for the day.

I hope it's clear that I think a teacher should be in the classroom because they have sufficient vacation time outside of the designated school year dates.

I am NOT whinig about anything. I have NO problem with the hours I put in. They are part of the job and I knew that when I signed on. I just wish more people realized that teachers DO work during the summer, holidays, weekends, and after school. I get up and go to work most days during July and August, and my DD goes to child care. I am in training, workshops, confrences ect. I have to travel at least a week every summer for tarining as well. There is no "10 weeks off". It just doesn't happen anymore.

I worked in the private sector before I started teaching and I have NEVER had a job wher you did not get a personal day. There is not one sub in our system certified to do my job, so I have to make up the work when I get back just like any other job. Teaching IS a full time job. I DON'T have a problem with that, I just wish that the public realized that teachers DO work just as hard as everyone else. I have a great job. I get to open the mids of young people to the world of science. I LOVE it.

There has never been a strike the entire time I have worked in my stae, and I for one would NEVER walk off the job and put my students in that position. I care what happens to them, and it is more important than what any union says. I am fairly compensated for my time. I knew what was required of me going in and agreed to do the job.


ETA: How do you rationalize leaving your children in the care of someone you have that much contempt for?

 

[wvulion]

My husband is a teacher, who actually works year round, and only gets off for three weeks in the summer. It's really tough to get everything in all at once with my schedule, so we would typically do a long weekend with two personal days tacked on to make five in a row. That said, he also doesn't get a Spring Break like other teachers in the schoool system, because that's the week he takes his students on their travel break (which last year was a week at Disney!!), so maybe I am a little biased--I guess it just depends on your perspective. I should also mention that he works weekends too, and that he is a band director, which necessitates him working many holidays that are holidays for those in the private sector. Live and let live, I guess.

 

[toesmom]

I am NOT whinig about anything. I have NO problem with the hours I put in. They are part of the job and I knew that when I signed on. I just wish more people realized that teachers DO work during the summer, holidays, weekends, and after school. I get up and go to work most days during July and August, and my DD goes to child care. I am in training, workshops, confrences ect. I have to travel at least a week every summer for tarining as well. There is no "10 weeks off". It just doesn't happen anymore.

I worked in the private sector before I started teaching and I have NEVER had a job wher you did not get a personal day. There is not one sub in our system certified to do my job, so I have to make up the work when I get back just like any other job. Teaching IS a full time job. I DON'T have a problem with that, I just wish that the public realized that teachers DO work just as hard as everyone else. I have a great job. I get to open the mids of young people to the world of science. I LOVE it.

There has never been a strike the entire time I have worked in my stae, and I for one would NEVER walk off the job and put my students in that position. I care what happens to them, and it is more important than what any union says. I am fairly compensated for my time. I knew what was required of me going in and agreed to do the job.


ETA: How do you rationalize leaving your children in the care of someone you have that much contempt for?

You sound like a teacher I could get along with.

Those I've had to deal with in the public system here in Ontario seem to have a completely different attitude.

And I don't have a choice as to my kids being in school with their teachers. So of course I'm polite, but I still have my opinion based on my own experiences.

However, you have given me something to think about, thank you.

 

[princessmom29]

You sound like a teacher I could get along with.

Those I've had to deal with in the public system here in Ontario seem to have a completely different attitude.

And I don't have a choice as to my kids being in school with their teachers. So of course I'm polite, but I still have my opinion based on my own experiences.

However, you have given me something to think about, thank you.

I am sorry you have ahd to deal with some less than stellar teachers. Those people really shouldn't be teaching. I love my job and care about the kids I teach. I want them to have the best education I can give them. Are you required to send kids to public school in Canada? I thought private school and homeschool were both options there?

 

[AZMermaid]

I will say that teacher's holidays are nice, yes. But nowhere near what the public assumes them to be, much like princessmom said. We get off at Memorial Day and are back in Aug 8 this year. I am there at least 2 weeks early prepping and training not to mention the 1-2 weeks I take classes during the summer, which I pay for. I am not whining, I love my job, but it is a full time job, and the assumption that is isn't is insulting. I don't know any teacher who works bell to bell. If they do, they likely are not doing a good job.

This sort of reminds me of when I was looking at maternity leave this year. My principal and fellow teachers (who are all 50+ at my school, because no-one ever leaves it) were shocked that I wanted to take 10-12 weeks off when the baby was born. I was going to be moving up a grade and I had a lot of parent requests. They were fine with a maternity leave, but also were surprised I was planning on taking what is allowed by law. I felt like I had to choose between being a good teacher and a good mom to my baby. I ended up taking the year off as a Leave of Absence. The school did call because they were desperate for a Kinder teacher. A class had to split into two about 3 weeks into the school year. I declined, because I did not think it was right to do that to those little 5 year olds, start with one teacher, get me for a month (actually 2 weeks, since the baby was early), have a sub for the next 12 weeks and then me back again. No way. But, besides the absurdity of that scenario, I was pretty surprised and hurt by the assumption that I would take the minimum amount of leave for the birth of my child.

 

[LaurenLC]

I will say that teacher's holidays are nice, yes. But nowhere near what the public assumes them to be, much like princessmom said. We get off at Memorial Day and are back in Aug 8 this year. I am there at least 2 weeks early prepping and training not to mention the 1-2 weeks I take classes during the summer, which I pay for. I am not whining, I love my job, but it is a full time job, and the assumption that is isn't is insulting. I don't know any teacher who works bell to bell. If they do, they likely are not doing a good job.

This sort of reminds me of when I was looking at maternity leave this year. My principal and fellow teachers (who are all 50+ at my school, because no-one ever leaves it) were shocked that I wanted to take 10-12 weeks off when the baby was born. I was going to be moving up a grade and I had a lot of parent requests. They were fine with a maternity leave, but also were surprised I was planning on taking what is allowed by law. I felt like I had to choose between being a good teacher and a good mom to my baby. I ended up taking the year off as a Leave of Absence. The school did call because they were desperate for a Kinder teacher. A class had to split into two about 3 weeks into the school year. I declined, because I did not think it was right to do that to those little 5 year olds, start with one teacher, get me for a month (actually 2 weeks, since the baby was early), have a sub for the next 12 weeks and then me back again. No way. But, besides the absurdity of that scenario, I was pretty surprised and hurt by the assumption that I would take the minimum amount of leave for the birth of my child.

I'm amazed you would get 10-12 weeks off for maternity leave. Standard is 6 weeks for regular delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section.

 

[MiniGirl]

Then it sounds like you chose the wrong profession. Honestly, every job has its perks and has its crappy parts...that's just life. If you really think your profession is so much worse than another, than honestly, maybe you should think about switching professions. Quality of life is important, and can certainly make you much better or much worse at your job.

I don't believe this poster ever said she didn't like her job. What she said was that she would love to be able to work extra time in order to ensure having time off during the summer as well as at Christmas and Easter. Honestly, I think most people who have to work summers and holidays would agree. It doesn't mean they don't like their jobs. It just means they don't like that aspect of their job.

Also, I get that teachers put in many hours that are unpaid, but all professionals do. I don't think teachers put in anymore time than other professionals. I know the longer my mom taught the fewer hours she put in outside the classroom. I also have many teacher friends now that do not put in the summer hours some of the DIS teachers do. There are several teacher in-service training days during the school year. The teachers attend training on those days and they count towards their continuing education/preofessional development hours. My teacher friends generally spend 3 or 4 days at some type of training each summer. Also the vast majority do not start planning for the new year until right before school starts. I do have one teacher friend that plans all summer, but she takes maybe an hour every few days to do this so she isn't rushed come August. Again though, these people do not put in anymore unpaid time than other professionals I know. (I would hate to add up the hours I worked without pay when I was a flight attendant. It would probably make me cry. Dh is a pilot and puts in many, many hours off the clock as well. Not looking for sympathy. Just stating a fact.) Spending one's own money is also standard for most professionals.

Also, if we have learned nothing else on the DIS, it is that different places do things differently. Around here, elementary school start at 8:00. Teachers need to be in their classrooms at 7:45. They walk their class to the cafeteria for lunch but are able to leave as soon as the last child is in the door. Cafeteria workers and parent volunteers take over from there. When lunch is over, they get them lined up and waiting at the door, and that is where the teacher picks them up and walks them back to class after a brief restroom break. Many teachers never set foot in the cafeteria. Teachers also rotate on the playground. If it is not their turn out there, they may take a break, etc. They also get an hour each day while their class is at art, music, PE, or the media center. That hour can be used for grading papers, planning, conferences, etc. Also throughout the year, enrichment teachers will come in to teach Spanish, for example. The teacher may leave, but most don't. It is a very short time, so most teachers sit quietly at the desk and get caught up on paper work. School is out at 2:20, but I am unsure when they can leave. Some say at 2:45 and others say not until 3:00. Most, especially those with older kids, will stay until 3:30 or so. The middle school is right next door and gets out about that time, so they stay and get some work done while they wait for their older children to get out.

I don't begrudge teachers the time off they get. I know it is one of the perks of a teaching job. Again, around here teachers get a good 10 weeks off. They get 10 during the summer, 2 at Christmas, and 1 at Easter along with other holidays sprinkled in throughout the year, so that takes into account 3 weeks for continuing ed/PD classes and getting rooms taken down, set up, etc. Again, that is just around here. I also think teachers should get paid a fair salary, and they are here. All of them would like more, but who wouldn't, right? Even they agree that having the time off is more important than having the extra money.

To bring it around to the OP's post though, I still say I have no problem with a teacher taking time off for a vacation duringt he school year as long as the contract allows for it.

 

[brockash]

I'm amazed you would get 10-12 weeks off for maternity leave. Standard is 6 weeks for regular delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section.

I'm not sure why you'd be "amazed" that someone would get 10-12 weeks off for maternity leave when it's the law in their state. When I had my dd (4 years ago,) the law/standard was 12 weeks, and I took all 12. It was also 12 when I had my son 9 years ago, and those were in 2 different states, so I can't imagine it's that uncommon.

ETA: I'm not/was not a teacher when I had my children, but I don't think that it should make a difference as to how much maternity someone takes.

 

[Princess Roo]

I haven't read all the replies, but I don't see why a teacher shouldn't be able to use their personal days the way they want to. I would have a problem with them calling in sick from Disney, but that goes for any profession.

That said, here the teachers only get 2 or 3 personal days a year and the rest are sick days. And they are not allowed to use a personal day adjacent to a vacation day to make the vacation longer.

 

[LaurenLC]

I'm not sure why you'd be "amazed" that someone would get 10-12 weeks off for maternity leave when it's the law in their state. When I had my dd (4 years ago,) the law/standard was 12 weeks, and I took all 12. It was also 12 when I had my son 9 years ago, and those were in 2 different states, so I can't imagine it's that uncommon.

Calm down.... I have no idea what state they are from so I don't know what their specific state law is. 'Traditionally' maternity leave is 6 weeks or 8 weeks with a c-section. I personally feel it should be MUCH more, but I guess it does AMAZE me to hear some get more.

 

[Kat&Dom]

I don't have a problem with teacher's taking vacation during the school year. I am in the camp of "a happy teacher makes for a better education for my son".

I had my son in the year round calendar but our school district cancelled it so I looked at the Traditional Calendar and it is 16 weeks from start of school to Christmas break, 12 weeks until Spring Break and 12 weeks until Summer break. I think it is too long between breaks for both teachers and students so I have presented a revised calendar that our school board is reviewing at their next meeting. I am proposing that school starts 3 days early and moving some of the Non-instructional days (there are 10 scheduled for the upcoming year plus there is a PD day each month). Our teachers have a 2 day Teachers Convention in February that is the same week as a Stat so kids attend school for 2 days - my proposal is that they place 2 Non-instructional days so that kids are off the entire week and teachers can get caught up on marking/grading during the 2 N/I days then go and enjoy the Convention without having to worry about what they have waiting for them when they get home.

This revised calendar would give a break for a week in October, keep the 2 weeks at Christmas, break for a week in February and move Spring break from beginning of April to end of April. What this means is 7 weeks from start of school to October break, 9 weeks to Christmas break, 8 weeks to February break, 8 weeks to Spring break and 8 weeks to end of school. Our school year runs from September to June. I am really hoping that the school board is open for this revised schedule and will implement it.

I just see so much value for families and teachers. The traditional calendar has been the same as it was when I was a child and I think there is way more pressure on teachers and students. What my son has been taking in Kindergarten is what I remember learning in grade 1 and 2. Teachers have to prepare our children to compete in a global market and I think they do an amazing job. I want my son to love school and I know if he has happy teachers that they will be the biggest factor in him loving school.

And, no, I am not a teacher or involved in the education system in any way. I am just a parent who wants my son to have the very best education possible in the most positive and happy environment.

 

[Sandisw]

I don't think it is an issue if a teacher wants to take time off during the school year in line with the time that they are allowed to take.

In our district, we are given 3 personal days per year but are not allowed to use them for "recreation", which means taking them for vacation is frowned upon. If a teacher really has a reason to take time off for something at times other than school breaks, they will ask for unpaid time from the Board of Education.

I think you would be hard pressed, however, to find that there are that many teachers out there who do take vacation during the school year on a regular basis. I would love to be able to take a 4 day trip during the school year by attaching a few days to a weekend.

But, as mentioned, teachers are human and there are a host of reasons that can take them out of the classroom. A few years ago, I was taken out of a school for a week by the doctor because I had the flu really bad. While I was home feeling awful and not at WDW enjoying the happiest place on earth, the effect on my students was the same--a week with a substitute.

 

[brockash]

Calm down.... I have no idea what state they are from so I don't know what their specific state law is. 'Traditionally' maternity leave is 6 weeks or 8 weeks with a c-section. I personally feel it should be MUCH more, but I guess it does AMAZE me to hear some get more.

It seems that 12 weeks is also the law in your state, so like I said, I don't know why someone would be so shocked at that.

http://www.humanresourceblog.com/2007/08/14/illinois-maternity-leave/


I guess when I read your post, it sounded like you thought she was really lucky and should just be thankful that she was even allowed to take 12 weeks. I don't think that poster was getting any special treatment because they got to take 12 weeks. By law, anyone in your state could also take 12 weeks.

 

[Sandisw]

Calm down.... I have no idea what state they are from so I don't know what their specific state law is. 'Traditionally' maternity leave is 6 weeks or 8 weeks with a c-section. I personally feel it should be MUCH more, but I guess it does AMAZE me to hear some get more.

Under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), you are allowed 12 weeks off but you don't necessarily get paid for all of it.

For most maternity, you are correct, that people are given 6 - 8 weeks of paid time off, the time doctor's take you out medically, but many will take the additional time to the 12 week mark as unpaid leave.

 

[LaurenLC]

It seems that 12 weeks is also the law in your state, so like I said, I don't know why someone would be so shocked at that.

http://www.humanresourceblog.com/2007/08/14/illinois-maternity-leave/


I guess when I read your post, it sounded like you thought she was really lucky and should just be thankful that she was even allowed to take 12 weeks. I don't think that poster was getting any special treatment because they got to take 12 weeks. By law, anyone in your state could also take 12 weeks.

I think we were simply referring to two different things.... FMLA vs. PAID maternity leave..... But this is WAY off the OT.. Sorry.

 

[guarn3md]

Ok so $63K/year working 191 days
= $329/day
= $41.23/hour IF you work an 8 hr day
= $59.82/hour if you are like our teachers working 9-3:30

This is low pay?

Probably on par with what most nurses make with the same education level.

I work in diagnostic mammography. Our patients either have breast cancer or think they do. It's incredibly stressful physically and emotionally. I cry with my patients often. I have also been threatened a cursed at many, many times. To an outsider, my job looks easy.
Still, we get 4 weeks vacation & 6 holidays per year: NY, Mem Day, 7/4, Lab Day, TG, Christmas Day.
Wanna trade?

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate our teachers and think they should be well paid, but all careers have pros & cons.

Absolutely all careers have their pros & cons...I never went into teaching to get rich! I get to work at 7:30am and leave at 4pm, I am suppose to have a 25 min. duty free lunch - that I rarely take because I am helping a student. I don't question anyone's job and how easy or hard it looks. Everyone's job has stresses and we all choose our careers and the pros/cons that come with them.
My response was to the OP who wants to question my commitment to my job because I use my earned personal days/sick days to take short trips to Disney.
My intention with my post was not to insult nor to get personal about anyone else's career. The original post and question was about teachers not taking time off during the school year to go to Disney. My response was to put in perspective that we are all professionals, but we also have families and personal lives and we all deserve to take our earned time as we see fits and as long as it falls within our employers guidelines.
I'm done with this thread. I am deleting it from my subscriptions. I think that it is getting too personal and no one should question anyone's commitment to their job just because they take a few days off to spend time with their family. As I mentioned before - everyone's job has pros/cons and I have never been one to harp on the cons of teaching. AND I am not going to get into a debate of whos job is harder.
I am leaving for Disney in less than 72 hours and I am going to spend my time on the boards looking forward to another magical trip.
Deb

 

[KristinAnne]

As a teacher, I think any parent should be upset at the idea of their child's teacher taking time off to go on vacation. Yes, our vacations will always fall during the busy season at WDW, but too bad for us. As a teacher, I am also against parents pulling their children out of school for a week. A couple of days is one thing, but a week is entirely another. I teach high school, so it's a different ballgame than elementary school as far as the work is concerned though.

At the same time, to those people who are adding up the amount of time spent out of the classroom, you really shouldn't judge until you walk in someone else's shoes. I am not going to pass judgement on anyone else's profession, but I will say that less physical time in the workplace does not necessarily equal less, or lower quality, work produced.

 

[KristinAnne]

Ok so $63K/year working 191 days
= $329/day
= $41.23/hour IF you work an 8 hr day
= $59.82/hour if you are like our teachers working 9-3:30

This is low pay?

Probably on par with what most nurses make with the same education level.

I work in diagnostic mammography. Our patients either have breast cancer or think they do. It's incredibly stressful physically and emotionally. I cry with my patients often. I have also been threatened a cursed at many, many times. To an outsider, my job looks easy.
Still, we get 4 weeks vacation & 6 holidays per year: NY, Mem Day, 7/4, Lab Day, TG, Christmas Day.
Wanna trade?

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate our teachers and think they should be well paid, but all careers have pros & cons.

Based on your posts, it seems easy to "get you wrong." I don't see much appreciation in your posts. It seems like you think teachers work too little and get over paid. You have a couple of very tidy little math equations there and appear to have it all figured out. However, as you said about your own profession...to an outsider it looks easy. I don't want to trade with you as you indicated the PP could, but if you're so upset about teachers' vacation, you should have become one.

 

[AZMermaid]

I'm amazed you would get 10-12 weeks off for maternity leave. Standard is 6 weeks for regular delivery and 8 weeks for a c-section.

FMLA says you can take up to 12 weeks. Now, this is all unpaid. We get no paid maternity leave at all, but if I am willing to take it unpaid, I (and all Americans working at a company with 50+ employees) can take 12 weeks.

 

[meredith1]

1. I don't actually believe that teachers only work while school is in session. I realize they put in hours beyond the school day. I just don't like to hear whining & complaining that they have to put in time beyond the school day since our school day is relatively short compared to a typical FT job in other fields. Maybe the min. school day varies from state to state. My kids attend the same school district that I did and the hours haven't changed since way back then.
I'm just saying if teachers want an annual salary of a FT job, then put in the annual hours of a FT job.

2. Over the lunch hour, students are supervised by teacher's aides. While half the students eat lunch for 1/2 hr, the other half go outside for recess (weather permitting) then they switch. Those who ate can go outside while others come in to eat. Teachers eat in the teachers' lounge or go out to lunch. They also get a break away from their students to plan lessons, etc. while the students go to gym, art, music, and Spanish. All once per week except gym is 2x/week.

3. I would gladly work an extra hour or 2 every night to get 10 weeks off in the summer, a week at Christmas and a week at Easter.

I would love to know how long you have been teaching and much more important, if you have children? Your perspective will certainly change as you gain teaching experience and begin to have babies, yourself.