Teacher taking Vacation to Disney during school year?

[crisi]

Just because you can't do it, does it mean that other people can't do it?

I say if their school admin doesn't mind, they should go for it.

I think that when your business has a cycle, you have an obligation to work that cycle. Teachers have a definite cycle. It isn't like you don't realize what their business cycle is moving in. Retail has a cycle. Tax accountants have a cycle. These are jobs that you have a responsibility to do your job when the work is there - but there are other times of year when the work isn't.

That isn't all jobs....a lot of jobs aren't cyclic.

If the school admin doesn't mind, that's nice for them. The school has other stakeholders. The students, the parents and the taxpayers.

 

[crisi]

Teachers cannot book vacation without considering their jobs either. They have to save those personal days to use them. It's not like they can take off week after week all of the time. If I wanted to take a one-week trip to Disney during the school year, I would have to save all of my personal days for three years. What you describe is similar to what teachers must do.

In my husband's previous job, if wanted to take a vacation during his busy season, he couldn't. No matter how much vacation he saves up. That means from Mid-October to February we COULDN'T vacation - he gets Christmas Day off, during which he is on call.

My brother in law cannot be farther than 12 miles from his house during planting and harvest. No matter how many vacation days he saves up. He works for a small town hospital and planting and harvest are when they are most likely to get emergency calls.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I think that when your business has a cycle, you have an obligation to work that cycle. Teachers have a definite cycle. It isn't like you don't realize what their business cycle is moving in. Retail has a cycle. Tax accountants have a cycle. These are jobs that you have a responsibility to do your job when the work is there - but there are other times of year when the work isn't.

That isn't all jobs....a lot of jobs aren't cyclic.

If the school admin doesn't mind, that's nice for them. The school has other stakeholders. The students, the parents and the taxpayers.

Thank you - you said it better than I did.

 

[MWGreene]

It is certainly not ok. I was a teacher before we moved out of the country. I worked in a public school district. We would have never been allowed to take a vacation. I worked for 7 years and never ever came across someone who took a week off for vacation. Some teachers might extend a long weekend by a day but not an entire week. Substitutes are, for the most part, babysitters and do not teach children at all. We got 2 personal days a year and 10 sick days. When we were out, the principal had to approve the reason and that was sent to central office to be signed off. I believe my parents would have been irate if I left my students in the hands of a substitute for an entire week.

 

[miprender]

DH is a teacher and I wish we he could get time off during non peak weeks to go to Disney but they would never allow it plus he only gets 2 personal days. So that means either summer or school vacation weeks.

Would it bother me... NO because I know how it is being married to teacher and one week out is not going to make my daughter/son fall behind.

 

[DopeyDame]

I think that when your business has a cycle, you have an obligation to work that cycle. Teachers have a definite cycle. /QUOTE]

Yup - and teachers do, indeed, have an obligation to be there during the critical times of the year. I'd be livid if my kid's teacher took off the week before AP exams, for example. But every.single.day.all.school.year.long is not critical. For the majority of the year, I trust responsible teachers to adjust their curriculum and supply appropriate lesson plans such that missing a few days won't do any long term damage to their students' learning. if the teacher isn't responsible enough to handle that, then there are far bigger issues in that classroom.
If the boss approves the time and the work is adequately addressed, I don't see how it's any of my business when a teacher takes off.

 

[crisi]

Yup - and teachers do, indeed, have an obligation to be there during the critical times of the year. I'd be livid if my kid's teacher took off the week before AP exams, for example. But every.single.day.all.school.year.long is not critical. For the majority of the year, I trust responsible teachers to adjust their curriculum and supply appropriate lesson plans such that missing a few days won't do any long term damage to their students' learning. if the teacher isn't responsible enough to handle that, then there are far bigger issues in that classroom.
If the boss approves the time and the work is adequately addressed, I don't see how it's any of my business when a teacher takes off.

The OPs question is "how do I feel" - I feel like a teacher should be in the classroom nearly every day unless they are ill. And they should take vacations during school vacation times. A sanity day here or there, is fine with me - two days in a row, nope. I don't care if their boss approves the time, or if someone else's, or even my own child, will not suffer because the teacher is out, or if the sub pay comes from the teachers pocket, the question is "how do I feel." I feel that there are adequate vacation opportunities for teachers when school is not in session, and that if you want to vacation during the school year - but not over Spring Break or Christmas, you should pick a different profession. You made a commitment to teach kids - that happens when school is in session. Be there. Or pick a different job. Many kids require consistency in the classroom. If you can't provide it - teaching is NOT your calling.

You may feel differently. This is how I feel.

 

[princessmom29]

The OPs question is "how do I feel" - I feel like a teacher should be in the classroom nearly every day unless they are ill. And they should take vacations during school vacation times. A sanity day here or there, is fine with me - two days in a row, nope. I don't care if their boss approves the time, or if someone else's, or even my own child, will not suffer because the teacher is out, or if the sub pay comes from the teachers pocket, the question is "how do I feel." I feel that there are adequate vacation opportunities for teachers when school is not in session, and that if you want to vacation during the school year - but not over Spring Break or Christmas, you should pick a different profession. You made a commitment to teach kids - that happens when school is in session. Be there. Or pick a different job.

I'll ask agian. Do you also feel that kids need to "be there" and that they have adequate vacation opportunities when school is not in session? I say, if it is vital that the teacher be there every day, it is just as vital that the students are there every day.

 

[crisi]

I'll ask agian. Do you also feel that kids need to "be there" and that they have adequate vacation opportunities when school is not in session? I say, if it is vital that the teacher be there every day, it is just as vital that the students are there every day.

Yes, but because the teacher has more impact on the consistency of the classroom, it is less important for each child to be there each day than the teacher being there each day - but it is still important (I did take my kids out, never for longer than three days, and I regret it, I wouldn't do it if I were raising my kids again - we stopped pulling them for vacations several years ago). But I am also a customer of the educational success of each child in a classroom. If they fail, my school may fail no child left behind. If they fail, I have a less educated workforce to support industry and the economics of the nation. Students also have a responsibility to be in school - however, they, and their parents, also have less choice. Teachers chose to teach. For many students, public school is a functional requirement (their parents do not have the resources to homeschool or send them to private school).

 

[skip323]

I just don't know of any other field that consistantly complains so publicly as much as teachers (though I've never directly heard ours complain.) Mostly about being being underpaid and not getting paid all summer, like the pp saying it's 'seasonal' and such, complaining about not being able to collect unemployment. Why should you? You still get a good annual salary comparable to other professions that work year-round.

Do you constantly hear nurses & medical professionals complain so much? Are we known as complainers here on the Disboards? In the 9 years in worked in general radiology, (before switching to mammos) I worked Christmas 3 times. That sure gets old fast but hey, I knew that going into the field. It's nasty, dirty, stressful work. We xray everyone from drunk drivers to aborted fetuses.

I am sure some people responded to this so I apologize but the issue, I think, has less to do with who does what and more to do with how these positions are perceived. Even though I may make just as much, or more, or less than you and others in your field....people tend to be "in awe" of what you do. On the other hand, public educators have been made into villians across the United States...talk about your down trodden. We are ...according to many...the root of all evil in the US. Kids in the US aren't performing up to the standards of other countries? Teachers are at fault. Kids are truant from school? Teachers are to blame. Childhood obesity is on the rise? Shame on the educators. Do you see what I mean? It becomes more and more difficult and frustrating to WANT to do good things and to TRY to do good things but to ALWAYS be made the villian. What other profession do you know of where people are lumped together and made villians (except politicians of course). There is only so much any one person can take before they start to get angry and frustrated and ultimately complain. And, I kid you not, there are been cases taken to court for truancy and the teachers have been blamed not the parents. Educators are suppposed to be able to educate but are often instead having to spend massive amounts of time disciplining and raising other people's children. In what other profession do you have to get lots of training to do it but then are never actually allowed to do it for all of the other things that get in the way? I have worked in business. I have also worked as a flight attendant. I was able to go into work in those jobs and actually do my job! too much of education, now, revolves around dealing with "other issues". I think a lot of people work hard...regardless of profession....but I don't find most other professions being constantly attacked by the public and by public officials as well! It is a terrible feeling.

 

[AZMermaid]

The OPs question is "how do I feel" - I feel like a teacher should be in the classroom nearly every day unless they are ill. And they should take vacations during school vacation times. A sanity day here or there, is fine with me - two days in a row, nope. I don't care if their boss approves the time, or if someone else's, or even my own child, will not suffer because the teacher is out, or if the sub pay comes from the teachers pocket, the question is "how do I feel." I feel that there are adequate vacation opportunities for teachers when school is not in session, and that if you want to vacation during the school year - but not over Spring Break or Christmas, you should pick a different profession. You made a commitment to teach kids - that happens when school is in session. Be there. Or pick a different job. Many kids require consistency in the classroom. If you can't provide it - teaching is NOT your calling.

You may feel differently. This is how I feel.

So, you would have been upset with me when I took 3 days off to get married? Two days before, 1 day after. This was in early May, after testing. My sub was an ex 3rd grade teacher who quit a few years earlier when her kids were born. But, this is also AZ where it is 110 most of the summer and there is no way I was going to get married then. My school won a $100,000 award from Intel that year as being the top elementary school in the US for science. You can bet we had very involved parents. None of them cared at all. They were all happy for me. Now, I could tell they were a little wary when they asked about the honeymoon, but we went in June, after school was out, which ended up being great since we had about a month to wind down after the wedding and gear up for Aruba!

I am not sure I see a difference between that and a well set up 3 day vacation.

 

[crisi]

So, you would have been upset with me when I took 3 days off to get married? Two days before, 1 day after. This was in early May, after testing. My sub was an ex 3rd grade teacher who quit a few years earlier when her kids were born. But, this is also AZ where it is 110 most of the summer and there is no way I was going to get married then. My school won a $100,000 award from Intel that year as being the top elementary school in the US for science. You can bet we had very involved parents. None of them cared at all. They were all happy for me. Now, I could tell they were a little wary when they asked about the honeymoon, but we went in June, after school was out, which ended up being great since we had about a month to wind down after the wedding and gear up for Aruba!

I am not sure I see a difference between that and a well set up 3 day vacation.

The parents who cared didn't complain. But unless you surveyed each of them, you don't know that none of them cared. Instead, you'll get people who are nice to you to your face, then use your behavior as further evidence that teachers don't deserve respect - you fueled "she gets the entire summer off and she had to take during the year to get married." (and teachers do deserve respect - what they don't deserve is vacation during the school year. Its possible to get respect, and better pay, and be in school when your students are).

 

[RMulieri]

Doesn't bother me in the least,We all are entitled to a vacation and you have to realize that though teachers do have off from school in the summer and holidays, their SPOUSE might not and is at the mercy of whatever schedule his/her job may impose.Do those families not get a vacation then?I am not a teacher but a nurse.My husband is also in the medical field.We both have requirements and unfortunately if we EVER want a vacation together as a family, it means pulling my daughter out of school...I have no problems with teachers doing the same.

 

[tinkmom76]

My husband and I teach in separate districts and never have the same breaks. We have both taken off to go on trips before and I don't understand what everyone's problem is. I would never tell a lawyer, doctor, carpenter, etc. when to take off. I get an allotted amount of days a year and I think that if I want to take off 5 days in a row then it is my business. I could also argue that all teachers should make all doctor/dentist appointments during the summer if you want to get picky about things.

 

[AZMermaid]

The parents who cared didn't complain. But unless you surveyed each of them, you don't know that none of them cared. Instead, you'll get people who are nice to you to your face, then use your behavior as further evidence that teachers don't deserve respect - you fueled "she gets the entire summer off and she had to take during the year to get married." (and teachers do deserve respect - what they don't deserve is vacation during the school year. Its possible to get respect, and better pay, and be in school when your students are).

True enough, I suppose. But, judging by the $700 wedding gift they collected and the huge party they threw, no-one seemed super offended. A few of their older kids had even had the sub as a teacher. I just really can't believe you would begrudge a teacher a few days off for her wedding. What if my child is in the hospital for a week? Is it okay for me to take off then? A planned absence is way better prepared for than an unplanned one. For a planned one, I can get a good well-trusted and experienced sub. I will have good and current plans. For an unexpected absence, I have to hope I get someone good (many are great, but when the same subs come to the same school, they start to know the kids) and they follow my emergency plans done every quarter which are largely filler. If I were a sub, I would always take the advance jobs for sure!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

The OPs question is "how do I feel" - I feel like a teacher should be in the classroom nearly every day unless they are ill. And they should take vacations during school vacation times. A sanity day here or there, is fine with me - two days in a row, nope. I don't care if their boss approves the time, or if someone else's, or even my own child, will not suffer because the teacher is out, or if the sub pay comes from the teachers pocket, the question is "how do I feel." I feel that there are adequate vacation opportunities for teachers when school is not in session, and that if you want to vacation during the school year - but not over Spring Break or Christmas, you should pick a different profession. You made a commitment to teach kids - that happens when school is in session. Be there. Or pick a different job. Many kids require consistency in the classroom. If you can't provide it - teaching is NOT your calling.You may feel differently. This is how I feel.

Really- not one's calling? Over taking a few days off during school time? What about all of the time I spend in the summer planning for the next year? What about the weekends I spend preparing for the next week? How about the $50 I just spent to buy little "goody bags" (water, snack, gum, pens) for a little encouragement for my AP kids/ or the daily treats I buy my homeroom during state testing time?

Further, personal days are meant to be used for "personal" matters. Going on vacation is a personal matter. I am permitted to use them; they are provided to be used. They are no different then vacation days for people in the private sector.

As a parent, I don't mind. I expect the same consideration that I provide when scheduling the days (I use "down days") and I trust my daughters' educators to do that.

Also, do you not think teachers with kids should take a day off to go to their own child's school events?

 

[crisi]

True enough, I suppose. But, judging by the $700 wedding gift they collected and the huge party they threw, no-one seemed super offended. A few of their older kids had even had the sub as a teacher. I just really can't believe you would begrudge a teacher a few days off for her wedding. What if my child is in the hospital for a week? Is it okay for me to take off then? A planned absence is way better prepared for than an unplanned one. For a planned one, I can get a good well-trusted and experienced sub. I will have good and current plans. For an unexpected absence, I have to hope I get someone good (many are great, but when the same subs come to the same school, they start to know the kids) and they follow my emergency plans done every quarter which are largely filler. If I were a sub, I would always take the advance jobs for sure!

Hospital can't be planned. Weddings can. I don't think teachers should take planned absences during the school year. If you expect to be respected like professionals, behave like professionals. Respect your business cycle.

 

[crisi]

Also, do you not think teachers with kids should take a day off to go to their own child's school events?

I don't get to take workdays off to go to my kid's school events if I'm booked or busy. I have to plan my vacations and days off around the business cycle. If I'm lucky enough that my kid's school schedules events when I'm not busy, I get to go. But I've missed concerts because I'm traveling several times. This IS NOT UNUSUAL in the working world.

 

[scrapquitler]

Doesn't bother me in the least,We all are entitled to a vacation and you have to realize that though teachers do have off from school in the summer and holidays, their SPOUSE might not and is at the mercy of whatever schedule his/her job may impose.Do those families not get a vacation then?I am not a teacher but a nurse.My husband is also in the medical field.We both have requirements and unfortunately if we EVER want a vacation together as a family, it means pulling my daughter out of school...I have no problems with teachers doing the same.

Not every teacher has a spouse who can get the school vacation weeks or those summer vacation weeks off. Sometimes their work schedule doesn't allow it, and sometimes they might not have enough seniority for those 'prime' vacation weeks. And not every teacher who has children has kids in a school district with the same exact vacation.

The bottom line is: IF THE TEACHER'S CONTRACT ALLOWS IT, THEN NOBODY SHOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.

 

[scrapquitler]

The OPs question is "how do I feel" - I feel like a teacher should be in the classroom nearly every day unless they are ill. And they should take vacations during school vacation times. A sanity day here or there, is fine with me - two days in a row, nope. I don't care if their boss approves the time, or if someone else's, or even my own child, will not suffer because the teacher is out, or if the sub pay comes from the teachers pocket, the question is "how do I feel." I feel that there are adequate vacation opportunities for teachers when school is not in session, and that if you want to vacation during the school year - but not over Spring Break or Christmas, you should pick a different profession. You made a commitment to teach kids - that happens when school is in session. Be there. Or pick a different job. Many kids require consistency in the classroom. If you can't provide it - teaching is NOT your calling.

You may feel differently. This is how I feel.

Wow. Then you better talk to the board of ed in my town, because not only do they allow teachers to take personal days, they send teachers to professional workshops ON SCHOOL DAYS, which requires a sub to teach their classes. When my DD was in 4th grade, her teacher was one of the reading specialists for our districts. That teacher was gone at least a half a day or a day every two weeks for different conferences, workshops, grant proposal meetings, etc. Each time, a sub was brought it. I think she was out at least 20 days during the year doing this type of thing. Each time, there was a sub. How is that not worse than if she took a few days to go on vacation?