Teachers and Disney

[palavra]

If you think it is o.k. to take your child out of school for a week or so to go to Disney, do you think it is o.k. for teachers to take a week's leave during the school year to go to Disney?

 

[imthatgirl]

Sure. I have never been under the impression that that teacher is the only person who can teach my child.

 

[bamamolly]

I don't see a problem with it as long as there is a substitute in place, it shouldn't matter much. It's just a week and I totally understand wanting to take a family during "off-times" rather than the summer. Teachers have families too.

 

[clarabelle13]

Hmm, I think it's often frowned upon for teacher's to take a week off during the year for vacation purposes. Although I can understand the temptation, since school vacation weeks tend to be awfully busy! I have family members who work in the public school system, and sometimes we have taken additional days after a long weekend (Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving) to try and bend the rules!

 

[wildeflowers]

I do not take my children out of school to go on vacation. I personally think it sets a bad example, but to each his own. My son has a classmate who took a week off to go to WDW, but she gets straight A's, without question, so I suppose she can "afford" a week off.

What teachers do with their vacation or personal time is none of my business, and has little relevance to students taking a week off.

 

[everydaymathchick]

I teach high school, and I took 5 days off to go to WDW last year. I left my students with a well qualified sub (a woman who had student taught at our school and would have been hired with us except she chose to work on her Masters degree first). My principal was excited for me since it was a trip with family, and he knew it was a once in a lifetime type trip. We went when we could afford to go (January) and when the crowds would be low. I didn't shout about it at work letting everyone and my students know where I was going though... It was a GREAT experience, and I'd do it again! My students were wonderful for the sub, and she continued my lessons as I would have.

Consequently - when school was called off for a week in May for the Swine Flu [paranoia], we took a spontaneous trip back to our Happy Place (just me, DSis, and her 2 kiddos). Turns out school was called back on (with no warning that this could happen) for Thursday and Friday. Again, my principal said to have fun and he'd handle a sub. (Over half our kids didn't show for Thursday and Friday!) He knew that the sudden return to school would mess several teachers and students up and was eager to see my pictures when I returned. I have an amazing boss who is very focused on family.

BTW - I took days that I saved up. My lesson plans were detailed and nothing was changed just because I had a sub - she did all the exact same things I would have done, and she met with me ahead of time. Before you flame me for leaving my students because I "knew the schedule before I took the job" think about your job. You get days off that you can take off right? Personal days? People count on you at your job, and when you take those personal days, as long as you leave it without consequence to others, it's your business. Family, for me, will always come over a job. That's why when students have opportunities to do something like this, I always work to help them catch up (ahead of time if possible, so they can enjoy themselves). To each her own.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't think teachers should take a week off. They get 3 months during the summer and should be professional enough to work during the 9 months they have school. They knew the work schedule when they chose that job.

It is your choice to take your kids BUT I don't think the schools or teachers should have to bend over backward to catch them up or give them special work or adjustments. Now in the younger grades I don't think it matters much but after elementary school I think it should be avoided.

 

[ancestry]

This is apples and oranges. I don't get the implied correlation.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Yes - We have had several teachers do this over the years. Our children were none the worse for the experience.

 

[dphie28]

I am a teacher and I am doing a short trip in just 31 days. 10 years ago, DH and I honeymooned in WDW and said we would return for this milestone. At the time, I was not a teacher. I started teaching the year after! Anyway, in order for me to go, I added 2 personal days and 1 no-pay day to the 3 day weekend (Memorial Day). No one has ever been encouraged to take time off during the year...in fact, I had knots in my stomach when things didn't work out as expected for me. We usually have off the Friday before Memorial Day, but due to snow days, we have school. That's why I have to take it without pay. I have no other personal days and I can't call out sick at that time. my principal, though not happy, only requested that I find a single sub that could do the 3 days, not a different sub for each day. I will never do this again, though, because as it is, our district adds a comment to your end of year evaluation if you miss 6 ore more days of work in a year (and that is for any reason! sick days, personal days, child illness, death, etc.).

Hannathy - in NJ we do not get 3 months off...we are off for 1 week in June, 4 weeks in July and 3 weeks in August. That is a total of 8 weeks, not 12.

everydaymathchick - you are very lucky!!!!

 

[Tippurr_2004]

First, I do NOT get three months off. At best, I get 2 1/2 months off and during that time I am often taking classes or doing things to prepare for the coming school year.
Second, in my school, at least, we can bank up to 5 days personal leave to use in any manner that we see fit. My union bargained for that right. If I choose to use those days to go to WDW, it is my business and no one else's.
I seldom take a personal day and rarely take a sick day. I love my job and the kids I teach. I don't think I am slighting anyone when, every 5 years or so, I take a week off to go to WDW. Anyone who disagrees with me is certainly entitled to their opinion.

Now, on with the debate!

 

[princessmom29]

This is apples and oranges. I don't get the implied correlation.

The implied correlation is that if teachers should be expected not to take off any days other than the summer, as your child's education will suffer if they do, how will that education suffer any less if you choose totake that child away from the teacher's instruction for a week to go on vacation? Not siding either way, just pointing out the obvious implication here.

 

[princessmom29]

I don't think teachers should take a week off. They get 3 months during the summer and should be professional enough to work during the 9 months they have school. They knew the work schedule when they chose that job.

It is your choice to take your kids BUT I don't think the schools or teachers should have to bend over backward to catch them up or give them special work or adjustments. Now in the younger grades I don't think it matters much but after elementary school I think it should be avoided.

What if the teacher has enough alloted personal days to cover it? Personal days are just that, personal. There doesn't have to be any reason given to use them. I go in the off season by combining school holidays with personal days.

 

[declansdad]

If there is a legitimate reason for this being the only time you can take a family vacation, then my answer is yes to both questions. If there is no legitimate reason then no to both.

 

[justcantwait]

I say if the school district gives the teachers vacation, personal and sick time, they must think it's okay, therefore, it's fine with me. They're people too. Would you not want your doctor or your mail carrier to take time off because they're too valuable to you? My son's teacher is currently pregnant. She'll probably make it to the end of the school year, but should I expect her to plan her pregnancy around the school schedule? Of course not. I'm pulling my kids out of school in December for our trip because family is important to us. I would HOPE family is important to teachers too and they should be able to spend time with theirs, when and how they see fit.

Kathy

 

[everydaymathchick]

everydaymathchick - you are very lucky!!!!

Yes I am. I am very grateful for my principal and my school system when I read other stuff about teachers and days off on these boards. Honestly, I would follow my principal to another school if he left. I've heard from those far older and wiser than me that he is the best they've ever worked under.

 

[Hannathy]

Hannathy - in NJ we do not get 3 months off...we are off for 1 week in June, 4 weeks in July and 3 weeks in August. That is a total of 8 weeks, not 12.

/QUOTE]

So you want to nit pick? Really 8 weeks is still a lot of vacation time and much more than most people get in this country . I certainly think that a "professional" could find time in that 8 weeks to go to Disney.


As far as personal days I don't think they should be banked,. I think you should have to use your days that year and if you don't need them you shouldn't use them.

 

[cmcinc]

My DW is a teacher and she has taken days off from school to go to WDW. We have also taken my DD out of school too. Teachers have personal days to use. We are going again in October and luckily there is a 2 day break they have, so each will only be missing 2 other days.

 

[everydaymathchick]

Hannathy - in NJ we do not get 3 months off...we are off for 1 week in June, 4 weeks in July and 3 weeks in August. That is a total of 8 weeks, not 12.

/QUOTE]

So you want to nit pick? Really 8 weeks is still a lot of vacation time and much more than most people get in this country . I certainly think that a "professional" could find time in that 8 weeks to go to Disney.


As far as personal days I don't think they should be banked,. I think you should have to use your days that year and if you don't need them you shouldn't use them.

I appreciate your viewpoint. I'm just asking though - at your job, do you have personal days that you can take when you wish? Do your days roll over? I feel lucky that my days roll over, and I honestly hate it for people whose days don't.

As for the 8 weeks - that's in the hottest time of the year in Florida. Part of that is why I refuse to go in the summer. That's just me though. My next trip is over Thanksgiving break, meaning I won't take any days off.

Also, I am a professional (no quotes needed on that). I professionally choose when it is ok for me to take personal days, how to leave my students taken care of and learning at the best level they can, and what to do in my personal time.

Sorry, I don't typically get involved in debates on this board, but this is really a hot button issue for me. Teachers are people too, with families, with needs more than just in the summers. WHICH btw - we don't get paid for the summers; our pay is just spread out, and in that personal time in the summers most of us go to numerous trainings and work on our curriculum to better the education we give our students. So thanks, I took more than 5 days in the summer to work (for free) for my students, so I'll take 5 of my personal days during the year to spend time with my family in a place of my choosing.

I also take "mental health days" randomly through the year with my personal days because just like the kids, sometimes teachers need a day off too in order to come back and do their job to the best of their abilities.

If you have children - when your son or daughter's teacher is absent, do you always hear the reason they are out? Are you even entitled to that information? Would you walk up to her face and call her unprofessional when she teaches your child daily and takes time for her family? OK sorry, I need to be done here...

 

[princessmom29]

Hannathy - in NJ we do not get 3 months off...we are off for 1 week in June, 4 weeks in July and 3 weeks in August. That is a total of 8 weeks, not 12.

/QUOTE]

So you want to nit pick? Really 8 weeks is still a lot of vacation time and much more than most people get in this country . I certainly think that a "professional" could find time in that 8 weeks to go to Disney.


As far as personal days I don't think they should be banked,. I think you should have to use your days that year and if you don't need them you shouldn't use them.

that is not what personal days are. Ther are days alotted for PERSONAL use, for anything you wish to do. In our system no one is allowed to ask you the reason for a personal day. There is no "need" involved. That is how it is in every other profession, why should teachers be any different?