Teachers and spouses of teachers unite!

[Hubalorian]

You have a point, but that argues on why we need to do more for our teachers yes? The shortage is not due lack of dedicated people, its due to the economic and time pressures that forces good people to decide Teaching is not a viable career decision for them. All the more reason why Disney making life a bit easier for Teachers might be a good thing.

I am not arguing against recognizing teachers for the work they do, I am married to a Music Teacher. So I am very familiar with both the pros and cons that come along with teaching.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I am not arguing against recognizing teachers for the work they do, I am married to a Music Teacher. So I am very familiar with both the pros and cons that come along with teaching.

I didn't think you were per se.. but this thread keeps veering away from the simple question should Disney give teachers discounts to some wider issues including whats good for the goose should be for the gander... and I keep trying to return from in general to the actual thread question. With your perspective, would you vote then for Disney to give a discount?

 

[ray3127]

While I would love to see teachers get more ownership of their days off, between the two choices of A) teachers discount or B) teacher's allowed vacation time gets changed, Disney can only bring about A. It's big, but not that big as to influence B. And if they did grant it, on a trial basis, they could always pivot if whoever is in charge gets off the butt and brings about B.

True, Disney can't control B.

The problem with teachers getting more autonomy over their days isn’t just the national teacher shortage, it’s the substitute shortage as well. How can teachers have autonomy over theirs days if they can’t find a substitute?

I understand what you're saying, but here's how it plays out now:

Without autonomy, teachers don't pre-schedule things, and simply call in sick. So either way, the building needs a sub.

Calling in the night before or morning of is a harder job to fill. My wife is OFTEN asked to cover classes during her plan periods because of this.

A pre-scheduled absence means pre-arranging a sub, which is better for all involved (students, teachers, office staff, admin).

Since your husband is a teacher, I am curious how the days are handled where you are?

You have a point, but that argues on why we need to do more for our teachers yes? The shortage is not due lack of dedicated people, its due to the economic and time pressures that forces good people to decide Teaching is not a viable career decision for them. All the more reason why Disney making life a bit easier for Teachers might be a good thing.

I would argue that a great way to do this is to honor our teachers' time, and let them take their days as they see fit. In my wife's district, 12 days should be 12 days (with exceptions like I mentioned).

 

[Hubalorian]

Since your husband is a teacher, I am curious how the days are handled where you are?

I am the husband my wife is the teacher. Are you asking her leave policy? She get sick days (pre scheduled dr appointments fall into this category, no note required unless abuse is suspected), and 3 personal days a year. She can also take “unpaid leave” if she exceeds those three personal days. Administrator approval is required for both personal and unpaid leave. She’s lucky that she has good administration (personal opinion).

 

[ray3127]

I am the husband my wife is the teacher. Are you asking her leave policy? She get sick days (pre scheduled dr appointments fall into this category, no note required unless abuse is suspected), and 3 personal days a year. She can also take “unpaid leave” if she exceeds those three personal days. Administrator approval is required for both personal and unpaid leave. She’s lucky that she has good administration (personal opinion).

Whoops, sorry I can't read this morning!

Yes, that was my question. I forgot about the unpaid leave, we have that as well. Though most people just use the pre-scheduled doctor excuse. My wife has pretty good admin as well, so we haven't run into trouble.

I just looked at Feb/Mar/Apr 2026 cruises, and frankly all of this may be a moot point pretty soon. Prices seem to have skyrocketed so much, that I'm not sure there's such thing as a "cheap" week any more, and a discount won't make much of a dent!

 

[Hubalorian]

Whoops, sorry I can't read this morning!

Yes, that was my question. I forgot about the unpaid leave, we have that as well. Though most people just use the pre-scheduled doctor excuse. My wife has pretty good admin as well, so we haven't run into trouble.

I just looked at Feb/Mar/Apr 2026 cruises, and frankly all of this may be a moot point pretty soon. Prices seem to have skyrocketed so much, that I'm not sure there's such thing as a "cheap" week any more, and a discount won't make much of a dent!

I am personally fine with a teachers discount, however I am also fine with waiting until the summer and hop on whatever cruise has a last minute occupant deal. I forget what that is called? However, cruising will be on hold for a few years with my wife expecting our 2nd and 3rd child.

 

[Lumpy1106]

In the year before my oldest was born I went on a lot of ski/snowboard trips. We'd leave Thursday night and sometimes not come back until Tuesday, conditions permitting. The guy I carpooled with most often was a teacher. Just saying...

 

[Pens Fan]

While I doubt Disney would ever offer a teacher's discount, it's not unheard of in the cruise industry:

https://www.ncl.com/teachers

 

[MalvernPa]

I think the impetus to this suggestion is that teachers are not free to travel year round and hence can not pick their timing for the cheapest cruises as could fast food workers, retail sales clerks, grocery baggers, law enforcement, high school dropouts, illegal aliens, and snarky forum posters. Teachers can only easily cruise during peak holiday demand times.

But teachers have other benefits that people working in corporate America don't have....

 

[Hubalorian]

But teachers have other benefits that people working in corporate America don't have....

Outside of contracted days that typically do not include summer months, what benefits do you speak of? However, I know many teachers who work extended school year, summer school, or part time at the local dollar general to make it?

 

[MalvernPa]

Outside of contracted days that typically do not include summer months, what benefits do you speak of? However, I know many teachers who work extended school year, summer school, or part time at the local dollar general to make it?

180 work days vs 260 work days (not including the many weekends required to be worked and being on call/emails 24/7)
Every holiday off vs lucky to get day off
7 hours/day vs. 12 hours or more/day
Government pension plan vs.... Nothing
Union negotiated benefits vs... Pay through the nose benefits.
Job security vs. Getting laid off to make quartly profits


I have great respect for teachers and they do a great service for society.

.....

 

[tvguy]

Outside of contracted days that typically do not include summer months, what benefits do you speak of? However, I know many teachers who work extended school year, summer school, or part time at the local dollar general to make it?

It depends on district. Here are some the benefits of the school district I live in.
>Free medical, dental, vision and life insurance for life.
>Pension plan pays 2% of your final years pay for each year you work with annual cost of living adjustments. If I had been a teacher, my 42 years would have earned me a pension equal to 84% of my final years pay.
>401k/403 additional retirement benefit option
>Exempt from Social Security withholding so your take home pay is 6.2% higher. The bad, you won't get Social Security benefits.
> Stipends for coaching a sport, leading a choir or band, having special needs students in your class.
> Continuing education tuition required to keep your teaching credential paid for, AND nets you a pay raise.
> If you have young children, having a work schedule similar to yours saves you thousands in child care costs.
> One week off for Thanksgiving. Two weeks off for Christmas. One week off for Presidents Day. One week off for Easter break.

 

[Hubalorian]

180 work days vs 260 work days (not including the many weekends required to be worked and being on call/emails 24/7)
Every holiday off vs lucky to get day off
7 hours/day vs. 12 hours or more/day
Government pension plan vs.... Nothing
Union negotiated benefits vs... Pay through the nose benefits.
Job security vs. Getting laid off to make quartly profits


I have great respect for teachers and they do a great service for society.

.....

180 work days vs 260 isn’t exactly apple to apples. It’s just the difference of the days required by the contract, which means they are only paid for 180 days of work, not 260

Parents demanding 24/7 response time from teachers during nights, weekends, and even breaks. Principals holding teachers to this standard. Grading papers outside of those 7 hour work day. Volunteer time that is expected but unpaid. You get labeled as villainous if you “let the kids down” if you don’t decide to dedicate your time or even weekends. Not accounting for losing your planning time which isn’t uncommon meaning you have to plan outside those 7 hours.

Retirement plan that is mandated we participate in, atleast in my state. Both pros and cons with this plan, since you are contributing out of your paycheck and you have a minimum that must come out. Mostly good though.

Most counties in my state do not have a union. It’s actually illegal to “strike” with the state being able to revoke your license if you do.

Job security is much better vs other job markets.

However, these great benefits get you a starting salary 44,530 on average in the U.S and requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a masters preferred. If this still sounds like a great deal, please be a career switcher, we need more teachers!

Fun chart from the National Center for Education Statistics. Looking like Teachers work closer to 53 hours a week. Which means, teachers roughly work 17.7 hours a week, unpaid.

 

[tvguy]

However, these great benefits get you a starting salary 44,530 on average in the U.S and requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a masters preferred. If this still sounds like a great deal, please be a career switcher, we need more teachers!

Just remember, that may be better than other jobs. Like I posted, switching to teaching is one of the more popular second careers for TV station employees.

 

[Cfabar1]

Just remember, that may be better than other jobs. Like I posted, switching to teaching is one of the more popular second careers for TV station employees.

Generally speaking, teachers don't have the ability to leverage their talent and classroom ability into a higher wage. They can change jobs by going into administration and make more, or they can leave teaching altogether, and often make more, though certainly not always.

Teachers have, generally speaking, a low growth career plan. I would imagine TV station employees, particularly strong on-air talent can move from market to market and climb the ladder. I would imagine that working for a small local access station might pay significantly less than say David Muir makes anchoring ABC World News Tonight. While there are pay disparities from region or school district or state, I doubt they are even close to as jarring as the anchor hosting a local access show a half hour a night and David Muir hosting World News Tonight. Talent, luck, connections, and a variety of factors allows for TV news anchors, producers, etc. to move from company to company and have a large increase in pay if the company thinks it makes sense to hire at that rate.

 

[Hubalorian]

Just remember, that may be better than other jobs. Like I posted, switching to teaching is one of the more popular second careers for TV station employees.

I am not saying teaching isn’t better than some jobs. It is, however far from a field of dandelions or a cakewalk. Just remember, 12% of teachers left the profession in 2023. Not transferring to another school, but leaving it all together.

 

[tvguy]

Generally speaking, teachers don't have the ability to leverage their talent and classroom ability into a higher wage. They can change jobs by going into administration and make more, or they can leave teaching altogether, and often make more, though certainly not always.

Teachers have, generally speaking, a low growth career plan. I would imagine TV station employees, particularly strong on-air talent can move from market to market and climb the ladder. I would imagine that working for a small local access station might pay significantly less than say David Muir makes anchoring ABC World News Tonight. While there are pay disparities from region or school district or state, I doubt they are even close to as jarring as the anchor hosting a local access show a half hour a night and David Muir hosting World News Tonight. Talent, luck, connections, and a variety of factors allows for TV news anchors, producers, etc. to move from company to company and have a large increase in pay if the company thinks it makes sense to hire at that rate.

TV really is a low growth career path. My wife and I both did the same jobs for 42 years. When we started top scale pay was pretty good. But I basically topped out on the pay scale after 5 years. But it what we wanted to do for a living

 

[tvguy]

I am not saying teaching isn’t better than some jobs. It is, however far from a field of dandelions or a cakewalk. Just remember, 12% of teachers left the profession in 2023. Not transferring to another school, but leaving it all together.

Not everyone is cut out for every job. I don't have any scientific stats on turnover, I just know that in the three years since I retired, of the six positions, nobody has lasted a year. 18 people have come in gone since I left.
We have huge teacher turnover here, but that's due to retirement, not leaving for other jobs.

 

[Kwami]

I understand what you're saying, but here's how it plays out now:

Without autonomy, teachers don't pre-schedule things, and simply call in sick. So either way, the building needs a sub.

Calling in the night before or morning of is a harder job to fill. My wife is OFTEN asked to cover classes during her plan periods because of this.

A pre-scheduled absence means pre-arranging a sub, which is better for all involved (students, teachers, office staff, admin).

Yeah, sure, but people in this thread are talking about allowing teachers to pre-arrange an entire 1-2 week break in advance. Substitute teachers are great babysitters, but they're not very effective teachers*. The students would really be the ones losing out if their teacher was gone for 1-2 weeks.

*I'm sure that someone is going to tell me about some amazing substitute teacher that they knew once or something. But, that's not typical. If they were great teachers, then they'd probably be hired as full time teachers since we're so desperate to get more of them. Also, they don't know the kids or the class or anything. They're basically starting from scratch and trying to implement someone else's lesson plans. That's tough!

 

[ray3127]

Yeah, sure, but people in this thread are talking about allowing teachers to pre-arrange an entire 1-2 week break in advance. Substitute teachers are great babysitters, but they're not very effective teachers*. The students would really be the ones losing out if their teacher was gone for 1-2 weeks.

*I'm sure that someone is going to tell me about some amazing substitute teacher that they knew once or something. But, that's not typical. If they were great teachers, then they'd probably be hired as full time teachers since we're so desperate to get more of them. Also, they don't know the kids or the class or anything. They're basically starting from scratch and trying to implement someone else's lesson plans. That's tough!

Yep, I sure am. I think pre-arranging a week is a reasonable request.

I'm not talking about a random day here or there. In those cases, I agree with you on the effect of a sub.

But when you can pre-arrange with a preferred sub, actual learning can/does take place. You can plan with the sub, and after a day or two the sub gets to know the students (which as you point out, is important). The more we can do this, the better.

I'm just explaining how it currently works if a teacher wants to take a few days (or a week) off. At least where I live, teachers are incentivized to not pre-arrange things, and instead call in at the last minute. How is that better?

I'll add this: teachers generally don't like to be gone for extended periods. Like other jobs, it is often more work to be gone and catch up than if they just came into work. Even with a pre-arranged sub, there is much work to do upon returning. But if they can save $2,000 on a family trip by traveling during a certain week, then the tradeoff may be worth it. I believe they should have that choice.

If we're going to give teachers 'x' number of days per year, then just give them the days. Some districts do this, and I haven't heard any horror stories about how disastrous it turns out to be. Rather, it improves morale and makes it an attractive place to work.