Teachers, how do you deal with it?

[bunnysmum]

(OP here...) I actually did end up taking a couple of days of my vacation last week without pay. I don't mind at all!! I just wanna go to Disney World! And now I really, really wanna go back!

I'm actually not a classroom teacher, but a related service provider who has the great fortune, apparently, to be in rather high demand nationwide, it seems. I entertained the fleeting thought that I could actually just take that job I know is open at a nearby university and enjoy their more flexible vacation schedule...but then I remembered how much I really love my job where I am currently! Don't think I wasn't momentarily tempted though! Almost started a thread entitled..."How many of you have changed jobs for your Disney habit??"

I am curious...how many of you fellow public school employees are permitted to take leave without pay (without taking much heat for it from your employer)??

The other thing is that I do some contract work for my school district during summer months, so I might possibly have a tiny bit of leverage there...("gee, I couldn't take my vacation during the summer because I was seeing all the kids who needed summer services for you guys..." )

 

[disneymarathoner07]

We are on year round school schedule-we go 9 weeks on then 2 weeks off 9 weeks on 2 weeks off, etc. for 4 rounds then we are off 8 weeks for summer. So we get the first 2 weeks of October off and the last week of March 1st week of april off then last 2 weeks of December for Christmas, then out for summer. My husband gets 4 weeks off a year so that helps on his side. I know that our school system makes you ask for permission to extend your vacation--not sure how easy or hard it is to get approval or the ramifications of doing so, I've never done it. Amanda Land

 

[slk537]

What about going the second school gets out in June? The earlier or later in summer you go, the better the crowds. And maybe the heat is a bit better in June?

Good luck!!!!

 

[bunnysmum]

Boy I wish we were on a year round schedule...it would make life so much easier for vacations. Oh wait...our schools aren't all air-conditioned! Never mind! (too bad!)

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

We are going in July and I just said to someone yesterday that the 90 dergee temps in my computer lab are just "pre-training" for July in Florida...they thought I was kidding...

 

[k_hase]

I too can't extend breaks without extenuating circumstances. They let me do it for my honeymoon by one day, after I explained how much money I would save by leaving one day early, the principal signed off!. And several years ago my best friend was getting married in Istanbul. As a social studies teacher I was able to plead my way into using personal time and sick days because this was a really unique one time kind of thing. I also had to agree to an unpaid day as well.

We've gone during feb. break week, but usually now we go in August. The heat isn't as terrible as everyone says because there are so many ways to beat it! The amount of shade/AC/water rides/waterparks makes it really easy in my opinion.

My parents live in Orlando now and I'm taking a personal day next week to extend the weekend and visit them for three nights, but its not the same as a vacation.

What always surprises me is the number of people who are amazed that I can't take a vacation when ever I want. I have to remind my friends in other industries that I can't "go then"...

 

[RedRover]

This is our first time going during Mardi Gras. Our school district allows 2 personal days that can be taken for whatever you want. We also get 8 sick days per year. Since we're off Monday-Wednesday during Mardi Gras week, I could use my 2 personal days for the Thursday and Friday.
However, my own kids are in a different district and are off the entire week, so we don't have to worry about any missed work.
This school year has been my toughest yet! I never knew how wild first graders could get. Definitely looking forward to my trip!
31 days to go!!!

I could have written this myself. This is MY LIFE (except my kids are in my school district). I am experiencing the most stressful, unhappy school term of my career and to say that I am looking forward to the two personal days I'm going to take after Mardi Gras is the understatement of the century. Even if my district docked for taking days after a holiday, at this point, I think I'd take being docked. I love my career, but right now I am at the breaking point and I NEEEEEEEEED some relief. Disney, here we come. We're not gonna cook, make beds, talk about work problems or stress over anything. OOOOWWEEEE I can't wait.
I'll see you there, Diznygurl.

 

[Quinn222]

As much as I love my district - for myself and my children - I have seriously considered moving to Florida for the warmth and to have the Dkids near their dad in Gainesville. Where are you that has a need for 500 teachers (man, that's a lot!)?

I'm in Saint Lucie County, but since we passed a class size referendum in the state many many districts are in need of teachers. The pay isn't usually as good as what you can get elsewhere but they are offering lots of incentives in most places.

 

[Kteacher]

I've gone during April vacation week -crowded, but we were able to manage, and in the summer-crowded and hot! I've also taken a 4 day trip over a long weekend where I've used a personal day to extend the trip. I'm doing that again next October for Columbus Day weekend I thought I was going again for April vacation '07, but it looks like we'll be doing another summer trip instead

 

[EEyorelover22]

I am a teacher and this may be our last trip for several years. We have kids that will be in driver's ed two summers in a row and with my son in football, that's the entire summer. We are only allowed 2 personal days and my kids play sports so all the holiday breaks are out since they have practice
So, I guess we can go again after this summer in 2009

 

[MiaSRN62]

I understand how some of the teachers here feel. I am not a teacher, but I sometimes wish I had their schedule (having the summer off). As a hospital RN, it's also very tough to get off. Summer and holidays are the most difficult times to get a vacation. We get 7 days off per year. During the summer, it's about a 50/50 chance you will get your week granted off because there is so much competition for summer time and the hospital can only give a few nurses off per day. Thus ALOT of unhappy, disappointed nurses and their families. It's so frustrating to plan airfare/hotel etc because they only let us know about 2-3 months prior whether or not we're getting off. We are also required to work alot of holidays. Seems every time my kids have off from school for holidays, I'm required to work.
I'm with you teachers........think I need to start looking for another place to work as well. Just wanted to let you all know I feel your pain.
On a side note, I'm not positive on the leave options at our local school district, but I do know for sure that some of my childrens' teachers have taken off for vacations during the school year ? I guess this is a district by district policy.

 

[tink2]

In 2004, we had a trip planned for Thanksgiving week. When the school calendar came out, we didn't get the whole week off. The policy at my district is that you can't take a day off before or after a holiday- no exceptions. So, the principal told me I could take 3 personal days and two days without pay. DH could not take off spring break- very busy time for his company. We went the first week of Dec.- couldn't take the week before b/c it would be the day after Thanksgiving break. Anyway, the low crowds made it worth the two days without pay. We are considering doing the same thing the next Dec.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

we never get our school calendar until it is to late to make ressies. I get a few extra days off being that I teach at a Catholic School. We usually get a few days off before Christmas. DH teaches at the H.S. and they dont get the same time off. We dont get the calendar until August and it is to late to plan. This year was a surprise as we didn't get the Friday off before (Saturday was Christmas Eve). I am glad we didn't make ressies. I can't wait until Christmas falls on a Tuesday again!!! WHOOPPEEE we will have a Disney Christmas.
Hmmm after reading the last post I am wondering if the Swan/Dolphin does not feel bad for us teachers and nurses and that is why we get a discount...because we can only go on vacations when it is PACKED or in the summer when it is hot!!

 

[Brian Noble]

I get lucky---our semester schedule is january through april, and so our "spring break" is actually the week after President's. Because so many parents are tied to UM's schedule, Ann Arbor schools *usually* have the same week off. The district also takes the week after Easter off, but we don't, as that's still in semester. So, we get to go when the weather is usually pretty good, but sandwiched between President's and "traditional" spring break crowds.

Last year, with the early Easter, the school district was off during P-week, and the University the week after. Happily, I was on sabbatical last year, so it didn't matter!

 

[Julia M]

(OP here...) I actually did end up taking a couple of days of my vacation last week without pay. I don't mind at all!! I just wanna go to Disney World! And now I really, really wanna go back!

I'm actually not a classroom teacher, but a related service provider who has the great fortune, apparently, to be in rather high demand nationwide, it seems. I entertained the fleeting thought that I could actually just take that job I know is open at a nearby university and enjoy their more flexible vacation schedule...but then I remembered how much I really love my job where I am currently! Don't think I wasn't momentarily tempted though! Almost started a thread entitled..."How many of you have changed jobs for your Disney habit??"

I am curious...how many of you fellow public school employees are permitted to take leave without pay (without taking much heat for it from your employer)??

The other thing is that I do some contract work for my school district during summer months, so I might possibly have a tiny bit of leverage there...("gee, I couldn't take my vacation during the summer because I was seeing all the kids who needed summer services for you guys..." )

I am also a related service provider (speech therapist). I have taken three trips to WDW.....one in August, one in December (during Xmas break) and one in April. I took a chance in December, and booked our trip. It turned out I didn't have to take any work days. For our trip in April, I took a week off. However, since I only work part time, I made up the days in advance, before we left. So, I just "rearranged" work days.

This June, I will also be "rearranging" days, as my oldest ds graduates from 8th grade, and I want to be able to be around.

I'm lucky though, I do an extremely specialized job in my district, and often work extra days to help out when needed (for example, I have worked full time so far this year, even though I don't want to), so I can often tweak things as needed. On the other hand, I've also paid my dues.....this is my 14th year in the district. I didn't do this in the beginning, when I had a more traditional, regular ed kind of job.

Julia

 

[helens042266]

I teach and my husband works construction...I get the summer off and his busiest time is the summer....so....it is always a difficult decision as to when to take vacation. My district, like so many others, will not let us take our personal days next to any scheduled days off....if they did, half the teachers would be out on vacation on those days

We are allowed to take days off without pay, but that is really not an option for me, so it is off to disney in June. We try to schedule our trips AS SOON as school lets out in June to avoid too much of the heat. The great thing about teaching is I can take a very long vacation in the summer (if I can find the funds )

Helen

 

[klmall]

DH and I did our first family trip the week before Thanksgiving and our principals let us use our 3 personal days and a sick day. Our school district allows use of leave before school breaks if subs are arranged etc.

After that as our DS grew older it got harder to arrange a good time to go and we tried various months, ending up at Easter the final two trips while he was in high school. We would take him out one day early to beat some of the traffic.

At first I hated the crowds of Easter but grew to really enjoy the warmer weather and longer park hours etc. I don't think we could stand summer at all!!!

We can take unpaid leave also but my DH would have a fit---a big salary loss in his opinion! Much of what people get to do with personal and sick leave is at the principal's discretion and staff generally plan carefully. Some teachers save their leave and take a particular week every year to go to WDW or Spain or wherever. Just like parents with their kids! I think our school district is enlightened enough to recognize that most teachers are also parents and want to have time with their families. I really look forward to going again in September and January when we retire in a year or so!

And yes, teachers have their summers off but many school systems do not pay teachers commensurate wages to others with college degrees and continuing college requirements to hold their jobs. I work with new teachers and every one of them is financially struggling and going to school at night and in the summers!

And thank goodness, next year's school calendar is finalized by November of the year before i.e. 2006-2007 was ready in November 2005.

FYI - (((((((Flame Retardant on)))))) A hint that most teachers and schools wouldn't agree with me recommending is for parents to take kids to WDW the first week of school in the fall (late August, early September). In our area so many kids trickle back into school anyway that week and in secondary school there are so many schedule changes etc. that far less gets done instructionally than almost any other week! Yes, teams start practicing earlier etc. but for many middle and high school kids that week is a good week to miss. If we both hadn't been teachers we would have gone with our son that week!

 

[polkadotminnie]

I am an elementary teacher. We usually go Fall Break (Columbus Week). Since my girls are cheering there in March this year (the week before Spring Break), I had to take 3 days personal leave. It can't get here soon enough....

 

[RuddClan]

I am uk math teacher looking to emmigrate to florida. My problem is that the visa I need has to be applied for by my employer (school/district) in April/May and I won't be able to start until 1st October. How is this possible? Anyone know a out of country teacher that has actually done it???

 

[Danauk]

My DH and I teach in the UK too and we are not allowed any personal days. We have our main holiday either the last 2 weeks of August or this year we went to WDW for 2 weeks over Christmas. I prefered the Christmas trip to be honest as the weather was nice (not too hot like August and no rain unlike August). Even though the August trip was very quiet I didn't think the crowds at Christmas were bad at all, we managed to get everything done we wanted to. When ever we travel it is expensive so we have a few years between our US holidays to save up and make sure we then go for 2 weeks to make it worth while.