What do you think about the TEACHER taking time off for a vacation?

[Ember]

I'm a supply teacher right now and leaving on the 27th for a week. For me it's not a big deal, I just take myself out of the booking system and don't accept any jobs for the week I'm gone. But it got me thinking...

There's a lot of debate on these boards about taking a child out of school. I was wondering about how parents felt about their child's teacher taking a week off for vacation. Does a teacher have the same rights to a vacation with their family? Or does their responsibility to your child (and the other students) mean they travel during the times you avoid by pulling your child out? I'm not looking for a heated debate, but one day (hopefully!) I will have my own classroom and I really am curious what people thought.

 

[Aidensmom]

No big deal to me, teachers have a life outside of school, but really I don't think school districts allow that. My mom is a teacher, and while she can take personal days for medical, etc. reasons, she can't just take a vacation during school.

 

[Ember]

but really I don't think school districts allow that.

Some do and some don't. Depends on the school board. I know teachers who have done it, so in my district it is possible. Though I'm not sure of the details on anything like this...

 

[castleview]

Back when I taught, I felt blessed to have the vacation time I had - and I had plenty of time to vacation during those alloted times. However, I had a colleague whose fiance was military and had no control over his time off. She did take a week off in October to get married and go on her honeymoon and no one seemed to have a problem with that.

Personally, I found preparing and recovering from a day off (even when I was deathly ill) was more of a headache than just going to work.

 

[mom2cinderella]

I don't know if our district allows it or not. I don't think any of the kids' teachers have taken off more than a day or two for weddings, funerals, illness, etc.

Anyhoo, it wouldn't really bother me.

Michele

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

For me, it's just like taking your kids out of school. A personal decision that is no one else's business. But I know a few people that would feel like the teacher shouldn't be allowed. I'm more of a live and let live type.

 

[Kathi OD]

My district allows teachers who have a 12 month contract to take vacation time during the school year, provided they use only their personal days or take the days w/o pay. Teachers who have 10 month contracts are not permitted to take school year vacations.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

My dad has been teaching for over 30 years. The only times he's ever taken a week off from school was when my dance company (that my twin and I were in at the time) danced at WDW and when my dance company danced at the Sydney, Australia Olympics in 2000. Both of those times were VERY important to me and I wanted my parents there. Sure my dad wasn't in school for a week, but he spent time with his family and I feel that is very important. My dad used to stay at school until 11pm at night working. After his heart attack last year, now he's home more often. Sadly, he missed a lot of time at home with his family because of school and the responsibilty he felt for his students. I'm glad that for those two occations he was a dad first.

As for my twin, she's a teacher also and her contract states that they can't take more than 2 personal days off at a time during the school year.

As far as I'm concerned, a teacher is a person first and everybody deserves a vacation.

 

[tinabheart]

I guess my feeling is that you get three months off in the summer...and extended time during holiday's...

If it's so important for our kids to not miss a day of school (which I understand, but have been known to give my son a mental health day) then I think the teacher should be there, unless it is an emergency, or he/she needs a mental health day!

This is no flame to sub's - but seriously, I don't ever remember accomplishing too much when our teacher's were gone.

 

[Ember]

I guess my feeling is that you get three months off in the summer...and extended time during holiday's...

If it's so important for our kids to not miss a day of school (which I understand, but have been known to give my son a mental health day) then I think the teacher should be there, unless it is an emergency, or he/she needs a mental health day!

This is no flame to sub's - but seriously, I don't ever remember accomplishing too much when our teacher's were gone.

So you support the idea that a child shouldn't be taken out of school for a vacation as they receive the same holidays (actually more, as some days off for students are PD days for teachers)?

If so, that's cool. I'm just checking what your position is, not trying to start something, honest!

 

[CPM]

I think it's fine as long as they have a competent substitute.
I don't think our district really allows it, but I do know my son's teacher took a week off this year for her sister's wedding that was out of the country. I didn't notice any disruption in his class while she was away.

It would really stink if a teacher couldn't take the same time off as the spouse. I have heard of this happening. The spouse can't get summer or holidays off and the teach the opposite. I would hope they would make some kind of adjustment for that situation.

 

[Grand Canyon]

If you have the vacation days you should be able to use them.
As a parent, I hate to see other teachers I don't know in my child's classroom. I believe the relationship between the student and teacher is important, especially in the younger grades. However, if comes back to: the student is required to be there to learn - the teacher has a job with (supposed) benefits.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

In my town's school district, I know teachers who take a week (and more even) of vacation during the school year. The teachers who can do this are the 20 plus year vets. I know a teacher who does it every year, so I guess it's not a big deal if you "paid your dues" already.

 

[tinabheart]

So you support the idea that a child shouldn't be taken out of school for a vacation as they receive the same holidays (actually more, as some days off for students are PD days for teachers)?

If so, that's cool. I'm just checking what your position is, not trying to start something, honest!

I think that removing a child from the classroom is different then removing the teacher. I have taken my son out of school for vacation - not something I purposely do, but don't hesitate if needed, and he's doing ok academically. But, it doesn't affect 25 other kids. A teacher going on vacation affects everyone.

This isn't some big issue with me ... never really thought about it much until this thread today.

 

[Diva of Dragons]

Is a "supply" teacher a substitute?? If so, I really don't see the problem. That, to me, would be one of the perks of subbing....making your own schedule!!

 

[Mermaid02]

If they have the vacation time- as far as I'm concerned they can take it when they want to.

 

[aprilgail2]

Ours do it all the time. For the martin luther holiday my daughters teacher took off the Firday before, then the holiday and then Tues and Wed after it and she was on vacation in Florida. I am fine with it as long as they don't give ME a hard time when I take my kid out of school for vacation too! Our school doesn't end until June 27th this year. We are leaving June 19th for Disney and not coming home until the 26th. That is the week I have vacation from work so that is when we go.

 

[MushyMushy]

I think that removing a child from the classroom is different then removing the teacher. I have taken my son out of school for vacation - not something I purposely do, but don't hesitate if needed, and he's doing ok academically. But, it doesn't affect 25 other kids. A teacher going on vacation affects everyone.

This isn't some big issue with me ... never really thought about it much until this thread today.

Actually, as long as the teacher has written good, detailed plans and the school has hired a competent sub, a teacher taking a week off shouldn't affect the kids anymore than a blip on their radar. In our school district, subs are required to be fully certified.

A kid missing, on the other hand, causes extra work, which I've found out a few times this year. It affects the groups they're working in, plus I've spent quite a lot of my own time at home writing up extra lessons for them while they're away. I'd love to send them off with a "Don't worry about homework, just have fun!" We're not really allowed to do that. I certainly don't begrudge them that, but people shouldn't think it doesn't cause any hassle whatsoever. (my own personal vent here -- I'm doing all this extra work at home despite the fact that I'm not even earning a teacher's starting salary... I'm on a daily sub's wage )

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher here...I do it every year...

The reading teacher at my school just checked into the Poly yesterday.
I'm soooo jealous!!

***BTW, my county has crappy vacations for teachers....for Easter, we get 3 days off, and that's our only spring break.
Between Easter Monday & Memorial Day (March 24-May 26), we don't get even ONE day off.
We have 8 straight full weeks...not even an early dismissal in there.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm a supply teacher right now and leaving on the 27th for a week. For me it's not a big deal, I just take myself out of the booking system and don't accept any jobs for the week I'm gone. But it got me thinking...

There's a lot of debate on these boards about taking a child out of school. I was wondering about how parents felt about their child's teacher taking a week off for vacation. Does a teacher have the same rights to a vacation with their family? Or does their responsibility to your child (and the other students) mean they travel during the times you avoid by pulling your child out? I'm not looking for a heated debate, but one day (hopefully!) I will have my own classroom and I really am curious what people thought.

For me it would depend on the reason.

If he or she has a spouse in the military or if the spouse isn't able to vacation during school breaks - I wouldn't have a problem


If he or she was vacationing during school time to avoid crowds, heat or to save money, then I'd be upset.

(Of course I'd never know why the teacher decided to vacation during the school year)

I schedule our trips during school breaks. If it's at all possible, I expect my son’s teachers to do the same.