Wow it took me forever to read this whole thread.
First to respond to original questions (I have a Master's degree but have not figured out how to quote):
--in my district we can choose to be paid 12 months or 26 checks. It lessens my check but I know my own habits and would be stone broke in August if I didn't do this. In addition, when my own kids start school in August they always need lots of $ for fees, etc. so I really need those summer checks.
--we have vacations at Thanksgiving (3 days), Christmas (up to 2 weeks, depends on the calendar and what day the holiday falls on), Easter (Good Friday plus a week) and the standard Federal holidays--Labor, MLK, President's, and Memorial. We started about Aug. 21 this year and will finish June 5. We get 1 1/4 sick days added to our total every month (15 a year) and I'm up to 62, as I used them all up and went to zero once for each child.
BTW, for the poster who mentioned teachers having babies in the spring, it's just the smart thing to do. I had DD#1 on March 2, took off the rest of the year (only 6 weeks paid though, before FMLA) and was with her for 6 months. Before I had her I thought 6 weeks would be plenty, but what did I know! I had DD#2 April 11--got 4 1/2 months with her. Had DS June 10 after school was out--took 1st quarter off (again, only 6 weeks paid but at least benefits were paid for) and went back 11/2, got almost 5 months with him. Teachers who have babies in November, January, etc. get less time with their babies. And FWIW, my "babies" will always trump my students.
--We also get 3 personal days. We cannot take them the day before or after any holiday period. We are allowed to take up to 5 unpaid days, depending on how many years we have taught. I could take 5, but fortunately DH has been able to take vacations when I do. Twice in my life I took 2 personal days in December to do 4 day WDW weekends. Other than that it's been summer, Christmas, or (this year) spring break.
I don't really plan on ever taking a whole week during the school year, but in the future if one of my kids plans a destination wedding, I wouldn't hesitate. And I don't judge teachers who take long weekends in Vegas with their personal days (I need mine for kids' activities, usually, like working the elementary Halloween party).
--I subbed way back in the late 80s before I got this job in 1988. I remember one day a Spanish teacher left me detailed lessons that expected me to actually know Spanish. I am certified to teach English, speech and theatre arts, grades 7-12. So not much got done that day. I also remember subbing for a 6th grade teacher who had 30 SBH hellions in his class on a 1/2 day so he could close on his house. I was back 2 days later so his wife could have her baby. He had my "sub review" on his desk and was asking that I not be used for him again, because one girl wrote on her desk. Every time I saw that guy from that point I wanted to spit in his eye. Those kids had no discipline and he expected them to sit for a 23 year old girl with their hands folded angelically? Subs can tell which teachers have a handle on their classes and which ones don't. My students (and I teach 12th graders) know if a sub writes their name down specifially, i.e. "Fred would not do his work and was disruptive", they automatically get a before-school detention!
And one more thing....my DD#2 had her pre-school graduation the day before Memorial Day weekend (not my scheduling, but her school's). I asked for a personal day since I felt that was very important. I was denied. So I called in sick. The Principal asked me the next week was I really sick, or at the graduation, and I was honest, so I was docked a day's pay. My Union rep said I should have just lied! So 3 years later, same situation with DS graduating from preschool....you can bet I called in sick. I tried to be honest, and I guess they expected me to miss that occasion since they denied me. Now please no debates about whether that is an important thing, don't let's get off track with that. But sometimes even the union tells you to work the system.
Robin M.
I got a digital photo frame for Christmas and I am currently looking at vacation pictures from last summer. I can't wait until August!
I can't say it enough... mind your own business. My administration allows me to take days off. If I earn my days off I can use them for whatever I want, regardless of whether or not other people find it "reasonable." Use or don't use your own days off as you wish and don't worry about other people.
The Board of Ed in your area should hire more adequate subs if your child doesn't learn anything with them. That has never happened to me so I'm sorry that it's the case with your child. But don't you dare tell me that I can't use my earned days off because your tax dollars pay teacher's salaries 
I'm ready for a pity party). I get paid a whopping $85 a day (less than some of the secretaries and custodians there!) and I'm expected to do everything a regular teacher does. That means putting in a lot of extra time at home, and often being treated like a second class citizen IN the school because I'm "just" a sub.
Hope you have a great night! 
