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

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I have enough days to take more than a month also but I would never do it. It's just not reasonable.

In 2005, I took a month off of my job to take a cross country trip with my family. It was a trip that we had been planning for years, and basically the planning started when we thought that my mom had cancer. Thankfully, everything was fine, but we still took the trip and it was wonderful! My mom had enough vacation days earned up at work, and since my dad and my sister are both teachers, we did have to worry about them (I'm sure many people on this thread would be excited about that!). What I am trying to say is if my employer and my mom's employer was ok with the fact that we took a month off for vacation, why aren't you? You may not see it as reasonable, but let me tell you, I took so much knowledge from that trip back to my job that it was truly a learning experience.

Thanks but no thanks the people on this thread are grouchy. I go on vacation to get away from grouches.

btw how on earth do you spell the plural of grouch? I think I had a sub that day.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing about some other people on this thread!

I am confident enough to say that my children won't fall into an abyss of dim-witted nirvana if they have a substitute teacher.

If you are involved in your child's life and take an active role in their education, a couple of days without their teacher won't change their educational experience.

What always makes me laugh is when people complain about teachers who are out for an extended period of time with an illness, like cancer. I'm sure that they wanted their body to get sick just so they could get out of school. I've known at least 2 teachers from my dad's school who have passed away from cancer over the years and it hurts me everytime somebody complains about that situation. Instead of being mad at the teacher for getting sick, the parents should use it as an opportunity to teach their children compassion, not hatred towards their teachers. (I may get flamed for saying that, but at this point, I don't care.)

 

[refrig]

I can't speak for other areas of the country, but here is an article from our local paper that might put things into perspective (at least for the Phila subburbs):

Teachers should consider themselves fortunate

The newspaper story reported that seven Bucks County public school districts and technical schools are among the top 10 in the state for highest average teacher salaries.
That shouldn't surprise too many people around here. Pennsylvania ranks ninth among the states with an average teacher salary of more than $53,000, so it figures that affluent Bucks County would exceed the state average.
Council Rock has the highest average teacher paycheck at $84,612 annually. It was followed by Neshaminy ($81,816), Bensalem ($78,885), Pennsbury ($78,047), Middle Bucks technical school ($76,863) Upper Bucks technical school ($74,906) and Quakertown ($74,375).
Centennial was 20th in the state at $70,642. New Hope-Solebury ($70,154) ranked 22nd, and Pennridge ($70,153) was 23rd.
Well, everybody knows teachers here are paid well, and it doesn't really matter how we feel about their compensation because it is what it is.
But teacher pay needs to be put into some kind of perspective.
The U.S. Department of Labor tracks a lot of data about the work force, including salaries and hours worked.
If you look at its statistics for the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region in 2007, which includes Southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of South Jersey and northern Delaware, you can see how teacher pay stacks up against that of other professionals and workers with similar levels of education.
These are mean figures, that is to say, averages, so some people earn more and others less.
For example, physicians in our region, according to the Labor Department, earn an average annual salary of $129,638. Lawyers on average take in $109,113.
Registered nurses make an average of $64,963, while engineers earn an average of $81,798.
Teachers throughout the wide metropolitan region, though, earn an average of $53,918, which is on a par with the statewide average.
It's also on a par with police officers, who earn an average of $53,783.
But there is more at which to look, namely, the amount of time spent earning that money.
The Labor Department says that, in our metropolitan region, lawyers work an average of 2,107 hours a year. The average annual total for engineers is 2,101, for police officers (2,072), registered nurses (2,031), and physicians (2,016).
Teachers, however, work an average of just 1,445 hours a year, due to the fact that they work about 10 fewer weeks a year than almost everyone else.

But if you look at salary in terms of hourly earnings, the salary picture for teachers becomes brighter.
Physicians earn an average of $64.30 an hour, lawyers ($51.79), engineers ($38.94), teachers ($37.32), registered nurses ($31.99) and police officers ($25.96).
The picture is brighter still for those fortunate enough to be employed in some of those affluent Bucks County districts.
An average salary of $84,612 in Council Rock, divided by 1,445 hours a year comes out to $58.55 an hour. That's more than the average lawyer in the region makes ($51.79) and almost as much as the average physician ($64.30).
Now, I know some of you will fault my methodology.
Teachers have to do preparatory work outside the scope of the typical work day. But all professionals work late at the office after hours or take work home with them.
And someone might successfully argue that, just as teachers in Bucks might earn more than the regional average, so do Bucks lawyers, doctors and other professionals.
In fairness it also must be said that most teachers I know admit that, while well educated, they don't possess the specialized training and skills that doctors and lawyers have and don't feel they should be compensated at a level equal to those specialties.
The point is, nevertheless, that they are well compensated and they should rejoice in their good fortune.
All jobs have their unique set of pressures. Teachers have a lot of responsibilities, but so do nurses and police officers.
Teachers should feel proud of their profession, and they should believe that we're proud of them, too.
Most people want them to do a good job. It's an important one, and one for which they should be fairly compensated. We want them to be happy.
It's just that they make us unhappy when they cry poor when contract negotiations roll around. They shouldn't feel sorry for themselves because they're far from being poor. We certainly don't feel sorry for them, nor should we.
They should be happy, and certainly they should be realistic.
After all, compared with many others of similar educational backgrounds, they have it pretty good.
Lou Sessinger is a columnist with The Intelligencer and phillyBurbs.com. He can be contacted at (215) 957-8172 or lsessinger@phillyBurbs.com.

 

[declansdad]

Definition

Law Dictionary: Seasonal

Relating to a specific time of the year. 204 N.W. 391, 393. Seasonal employment is the kind of occupation that can be performed only during certain periods of the year, and does not include such occupations that may be carried on throughout the entire year. 284 N. W. 756, 760. Compare seasonable.


Teaching is not seasonal.

 

[declansdad]

Thanks but no thanks the people on this thread are grouchy. I go on vacation to get away from grouches.

btw how on earth do you spell the plural of grouch? I think I had a sub that day.

Now you have insulted substitute teachers.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I can't speak for other areas of the country, but here is an article from our local paper that might put things into perspective (at least for the Phila subburbs):

Teachers should consider themselves fortunate

The newspaper story reported that seven Bucks County public school districts and technical schools are among the top 10 in the state for highest average teacher salaries.
That shouldn't surprise too many people around here. Pennsylvania ranks ninth among the states with an average teacher salary of more than $53,000, so it figures that affluent Bucks County would exceed the state average.
Council Rock has the highest average teacher paycheck at $84,612 annually. It was followed by Neshaminy ($81,816), Bensalem ($78,885), Pennsbury ($78,047), Middle Bucks technical school ($76,863) Upper Bucks technical school ($74,906) and Quakertown ($74,375).
Centennial was 20th in the state at $70,642. New Hope-Solebury ($70,154) ranked 22nd, and Pennridge ($70,153) was 23rd.
Well, everybody knows teachers here are paid well, and it doesn't really matter how we feel about their compensation because it is what it is.
But teacher pay needs to be put into some kind of perspective.
The U.S. Department of Labor tracks a lot of data about the work force, including salaries and hours worked.
If you look at its statistics for the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region in 2007, which includes Southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of South Jersey and northern Delaware, you can see how teacher pay stacks up against that of other professionals and workers with similar levels of education.
These are mean figures, that is to say, averages, so some people earn more and others less.
For example, physicians in our region, according to the Labor Department, earn an average annual salary of $129,638. Lawyers on average take in $109,113.
Registered nurses make an average of $64,963, while engineers earn an average of $81,798.
Teachers throughout the wide metropolitan region, though, earn an average of $53,918, which is on a par with the statewide average.
It's also on a par with police officers, who earn an average of $53,783.
But there is more at which to look, namely, the amount of time spent earning that money.
The Labor Department says that, in our metropolitan region, lawyers work an average of 2,107 hours a year. The average annual total for engineers is 2,101, for police officers (2,072), registered nurses (2,031), and physicians (2,016).
Teachers, however, work an average of just 1,445 hours a year, due to the fact that they work about 10 fewer weeks a year than almost everyone else.

But if you look at salary in terms of hourly earnings, the salary picture for teachers becomes brighter.
Physicians earn an average of $64.30 an hour, lawyers ($51.79), engineers ($38.94), teachers ($37.32), registered nurses ($31.99) and police officers ($25.96).
The picture is brighter still for those fortunate enough to be employed in some of those affluent Bucks County districts.
An average salary of $84,612 in Council Rock, divided by 1,445 hours a year comes out to $58.55 an hour. That's more than the average lawyer in the region makes ($51.79) and almost as much as the average physician ($64.30).
Now, I know some of you will fault my methodology.
Teachers have to do preparatory work outside the scope of the typical work day. But all professionals work late at the office after hours or take work home with them.
And someone might successfully argue that, just as teachers in Bucks might earn more than the regional average, so do Bucks lawyers, doctors and other professionals.
In fairness it also must be said that most teachers I know admit that, while well educated, they don't possess the specialized training and skills that doctors and lawyers have and don't feel they should be compensated at a level equal to those specialties.
The point is, nevertheless, that they are well compensated and they should rejoice in their good fortune.
All jobs have their unique set of pressures. Teachers have a lot of responsibilities, but so do nurses and police officers.
Teachers should feel proud of their profession, and they should believe that we're proud of them, too.
Most people want them to do a good job. It's an important one, and one for which they should be fairly compensated. We want them to be happy.
It's just that they make us unhappy when they cry poor when contract negotiations roll around. They shouldn't feel sorry for themselves because they're far from being poor. We certainly don't feel sorry for them, nor should we.
They should be happy, and certainly they should be realistic.
After all, compared with many others of similar educational backgrounds, they have it pretty good.
Lou Sessinger is a columnist with The Intelligencer and phillyBurbs.com. He can be contacted at (215) 957-8172 or lsessinger@phillyBurbs.com.

Two points here:

#1 - This thread should be about vacation time, NOT compensation. Why must you ALWAYS stray from the subject with teacher bashing. I live close to the Philly area, and I can guarantee that the teacher's aren't the people owning the big homes who are making the big bucks. May I ask, what do you do for a living? If it's so horrible and you think teachers are the best paid profession, why not become a teacher?

#2 - You only seem to come around when there is a teacher thread? Why is that? Could it because you're a troll with an agenda who will post it anywhere on the net where people are talking about teachers? Just a thought.

 

[Ember]

I have been following this thread closely and have read all the replies. I was interested in opinions and I sure did get them. I know the Canadian system is different, but I do know it is possible (at least in my district) to take time off for a vacation. I have had two week long sub jobs for teachers who did just that.

The only thing I actually have a problem with is the substitute bashing. I am a professional. I have the same training and credentials as any other teacher. I walk into classrooms and establish order within moments. I adjust my teaching style on the fly to accommodate my learners. I have never "wasted" a day. When there are sub plans available we accomplish everything left.

When plans aren't left I wing it. And NOT by showing a video. Last time I was left with no sub plans (grade 2) we completed a writing assignment based on a book from the library. We did brainstorming, mapping of ideas, peer editing, and writing. We also talked about how our senses can improve our writing (What did it look like? What did it feel like? etc). For math I spent 2 minutes with their work book and text and taught the next lesson, assigned homework based on the homework assigned the rest of the week, and circulated to ensure understanding of material. For social studies we used the computers to create a visual presentation using power point on India according to the topics they had already covered. They worked in pairs and then presented. I may not have work prepared for every topic of every grade, but I know the curriculum and my time is spent meeting objectives.

I take my job very seriously, and I'm good at it. I have never been into a school and not been invited back, and I am currently booking sub jobs into April. I may not be in the same classroom every day, but I AM a teacher.

Yes, some subs are bad. There are bad apples in EVERY job. Those bad apples don't automatically mean that the entire profession is useless. So please don't lump all substitute teachers together.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I have been following this thread closely and have read all the replies. I was interested in opinions and I sure did get them. I know the Canadian system is different, but I do know it is possible (at least in my district) to take time off for a vacation. I have had two week long sub jobs for teachers who did just that.

The only thing I actually have a problem with is the substitute bashing. I am a professional. I have the same training and credentials as any other teacher. I walk into classrooms and establish order within moments. I adjust my teaching style on the fly to accommodate my learners. I have never "wasted" a day. When there are sub plans available we accomplish everything left.

When plans aren't left I wing it. And NOT by showing a video. Last time I was left with no sub plans (grade 2) we completed a writing assignment based on a book from the library. We did brainstorming, mapping of ideas, peer editing, and writing. We also talked about how our senses can improve our writing (What did it look like? What did it feel like? etc). For math I spent 2 minutes with their work book and text and taught the next lesson, assigned homework based on the homework assigned the rest of the week, and circulated to ensure understanding of material. For social studies we used the computers to create a visual presentation using power point on India according to the topics they had already covered. They worked in pairs and then presented. I may not have work prepared for every topic of every grade, but I know the curriculum and my time is spent meeting objectives.

I take my job very seriously, and I'm good at it. I have never been into a school and not been invited back, and I am currently booking sub jobs into April. I may not be in the same classroom every day, but I AM a teacher.

Yes, some subs are bad. There are bad apples in EVERY job. Those bad apples don't automatically mean that the entire profession is useless. So please don't lump all substitute teachers together.

That is a great post!!!!!!

 

[declansdad]

I have been following this thread closely and have read all the replies. I was interested in opinions and I sure did get them. I know the Canadian system is different, but I do know it is possible (at least in my district) to take time off for a vacation. I have had two week long sub jobs for teachers who did just that.

The only thing I actually have a problem with is the substitute bashing. I am a professional. I have the same training and credentials as any other teacher. I walk into classrooms and establish order within moments. I adjust my teaching style on the fly to accommodate my learners. I have never "wasted" a day. When there are sub plans available we accomplish everything left.

When plans aren't left I wing it. And NOT by showing a video. Last time I was left with no sub plans (grade 2) we completed a writing assignment based on a book from the library. We did brainstorming, mapping of ideas, peer editing, and writing. We also talked about how our senses can improve our writing (What did it look like? What did it feel like? etc). For math I spent 2 minutes with their work book and text and taught the next lesson, assigned homework based on the homework assigned the rest of the week, and circulated to ensure understanding of material. For social studies we used the computers to create a visual presentation using power point on India according to the topics they had already covered. They worked in pairs and then presented. I may not have work prepared for every topic of every grade, but I know the curriculum and my time is spent meeting objectives.

I take my job very seriously, and I'm good at it. I have never been into a school and not been invited back, and I am currently booking sub jobs into April. I may not be in the same classroom every day, but I AM a teacher.

Yes, some subs are bad. There are bad apples in EVERY job. Those bad apples don't automatically mean that the entire profession is useless. So please don't lump all substitute teachers together.

Very well said.

You are correct in saying all districts are different. In my dw's district, vacation could only be taken as unpaid leave.

 

[mickeysgal]

I've known at least 2 teachers from my dad's school who have passed away from cancer over the years and it hurts me everytime somebody complains about that situation. Instead of being mad at the teacher for getting sick, the parents should use it as an opportunity to teach their children compassion, not hatred towards their teachers. (I may get flamed for saying that, but at this point, I don't care.)

Do you really think that people were complaining about someone having cancer? I honestly can't imagine anyone and I do mean anyone, doing that. I really can't. Can I imagine someone complaining about not putting a properly qualified teacher/sub in his/her place? Now that - I think is very possible.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Do you really think that people were complaining about someone having cancer? I honestly can't imagine anyone and I do mean anyone, doing that. I really can't. Can I imagine someone complaining about not putting a properly qualified teacher/sub in his/her place? Now that - I think is very possible.

I truly hope not, but I remember a while back (I don't have the thread but I do believe it was on the Dis boards and not the local newspaper forums that I post on), one poster actually complained about a teacher's cancer that came back. It may have been directed towards the sub, but still that person had cancer. I thought that was really sad since the poster basically said that because this teacher had cancer it was effecting her child's education. If I had a link for it, I'd post it...(I looked in my user CP but it's not longer there since I believe this post occurred back in fall)...oh well! Sorry!

 

[disneyjunkie]

If I had a link for it, I'd post it...(I looked in my user CP but it's not longer there since I believe this post occurred back in fall)...oh well! Sorry!

Click on User CP, Then click on list subscriptions. All the threads you've posted on or subscribed to will be there.

I just checked and I was able to pull threads as far back as April 2001.

 

[mickeysgal]

I truly hope not, but I remember a while back (I don't have the thread but I do believe it was on the Dis boards and not the local newspaper forums that I post on), one poster actually complained about a teacher's cancer that came back. It may have been directed towards the sub, but still that person had cancer. I thought that was really sad since the poster basically said that because this teacher had cancer it was effecting her child's education. If I had a link for it, I'd post it...(I looked in my user CP but it's not longer there since I believe this post occurred back in fall)...oh well! Sorry!

Good grief! I'm really trying to give that poster the benefit of the doubt. I can't believe that they would be that callous to be directly complaining about such a sick teacher. I would hope that their true complaint was about the replacement (sub).

You know, there are many reasons that teachers have to be out for an extended period of time and those reasons are their personal business and not anyone else's business. But this is where it is the administration's responsibility to step up to the plate. It is not unreasonable to expect that that the teacher they replace him/her with is fully qualified to teach that class seamlessly as if the regular teacher was there. If they're not the right person, then I can see where a parent has cause for concern over their quality of the child's education.

 

[jrmasm]

Now you have insulted substitute teachers.

Only those lacking a sense of humor.


It was a joke.

 

[golfgal]

I can't speak for other areas of the country, but here is an article from our local paper that might put things into perspective (at least for the Phila subburbs):

Teachers should consider themselves fortunate

The newspaper story reported that seven Bucks County public school districts and technical schools are among the top 10 in the state for highest average teacher salaries.
That shouldn't surprise too many people around here. Pennsylvania ranks ninth among the states with an average teacher salary of more than $53,000, so it figures that affluent Bucks County would exceed the state average.
Council Rock has the highest average teacher paycheck at $84,612 annually. It was followed by Neshaminy ($81,816), Bensalem ($78,885), Pennsbury ($78,047), Middle Bucks technical school ($76,863) Upper Bucks technical school ($74,906) and Quakertown ($74,375).
Centennial was 20th in the state at $70,642. New Hope-Solebury ($70,154) ranked 22nd, and Pennridge ($70,153) was 23rd.
Well, everybody knows teachers here are paid well, and it doesn't really matter how we feel about their compensation because it is what it is.
But teacher pay needs to be put into some kind of perspective.
The U.S. Department of Labor tracks a lot of data about the work force, including salaries and hours worked.
If you look at its statistics for the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region in 2007, which includes Southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of South Jersey and northern Delaware, you can see how teacher pay stacks up against that of other professionals and workers with similar levels of education.
These are mean figures, that is to say, averages, so some people earn more and others less.
For example, physicians in our region, according to the Labor Department, earn an average annual salary of $129,638. Lawyers on average take in $109,113.
Registered nurses make an average of $64,963, while engineers earn an average of $81,798.
Teachers throughout the wide metropolitan region, though, earn an average of $53,918, which is on a par with the statewide average.
It's also on a par with police officers, who earn an average of $53,783.
But there is more at which to look, namely, the amount of time spent earning that money.
The Labor Department says that, in our metropolitan region, lawyers work an average of 2,107 hours a year. The average annual total for engineers is 2,101, for police officers (2,072), registered nurses (2,031), and physicians (2,016).
Teachers, however, work an average of just 1,445 hours a year, due to the fact that they work about 10 fewer weeks a year than almost everyone else.

But if you look at salary in terms of hourly earnings, the salary picture for teachers becomes brighter.
Physicians earn an average of $64.30 an hour, lawyers ($51.79), engineers ($38.94), teachers ($37.32), registered nurses ($31.99) and police officers ($25.96).
The picture is brighter still for those fortunate enough to be employed in some of those affluent Bucks County districts.
An average salary of $84,612 in Council Rock, divided by 1,445 hours a year comes out to $58.55 an hour. That's more than the average lawyer in the region makes ($51.79) and almost as much as the average physician ($64.30).
Now, I know some of you will fault my methodology.
Teachers have to do preparatory work outside the scope of the typical work day. But all professionals work late at the office after hours or take work home with them.
And someone might successfully argue that, just as teachers in Bucks might earn more than the regional average, so do Bucks lawyers, doctors and other professionals.
In fairness it also must be said that most teachers I know admit that, while well educated, they don't possess the specialized training and skills that doctors and lawyers have and don't feel they should be compensated at a level equal to those specialties.
The point is, nevertheless, that they are well compensated and they should rejoice in their good fortune.
All jobs have their unique set of pressures. Teachers have a lot of responsibilities, but so do nurses and police officers.
Teachers should feel proud of their profession, and they should believe that we're proud of them, too.
Most people want them to do a good job. It's an important one, and one for which they should be fairly compensated. We want them to be happy.
It's just that they make us unhappy when they cry poor when contract negotiations roll around. They shouldn't feel sorry for themselves because they're far from being poor. We certainly don't feel sorry for them, nor should we.
They should be happy, and certainly they should be realistic.
After all, compared with many others of similar educational backgrounds, they have it pretty good.
Lou Sessinger is a columnist with The Intelligencer and phillyBurbs.com. He can be contacted at (215) 957-8172 or lsessinger@phillyBurbs.com.

This is a load of you know what. If you do the math it shows that police officers have 8 hours/year off, ONE DAY. I don't think so. Same with nurses. The BIG difference here is nurses and police officers often pick up extra shifts and get paid OVERTIME for working those shifts so it skews the numbers tremendously! If you divide out the hours worked for teachers it comes up with a total of just under 80 days worked/year--um not even close. What did they use to figure these numbers, the hours school was open? What about all the time teachers are required to be at school when the kids aren't there. On top of which NO WHERE are you going to find a district where the teachers only work 80 days. Sorry, this is just a load of you know what.

My BIL is a police officer. He works 4-8 hour shifts/week. That is 192 days/year not including his 4 weeks of PAID vacation time after 2 years on the job (so 172 days/year). Most nurses around here work a similar schedule. Again, yes they often pick up extra shifts making time and a half or even DOUBLE time and a half. Teachers are salaried and don't get paid overtime. Maybe we should make them hourly employees and see how much they would REALLY earn for all the extra time put in. How about we move to that???

 

[declansdad]

Only those lacking a sense of humor.


It was a joke.

Didn't look as if it were written as a joke.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Click on User CP, Then click on list subscriptions. All the threads you've posted on or subscribed to will be there.

I just checked and I was able to pull threads as far back as April 2001.

Thank you!!!! I didn't realize I could look back that far!

Good grief! I'm really trying to give that poster the benefit of the doubt. I can't believe that they would be that callous to be directly complaining about such a sick teacher. I would hope that their true complaint was about the replacement (sub).

You know, there are many reasons that teachers have to be out for an extended period of time and those reasons are their personal business and not anyone else's business. But this is where it is the administration's responsibility to step up to the plate. It is not unreasonable to expect that that the teacher they replace him/her with is fully qualified to teach that class seamlessly as if the regular teacher was there. If they're not the right person, then I can see where a parent has cause for concern over their quality of the child's education.

After looking for a while, I finally found it.

Yes I have and there was even a discussion about it at the school town meeting about all the subs that we have been having at ALL our schools in our district lately.

I would not mind the subs so much if they cared about teaching but many don't and mnany are very grumpy....

The subs also keep the kids from progressing as fast as they should. And the students are back and forth with different syles of teaching.

My sons math teacher has Cancer and is in and out depending on her chemo and how she feels that day. If she wakes up and cant come in than they call a sub up. I'm torn between undrstanding and my sons education.
She is not what I am refering to as for the teachers being out all the time....she is the exception of course.

It is due to meetings, training, and so on suring school days. When there are 7 different teachers because of 7 different subjects you cant help but have a sub almost everyday. When one isnt out another is.

It is terrible. When I was a nurse if I was out all that time I would be fired

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1599654&page=21

I knew I read it on here somewhere. I know the person was probably upset with the situation, however I'm sure the teacher didn't plan on getting cancer. Oh well...I'm just glad I was able to find the thread.

 

[creativeamanda]

Two points here:
#2 - You only seem to come around when there is a teacher thread? Why is that? Could it because you're a troll with an agenda who will post it anywhere on the net where people are talking about teachers? Just a thought.

I see what you mean. 11/20 posts about teachers.

 

[mickeyboat]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1599654&page=21

I knew I read it on here somewhere. I know the person was probably upset with the situation, however I'm sure the teacher didn't plan on getting cancer. Oh well...I'm just glad I was able to find the thread.

Don't confuse a parent's concern about their child's education with lack of concern and sympathy for the teacher's situation. They are not mutually exclusive feelings.

I can't imagine anyone on this thread would fault a teacher for needing time off for cancer treatments. But the quality of substitute teaching and possible classroom disruptions are legitimate parental concerns that don't go away just because of the tragic circumstances surrounding the teacher's absence.

Denae

 

[aspcamhreditor2]

I think teachers do an outstanding job. An issue I personally have w/ my children's education are MUCH more to do w/ district policy.

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.

Does that mean weekends, too?

Just curious....

Last year in my job, I worked EVERY DAY from July 2 through 12/21 ... every weekend day ... every holiday. Some days were as long as 12 & 13 hours.

I've been thinking of going back to school to get my teaching certificate. 170+ days in a row and no vacation time in over a year has me thinking teaching looks a lot more attractive.

I've got my bachelor's and master's. Yes, I have vacation time ... but if there is work to do, I can't take it. My job doesn't close down at any point just becuase it's a break.

So ... after reading these posts, getting into teaching would still be way better for me time-wise and similar in pay.

Good job ... all you great teachers doing a good job day in & day out.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I can't imagine anyone on this thread would fault a teacher for needing time off for cancer treatments. But the quality of substitute teaching and possible classroom disruptions are legitimate parental concerns that don't go away just because of the tragic circumstances surrounding the teacher's absence.

Denae

It's not the teacher's fault if the sub that they get isn't as good as the teacher herself. It may take a bit of time before a good full-time sub would be hired to cover for the teacher. That teacher's first concern should be to get better. I am in no way bashing subs, because let me tell you, there are great subs out there...I had quite a few when I was in school, however parents shouldn't blame the teacher if a sub is placed in their child's room that isn't the best.

Although I fully support the right of the teacher to be able to take personal days when they seem fit, having cancer and taking sick days is an entirely different subject. She's not taking mental health days, she's taking time off to save her life. There's a huge difference there.