Every single occupation has its perks and its pitfalls. I've been as guilty as anyone of making assumptions about teachers (in particular) and the "cushiness" of their jobs. However, after seeing what my daughter-in-law has on her plate, I feel the "accusation" of "whole summer off" is completely wrong, as is the "accusation" of a short work day and weekends off.

 

My daughter-in-law gets to school each day at 6am. She rarely leaves before 4, and because she's the director of the school plays there are many, many weeks where she doesn't get home until after 10 at night, and weekends are devoted to building sets, blocking and rehearsals. There are dances to attend to chaperone, she shows up at football games on Friday nights to lend support. She's gotten her masters and is now working on whatever is next. While getting her masters, she did all of the above AND school in the evenings. Summers for her are usually spent (as TB&G mentioned) developing lesson plans, and tweaking others. So far, she's not had the same classes every year. The first year she had the at-risk students who had to pass English to graduate, plus a class of freshmen, and the other classes were seniors. This past year she had sophomores, at-risk students and seniors. Next year she has at risk students, juniors, freshmen and will be teaching a debate class. So far, she's not really had an opportunity to be able to utilize most of her plans the next year. In addition, she'll have to read, research and choose scripts for the fall play and the spring musical so they have time to go through the approval process and she can begin the planning of auditions. She'll also be going to school for the "next level" of education she needs. She'll also attend summer sporting events to lend her support and teach a summer school English class so that hopefully some kids won't wind up in the at-risk class. Through the year, after she gets home, even if it's 10 at night, there are papers to grade, fine tuning of planning, progress to record, conferences to prepare for....it's not like teachers leave school, go home and just chill out after their day. They take a lot of their work home with them.

 

Teachers are "on-call" in the sense that everyone expects them to be involved in their kids' lives. There is no "down time", they're expected to be seen as being as supportive of their students as if they were their own children. That's what parents expect...teachers who care about their children as much as they do. They demand that.

 

I know of very, very few professions that require continuing educational requirements to not just advance, but keep your job, and doesn't reimburse you for the costs of those.

 

I've come to believe that I grossly underestimated teachers. I also have come to believe that I should never judge someone's profession unless I know what it's like to work their job. Shoot, some people might think I have a pretty cushy job. But I don't think so. :lol:

 

So for all of you who are teachers, I'm sorry I underestimated you and didn't appreciate all the thing you do that I never knew about. And I'm sorry that I felt it was expected that I see you whenever I attended one of my kid's sporting events, school functions, or anything of the sort. For all of you who coach or are sponsors of after school activities, I'm sorry I didn't appreciate the time and effort that took on top of what I expected of you in my kid's classrooms.

It's really not like being on call at all :lol:. Firefighters, police, ems, they are on call. Many jobs require professionalism outside of work. The military, heck even banking would be one that comes to mind. Being professional outside the workplace isnt like being on call.

 

As for your comment re: substitute teaching. I substitute for almost 2 years.

 

As for adding a few extra days without extra pay? Most people don't have a few extra days to add like teachers do. Most jobs work year round with their typical one or two week vacations and the occasional holiday. Some professions don't get holidays (at least not everyone).

 

Yes it is on call. If you see something involving a student that is illegal it is a duty and a legal requirement to report it. Many students and parents call their teachers after school for help, to complain, etc. Sure a teacher can go to a basketball game or softball game at the school, but they still technically at work and are required to be a chaperone if there. How is that not on call? Explain that to me.

 

You want danger? Would that make it like being on call? A teacher I know was verbally abused and nearly physically assaulted last week after graduation. Not on call, this wasn't even on school grounds. Not on call, sure talk about something you have no experience in.

 

And as a former sub, like someone said above it is far from real teaching duty but it can provide some real experience as to what teaching might be like. Not on call, what a joke.

That's true of most professionals.

 

Is it? Can a doctor or banker sit down at Applebee's and get a few drinks? In alot of places a teacher really can't do that, or at least it is very frowned upon.

Yes it is on call. If you see something involving a student that is illegal it is a duty and a legal requirement to report it. Many students and parents call their teachers after school for help, to complain, etc. Sure a teacher can go to a basketball game or softball game at the school, but they still technically at work and are required to be a chaperone if there. How is that not on call? Explain that to me.

 

You want danger? Would that make it like being on call? A teacher I know was verbally abused and nearly physically assaulted last week after graduation. Not on call, this wasn't even on school grounds. Not on call, sure talk about something you have no experience in.

 

And as a former sub, like someone said above it is far from real teaching duty but it can provide some real experience as to what teaching might be like. Not on call, what a joke.

 

You don't understand the meaning of "on call" imo. The things you describe come with many jobs, who are also actually "on call". Do you think a Police Officer or a Firefighter, or a Paramedic can ignore a crime, fire, or injured person? No, they're Police Officers, firefighters, and Paramedics all day, all night, just like teachers. However those professions are actually on call, even after they go in after a shift. They'll be at home after a regular shift, and if no one else is out...guess who is getting woke up if something happens?

 

It has nothing to do with danger. It has everything to do with actually being, "on call".

 

I'm not downplaying what teachers do. I realize they have after school activities, and that they some times work long days. But to say that they are on call because they have to be professional at all times, is just not right IMO. All of the professions I have mentioned already have to do the same thing, and actually be on call.

Is it? Can a doctor or banker sit down at Applebee's and get a few drinks? In alot of places a teacher really can't do that, or at least it is very frowned upon.

 

I know plenty of teachers who have a drink from time to time and everyone I know considers them very good teachers.

You don't understand the meaning of "on call" imo. The things you describe come with many jobs, who are also actually "on call". Do you think a Police Officer or a Firefighter, or a Paramedic can ignore a crime, fire, or injured person? No, they're Police Officers, firefighters, and Paramedics all day, all night, just like teachers. However those professions are actually on call, even after they go in after a shift. They'll be at home after a regular shift, and if no one else is out...guess who is getting woke up if something happens?

 

It has nothing to do with danger. It has everything to do with actually being, "on call".

 

I'm not downplaying what teachers do. I realize they have after school activities, and that they some times work long days. But to say that they are on call because they have to be professional at all times, is just not right IMO. All of the professions I have mentioned already have to do the same thing, and actually be on call.

 

You're right. I have absolutely no idea what being on call means. It is such a hard concept. I guess my educational background didn't answer that one :lol:.

 

I know plenty of teachers who have a drink from time to time and everyone I know considers them very good teachers.

 

Depends on where you teach at. I don't see it as a big deal, but it is a bigger problem for a teacher in a small, rural community than it is a bigger city.

You don't understand the meaning of "on call" imo. The things you describe come with many jobs, who are also actually "on call". Do you think a Police Officer or a Firefighter, or a Paramedic can ignore a crime, fire, or injured person? No, they're Police Officers, firefighters, and Paramedics all day, all night, just like teachers. However those professions are actually on call, even after they go in after a shift. They'll be at home after a regular shift, and if no one else is out...guess who is getting woke up if something happens?

 

It has nothing to do with danger. It has everything to do with actually being, "on call".

 

I'm not downplaying what teachers do. I realize they have after school activities, and that they some times work long days. But to say that they are on call because they have to be professional at all times, is just not right IMO. All of the professions I have mentioned already have to do the same thing, and actually be on call.

 

More professions are "on call" than just firefighters, paramedics, cops.... And just because they aren't saving lives or rescuing people doesn't diminish their value to not only the companies/institutions they work for, but also for the people those companies/institutions serve. Teachers are "on call" in the sense that they're expected to "be there" for the kids and parents at any time, any hour. Teachers have been called to jails in the middle of the night because a student gave their name as a contact. They get called by students who need emotional help. Teachers don't leave their jobs when they leave the school. They also can't possibly plan all the things that may occur without notice. They are on call as much as anyone, it's just different than what you do.

 

HB, you want people to understand from your perspective how you feel about people trivializing and/or misrepresenting your job. I think it would be a good thing to step back and consider that although you understandably have pride in what you do, your job is one with it's own perks/pitfalls. Understand that teachers, sanitation workers, burger flippers, call center personnel, IT specialists.....shoot...just about any job...they all have the parts to them that have their good and bad points. But none is more "worthy" than another. You've been very dismissive of the teaching profession, with limited experience in that profession. If you'd made it your career, you might have a different perspective. Comparing substitute teaching to a career in teaching is like comparing a mall cop to a city police officer.

You're right. I have absolutely no idea what being on call means. It is such a hard concept. I guess my educational background didn't answer that one :lol:.

 

 

 

Depends on where you teach at. I don't see it as a big deal, but it is a bigger problem for a teacher in a small, rural community than it is a bigger city.

 

Not trying to insult your intelligence. I'm sure you are much smarter than I'll ever be. However that's not on call, imo

Not trying to insult your intelligence. I'm sure you are much smarter than I'll ever be. However that's not on call, imo

 

Well you're probably wrong about the bolded, but we'll just agree to disagree.

So for all of you who are teachers, I'm sorry I underestimated you and didn't appreciate all the thing you do that I never knew about. And I'm sorry that I felt it was expected that I see you whenever I attended one of my kid's sporting events, school functions, or anything of the sort. For all of you who coach or are sponsors of after school activities, I'm sorry I didn't appreciate the time and effort that took on top of what I expected of you in my kid's classrooms.

 

Thanks, RM. Your daughter-in-law's schedule sounds all too familiar to me. :thumb:

As the school year winds down, I am hearing of more teachers having to stay 2-3 days over the closing day to make up "lost" hours because of snow days. As many hours teachers spend before and after school, I think this is just ridiculous to require teachers to come back. Anybody with me?? :irked:

 

First, I love my job as a teacher. In no way do I want to come off as whining because I tolerate very little in my own classroom. My whole point was for a profession that logs a lot of hours outside the classroom hours of 8-4, I find it crazy that they require us to work those two extra days. There is a teacher at my school that scheduled a vacation trip far in advanced which will have her missing those two days. They are docking her pay for those two days. That's my problem. I picked my vocation to be a teacher and love everyday I do it. These type of episodes leave a bad taste in my mouth.

 

I completely agree that while teachers have "time off" during the summer, they spend it doing various things with their profession. When seeing the same kids everyday for 9 months, a break needs to happen for the functioning of school.

 

In the grand scheme of things, would I be in my classroom working on stuff? Probably. So no big deal. Just the priniple behind it.

 

 

I get it and agree. I'm just saying that when you're a teacher the perception (not reality) is that you don't do anything in the summer so mentioning the extra days just feeds the fire of those that have a misunderstanding.

 

I wish I had the chance to be part of the fraternity.

I wish I had the chance to be part of the fraternity.

 

It's never too late to start.

More professions are "on call" than just firefighters, paramedics, cops.... And just because they aren't saving lives or rescuing people doesn't diminish their value to not only the companies/institutions they work for, but also for the people those companies/institutions serve. Teachers are "on call" in the sense that they're expected to "be there" for the kids and parents at any time, any hour. Teachers have been called to jails in the middle of the night because a student gave their name as a contact. They get called by students who need emotional help. Teachers don't leave their jobs when they leave the school. They also can't possibly plan all the things that may occur without notice. They are on call as much as anyone, it's just different than what you do.

 

HB, you want people to understand from your perspective how you feel about people trivializing and/or misrepresenting your job. I think it would be a good thing to step back and consider that although you understandably have pride in what you do, your job is one with it's own perks/pitfalls. Understand that teachers, sanitation workers, burger flippers, call center personnel, IT specialists.....shoot...just about any job...they all have the parts to them that have their good and bad points. But none is more "worthy" than another. You've been very dismissive of the teaching profession, with limited experience in that profession. If you'd made it your career, you might have a different perspective. Comparing substitute teaching to a career in teaching is like comparing a mall cop to a city police officer.

 

You aren't reading my posts, or you are obviously misunderstanding them. I have not once said that teachers have to save lives to be a value. I'm simply comparing the teaching profession to professions that are actually "on call". How many times do teachers have to get out of bed at 3 AM, put on a uniform and go work, after already having worked their shift? Answering a phone call with a student, while important, probably doesn't happen all that often. When I was in school I did not have any of my teachers phone numbers, therefore I never made a call. No one I knew ever did either. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen. I'm not saying that when it does happen, that it's not important. It is...I just don't see it as being "on call" like the other professions I mentioned.

 

I have never said one job is more worthy than another. Not sure where you are getting that. And I've not been dismissive of the teaching profession at all. You need to go back and re-read my posts. My entire point in this thread is that teachers get plenty of time off. 2-3 extra days of work after school isn't a big deal.

 

And I never compared substitute teaching to being a teacher. Someone else made a "try substitute teaching for a day" comment. I just said, I've done it.

It's never too late to start.

 

Clear out the PM box.

Winner

 

I should clarify. General complaining from teachers doesn't help their cause because of perceptions.

 

Sometimes those perceptions are accurate & sometimes way off base. I have people VERY, VERY close to me in my family who teach & I highly respect what they do. At the same time, I nearly went into teaching & part of the appeal was the family-friendliness of the occupation (considerable time off in the summer, around two weeks for Christmas, at least half of Thanksgiving week off, some kind of Spring or Fall Break & sometimes both, every major holiday off, the general job protection of being tenured, very good health insurance plan). If I'm not mistaken, most teachers have a 180 day working contract--about half of the days in a year.

 

Teachers have a very difficult task, but they also have some very nice perks as well.