So, lately I’ve been hearing a lot of people trashing teachers, and there are a few things I need to say about this.
First and foremost, summer. Summer vacation is this really awesome thing during which I get to spend 2 months (not 3!) resting, relaxing, and doing whatever I want. AWESOME. Related to this, I have a decent winter and spring break. I do not however, get paid for any of this time off (nor am I requesting such a thing). Almost everyone I know who works outside of education has paid vacation time. They select when they will take this time, which is a luxury teachers don’t have, and understandably so. When my sister got married, I wanted to take time off in order to attend the wedding, but there was no such allotment in my contract. Fortunately, I had a reasonable employer who allowed this by subtracting from my sick time, but he was by no means obligated to do so. Such a thing would not have happened to someone with vacation time. Perhaps some of us are a little wistful to see summer end, but aren’t you when your vacation ends?
Related to this, is the idea that I don’t work the same number of hours per year and someone with a 9-5. In each of my 3 different schools, it has been stated in my contract that I was expected to work beyond my contracted hours. (KInd of odd, really…) I work at least 50 hours a week (and generally quite a bit more. Not complaining, just stating a fact. There are generally 39 weeks in a school year, so that is a minimum of 390 hours per year that I do not get paid for. That’s 9.75 work weeks. Considering my average summer is about 8-9 weeks, you can see that I more than make up for those summer hours. At my current job, I have worked for 2 weeks without being paid or insured.
Also, I work damn hard. I keep up with current research. I challenge 17-20 5 and 6 years olds each year to work hard, be fair, and enjoy life. I work with them at their own level, helping them to get where they need to go. It’s not an easy task to coordinate and strategize for all of this. I communicate with parents and ease worried minds. I guide them adjust when their child has unique needs, and I help them to seek assistance. I do what children, parents, principals, and governments want/need. I know that people in all jobs work hard, but I just don’t want you to forget that teachers do, too.
All of this being said, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I get to freakin’ teach kids to read, for heaven’s sake! I get to teach them how awesome it is to be kind, loving, and hardworking. I’m not saying that teachers have it any harder than anyone else. But I want you to remember that they don’t have it any easier either.
Thoughts in Progress 