Let's Get it Started In Here

6/3/2019

If you're a regular reader, you'll have already noticed that I'm a bit late in posting this morning. Today marks the first day of summer break. It's the day/week/month that every teacher lives for. I slept in a few minutes before catching up on everything that's been waiting for me since last summer's break.

Truth!

While it might appear that teacher's get a three-month paid holiday, don't be fooled; I get paid for 183 days. In years past, teachers in my district had to save enough money from their monthly paycheck to live on over the summer. Not long ago, my district decided to do it for us. Each month a portion of my check is withheld and then doled out to me in July and August. So no, teachers don't actually get "paid" in the summer.

Every teacher I know works far more hours than we get paid for. Myself, I arrive at school an hour early every single day, and quite often I work late. I also work through lunch. That means I "donate" at least 2 hours a day for 180 school days. After some quick math, that comes out to 45 days of unpaid work. So much for a "paid summer vacation."

The kids get 10 weeks of break, but I'll start back after 9 weeks in order to get my room set up and make lesson plans. Over the summer I am also taking a 45-hour class in June (that cost $343) and another two days of classes offered by my district in August, all for "professional development."

Even more truth!

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." I do tend to get a little defensive at this time of year. Teachers have become the public's favorite punching bag. Everyone knows a teacher, and everyone can share a horror story of how their child was tragically mistreated by said teacher. All I can say is that it's a tough job and kids aren't always truthful.

My every day.

Moving on though. I plan to spend the next few weeks catching my breath, riding my horses, and eventually gearing up for the 2019/2020 school year. If you have kids, enjoy your summer!

lytha

6/3/2019 08:46:20 am

It's now Abitur time in our state of Northrhein Westfalia (sp?). SATs. J has 12 math Abiturs to grade from another city's school, because each test must be graded by two independent teachers. He's exasperated that the other teacher gave good grades to students who did not show their work. In math, you have to show your work: )

I know I've said it before but I stand by you when I say teachers never get a break. They work weekends and evenings all year long, and the summer break has a smattering of in-school prep. So, there are no kids there, but the teachers are there weeks in advance of the next year, getting ready. Summer break in Germany is 6 weeks, of which 4 are truly allowed to be leisure.

J is working toward a sabbatical in 2021, which means he earns 1/4 less money these years, to allow a year off where we will go to America and see if we can imagine living there. (!!!)

I keep telling him he's such a good computer programmer, if he got a job in that field, he'd have his evenings and weekends.

For you it sucks much more, cuz you earn way less money and have crappier health insurance (if I understand) than the government-employed German teachers. J has a job guaranteed for life, and that is why I live here. Also, he seems to love it.

But has to go to the chiropractor tomorrow cuz of back pain from grading SATs days on end. I'm really feeling his pain this week - both emotionally and physically.

When you say you must arrive every day early, same here. Classes don't start til 8? But J has to arrive early to make copies. Teachers of other subjects have less prep, but he admitted yesterday that language teachers have it even worse. Hm!

I know you teach history, how is that to grade?

Bakersfield Dressage link

6/3/2019 04:16:16 pm

Lytha, your husband definitely works hard. I actually teach all subjects: math, reading, language, writing, PE , history, science, art, handwriting, spelling, and grammar. Most of it on the same day. And yes, grading is a real pain in the ass, especially since no one turns anything in on time which means I am grading all sorts of random things on any given day.

I am grateful for the break!

Exploringdressagebiomechanics link

6/3/2019 09:01:45 am

Teaching is not an easy job and to do it well takes an above and beyond effort. What an impact you make though!

Enjoy your summer and recharge your batteries!

6/3/2019 04:17:37 pm

Thank you, I truly do my best each and every day even though there are days when I want to beat my head against the wall. None of us would do it if we didn't love kids and seeing them blossom. :0)

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