I need to vent to other teachers

Do you get upset when educated people call our job "part time"? Just because we have time off in the summer. Oh, and I guess it is because we get out at 3:30 not 5:00.

I had to sit at a friends bbq yesterday to listen to one of the host's in-laws go on and on about teachers. How his taxes are high only because of what teachers are paid. How we have too much time off...Then another guest started in about how our jobs are really only part time. Both of these men are educated people. To top it off the first guest's son and niece are both teachers. The other guest who calls our ork "part time" is able to spend most of his day on facebook and leave his office to go play hand ball every afternoon. Funny, once I enter school (normally an hour early), I don't have time to sit. I am lucky if get to eat lunch!)

I had to get up from the table before I embarrassed my friend by telling these two off (and I am so not like that). It just upset me so much. I have taught for well over ten years. I work very hard. Both in school during the day and at home at night and weekends. I give up my own free time to go to school events. We have a nice pay, yes, but half of it goes right back into the classroom (buying materials, supplies that the school does not give us, and things for the students). I work in a very poor area, and even have given students lunch money when they didn't have. Let's not even talk about the cost of our education. You ladies all can relate I am sure.

I just wish we teachers would get the same respect as other jobs. (I am not saying this is how everyone feels. Many do respect us. However, it is so sad that so many do not!!) Thank you for letting me vent. Have a great first week!

Message edited 9/8/2009 8:00:14 PM.

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

I really get annoyed when non-teachers talk about how easy we have it.....

In reality, if you put any of those people in the classroom for 1 week.. no ... 1 day even... they would lose their minds!!!!!

Only fellow teachers, or family members of teachers.. can relate. My DH isn't a teacher but he totally understands and respects the hard work that goes into our field. Sadly, there are many out there who don't realize how much 'outside' preparation that goes into a school day........ We DON'T get out by 3/3:30......... at least I don't... I end up staying in school till close to 5 just finishing stuff up and planning

Anyone who makes those comment is ignorant.

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

I totally agree with you. I frequently hear "But you only work 180 days"....

This annoys me to no end. Take this summer for example. I spent MY OWN MONEY to buy a book of italian scenes each labeled with the proper vocabulary. I also bought the same book in English, to use for ESL. I then brought each book to staples, and had them englarge every picture to 24 x 36. Then I brought them home, and spent the summer coloring them off and on. Then I spent MY OWN MONEY again to laminate them, which whic quite expensive......why did I do this? because it will enhance my classroom, and provide a fabulous visual to help students remember.

If you add up the time I spent doing this, it was probably another full month of work. So my answer to "You only work 180 days" is "When was the last time YOU bought office supplies with your own money and voluntarily took on projects to make your work a pleasant experience?????????

Between projects like this, and taking classes, a teacher works far more than 180 days...

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

I always find people who say things like that are just jealous of a teacher's schedule. Yes, we work far more than the scheduled days and hours of our job....but there are benefits to being a teacher that many other jobs don't have. And people who don't get those benefits are jealous.
So I remind them that they could have become a teacher and they could enjoy their summers off as well. It's not like it's a secret that when you're a teacher you don't work during the summer!
People just like to complain.

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

as a teacher who once worked in corporate america....i do have to admit that the schedule of a teacher is much better than that of a business job. i would often be at the office till 7-8pm after going in at 7am and would also have to be on call for clients on weekends AND holidays. i was extremely stressed out....till i switched to teaching.

i am not saying my job as a teacher is cake, but it is simpler than other jobs. and on the other hand, it is alot more difficult than other jobs. it is what you make of it and what you choose to take on.

i do however get extremly frustrated when i hear teachers in my building complaining about working an extra day during the year (aka conference day) or having to chaperone something...i guess its just bc im a 'new' teacher who doesnt seem to mind.

Message edited 9/9/2009 7:01:52 AM.

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

What I always say is I love my job.

I love my work hours.

Love my time off.

Think that I am so lucky to be doing something I love.

And to anyone who feels it is so easy and "part time" I explain exactly how they can go about acquiring their 60 credit masters (Im a counselor) to get my job

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

I completely understand your frustration. Many people do not understand the work and effort we put into our jobs.

What I don't like is when people tell me I'm so lucky to have summers off. Actually, I work summer school. Its a full time, 6 week program. I get off one week in June and 3 weeks before school. But I definatly dont have off for 2 months!

I get to work an hour early and sometimes stay an hour late..just to get everything done. Its definatly not "part time"

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

whenever someone complains, i say, "you could have been a teacher." then they usually shut up. because they realize they DIDNT become a teacher for some other tradeoff that they get from their job. it's all relative.

Re: I need to vent to other teachers

Posted by DiamondGirl

What I always say is I love my job.

I love my work hours.

Love my time off.

Think that I am so lucky to be doing something I love.

And to anyone who feels it is so easy and "part time" I explain exactly how they can go about acquiring their 60 credit masters (Im a counselor) to get my job