I think the budget for a "full man year" is 1750 hours. The assumption is you will take leave or holiday that will equal approximately 2080
Letter: Who's Hurting The Students
- Thread starter Editor
- Start date
I think the budget for a "full man year" is 1750 hours. The assumption is you will take leave or holiday that will equal approximately 2080
intertidal
New Member
Teaching for her is actually a later life second career. She was not an education major in college but pre-med - with med school plans that changed after we got married, which is a shame because she would have made a great pediatrician - so its all my fault. She has an MS and has published scientific papers and also went back to get an MA in education after St.Mary's Co used a federal grant to lure scientists to the classroom. She has mixed feelings about Common Core but is skeptical that its just one more fad designed to make some education contractor very wealthy - like all the past fads. She is happy she doesn't have to teach math Common Core, although she has taught Algebra when asked.
Unfortunately, I'm not very good support. I actually encourage her fairly often to quit teaching, especially in St. Mary's where (unlike Calvert) there is no help, parent volunteers are an endangered species, and the pay is a bad joke, for her health. While I miss her company, I'm much more concerned about the health consequences of the long hours and burnout. I see her swollen ankles at night when she puts them up after 10 hours on her feet at school and bring her ice paks while she grades papers. She is dedicated to "her kids" and I think she keeps going for the occasional success stories who return to her class after completing med school to thank her for instilling a joy for learning and science.
I could never do what she does. Our kids gave us a gift certificate for CD Cafe at Christmas. We haven't used it. She's always working or taking more classes to improve her lessons for her kids. We'll give the gift back to them so at least someone will enjoy it.
Thanks for the kind words.
Last edited:
intertidal
New Member
Mine too. We need to start a lonely husband's club for those of us married to teachers.
mamatutu
mama to two
First of all, you are good hub to help with the ice packs. Also, I like you because you say how you feel. When I do that, I get into deep trouble on here.
I was in pre-vet for two years at LSU and realized I would become the crazy cat lady if I continued. I would have brought home every unwanted animal, and been too sad when putting one to sleep. Darn heart! I graduated in Social Welfare and Gov Agencies with a minor in Psych; so I have first hand on how that all works. That is before I knew better. Anyway, teachers are so important to our children. So many parents don't parent, and think of teachers as babysitters. I think teaching is the most noble profession in the world. It is what really shapes our children, and their future life. School is not only academic, but social learning. Teachers have a lot to do with that. Sadly, some children just don't want to learn, and the parents checked out a long time ago, but that is not a teachers fault. Go, teachers! 
Edit: Swollen ankles is a sign of high blood pressure. Just wanted to mention that in case y'all hadn't had it checked out. The best to your wife in the coming school year.
Last edited:
intertidal
New Member
First of all, you are good hub to help with the ice packs. Also, I like you because you say how you feel. When I do that, I get into deep trouble on here.
LOL - Yeah, saying it like we see it is not always appreciated. I actually had a job interview this afternoon at my agency with a panel of 5 interviewers and I told them that they would always know where I stand no matter where the chips fall for me personally. Not about to compromise my integrity to keep a job. I see these scared folks all the time and I tell them c'mon don't live your lives with your head down afraid to do the right thing just because someone at a higher rank might not like it. They might not offer me the job but at least I entertained them with a few good personal examples of fearlessness in the face of "authority".
If it wasn't for my wife, I'd be the male equivalent of the crazy cat lady. I love cats. Neighbor cats visit me to check in. They come to the door and I let them in (kinda freaks out relatives...). I had my best friend put down recently because he was suffering from advanced kidney disease. He loved to greet these neighbor cats and after leading them to his food dish for a snack, they would lie around happily like old men around a woodstove. I can't ever replace him, but I'd like to give a home to another one who needs it.
Last edited:
mamatutu
mama to two
Keep doing what you are doing in the face of authority. I don't think America realizes how important that is. I am old and out of the picture, work wise, but I will never not voice my opinion, or my love for this country that is slowly being chipped away. As far as pets, I have had them all my life from day one. I love them, but I can't do it anymore. We lost our dogs in the last two years (15), and our cats (14) are declining. But, I will foster in a minute. I am even thinking of fostering children, now that our two are grown and gone. I just am afraid of the getting too attached thing.
I guess I am not that old. I am 59 and growing.
intertidal
New Member
Keep doing what you are doing in the face of authority. I don't think America realizes how important that is. I am old and out of the picture, work wise, but I will never not voice my opinion, or my love for this country that is slowly being chipped away. As far as pets, I have had them all my life from day one. I love them, but I can't do it anymore. We lost our dogs in the last two years (15), and our cats (14) are declining. But, I will foster in a minute. I am even thinking of fostering children, now that our two are grown and gone. I just am afraid of the getting too attached thing.
I guess I am not that old. I am 59 and growing.
No you are not old. And what a great giving idea to consider fostering kids who need it. I agree 100% about the attachment, but that might be a good thing for you both. I'm afraid that we're away from home so long that keeping a cat and some fish is about the most commitment we can handle. I lost this sweet cat at only 13, so give yours a hug as you never know when you have to make that awful decision to end their suffering. My first cat loved me for 23 years.
Radiant1
Soul Probe
As far as I'm concerned, no. I was slightly amused by the OPs sensational-type headline, "Who's hurting the students". In my opinion, nobody is. And, it would appear from the amount of homework my girls are bringing home that the teachers are still doling out plenty anyway.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Ok 2080 hours minus 13 paid holidays (which I think is quite generous and most people don't get that) is 1976 hours lets take four weeks vacation (I think the average person gets three btw) and that takes us down to 1816 hrs. I really doubt the 1700 number, if they only include people whose regular week is 40 hrs.
Most people I know get Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Fourth of July, and Labor Day and three weeks vacation.
Oops don't want to forget Memorial Day.
Most people I know get Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Fourth of July, and Labor Day and three weeks vacation.
Oops don't want to forget Memorial Day.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Oh the humanity, by 8:20 ive been at work for over two hours already, one time I even stayed until 22:30. Told my boss that would never happen again though.
For all those folks busy counting and spinning number of work days. It's not that hard. Teachers are contracted to work a given amount of days. I'm retired after 37 years, so I don't keep track any more. A teacher must work the number of days contracted. They may not go to work on given holidays, but they are not paid holidays. They must work the total number of contracted days. Forget all the fancy subtractions for holidays,snow days, ect. Contracted days!
Summers: kiss off two weeks for courses required to maintain your certification. Kiss off at least 3 days to one week (for elementary teachers) to prepare the classroom in the fall.
For my wife, kiss off about 1-2k for supplies during the year.
Who do you think provides pens, pencils, notebooks, treats, party supplies, rewards, classroom decorations, supplies for parent-night and after school activities? Certainly not the taxpayers.
Summers: kiss off two weeks for courses required to maintain your certification. Kiss off at least 3 days to one week (for elementary teachers) to prepare the classroom in the fall.
For my wife, kiss off about 1-2k for supplies during the year.
Who do you think provides pens, pencils, notebooks, treats, party supplies, rewards, classroom decorations, supplies for parent-night and after school activities? Certainly not the taxpayers.
Radiant1
Soul Probe
Are you exempt or non-exempt?
Just from my experience, I know who supplies after school activities supplies, the PTA!
My wife and I were heavily involved in the PTA when our kids were in elementary school and I can't tell you how much money the parents donated to the supplies, along with their time, to make after school activities happen, all the teachers did was supply their time, rarely did they contribute anything else.
As for who supplies pens, pencils, etc, the parent do, why do you think there is 3 boxes of pencils on school supply lists, there's even dry erase markers, paper towels, tissues and other things the teacher needs because I know the kids aren't coloring with dry erase markers.
Also, again from my own experience, the PTA will give each teacher money at the end of the year to help offset what they spent on supplies, the last year my kid was in elementary school the PTA gave each teacher $100. Now, each teacher was suppose to supply receipts to the PTA board before they were told how much they were going to get and the max one teacher spent for that year was $137.
And, when it came time to do an after school activity, sometimes it was difficult to get a teacher to stay after because IAW with the schools regulations, any PTA function had to a teacher/administrator present. Any after school activity hosted by the school staff was heavily supported by the PTA by both man power and funding, if it wasn't for the PTA, there would only be one or two teachers there.
Don't give me this crap about how much teachers spend and how much time they stay for after school activities, I saw it first hand for over six years and what I saw directly contradicts what you stated.
BTW, I work 1920 hours a year, I only get 10 paid holidays and have to take 10 vacation days a year, otherwise, I'm logging 1920 hours each and that doesn't count the numerous hours I've spent working at home late at night and over weekends in order to meet deadlines because some other activity can't get us the info in a timely manner.
Last edited:
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Exempt
NorthBeachPerso
Honorary SMIB
I'd like to know where that PTA is. I'm not doubting you but what you experienced is the exception and not the rule. In 30+ years I have received exactly $0 from the PTA at the three schools I've been assigned to.
Spent $75 or so last night for supplies.
Edit: They did supply 3 dozen donuts today for 67 teachers.
Location removed for privacy concerns.
Last edited:
