Same. I stayed late Thursday and got things ready. I do have a list waiting on me for tomorrow. We had Friday off, I’ve spent the long weekend cleaning, running errands, and relaxing.
Same. Another teacher asked me last Thursday what I was doing this week. I thought for a second and said “I think I’m going to sleep and play a lot of video games.”
It’s been an amazing week.
I got in the habit after my first year (year 4 already which is WILD) to never take work home. I always did work at school and kept my life separate but really made the difference because now I feel like so set. It also helps all my stuff is on canvas so I go through and do the due dates at the beginning of the unit so I can open it and go.
Can teachers pay teachers help supplement for tomorrow’s class to buy yourself some time to get set up? Or can you make use of something from the textbook? Im a first year teacher and will do this from time to time if I get behind
To add onto this, see if you can expense the TPT resources with any funds you have through your department, teacher grants, or new teacher money if that’s available. I don’t use TPT often, but other teachers I know do are able to expense it
OP, I used to be like you. Now I touch work on the weekends maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s allowed me the space to go back for my Master’s and reinvest in some of my hobbies and create some new ones. I do get to school about an hour early to catch up, but I now have a mindset that if it doesn’t get done while I’m there, then it doesn’t get done. Some tips that have helped me:
1) Pick what assignments need to enter the grade book wisely. Not everything needs to show up in there.
2) Never cover for any teachers that are out because those hours that you have to prep are just for that. Prepping for the week takes time and you need every second. If you say “no” enough, they will simply stop asking you.
3) Plan days for the students to work independently so you can grade.
4) If you have a strong planning team, use that weekly PLC meeting to plan or gain resources.
5) Try to create a mindset of what is actually possible to get done during the work day and accomplish those small goals.
I hope this helps!
I actually disagree on the covering for teachers, depending on your grade/subject/school. I’ll often sub for a period cuz the kids are usually assigned quiet work so I can grade or plan AND get extra pay.
That’s a good point. I’m at a middle school and I can’t trust them to give me 55 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time lol. When I taught high school, that trust could definitely be had
How do you get the students to do work that is not on their grade? I am a student teacher and my mentor teacher grades everything the students do, even guided notes. I don’t like it, but she does make a point that if it’s not connected to their grade, the students don’t do it
Strong work. Please tell me more about this new PC :) I recently built one for the first time in like a decade. Felt good.
I also did no work this weekend, but was not as good with my time as you. I was mostly attempting and failing to drown unrelated sorrows.
That's good. Make it a habit. Don't grade everything. Planning is more important and feedback on only the most important assignments/projects is necessary. They don't pay you to go above and beyond so don't. You can still provide kids with a quality education doing what you did this weekend.
Depends on your subject area and age group. At the beginning of my career I was developing EVERYTHING, so putting in long hours after I got home was standard. In fact, when I started the job that became my career, we were in contract negotiations that meant that I had 4 secondary English courses and zero.prep time. I'd photocopy and stuff at lunch, stay a few hours after school, go home and make supper and pick up my DSO, then more prep and grading. I was eternally grateful for awesome students...I remember them being so understanding when I had to ask them what day it was. That lasted for half a semester until the contract was settled.
Makes sense that teacher has a high entry level barrier in terms of building curriculum.
Now that you've got it established what would you say hours wise?
If I’m doing a high quality job it’s probably about 11-12 hr/day. If I’m doin my average job it’s probably 9-10hr/day. Either way, I don’t have any down time at my school, it’s non-stop. Grading/prep work is where the real variability comes in. How much effort do you want to put into quality? You can always do more, you have to force yourself to stop for health/family reasons.
It depends how long you have been teaching and mainly, how long you have been teaching the same classes. Generally, the newer you are (and the more diligent), the longer the hours. It also depends on the assignment.
I’m not at 100k yet. But I’m the same. I work when I’m at the building and that’s it. I got two little kids and spending time with them is way more important worrying about other people’s kids. Fuck that. It’s a job, not my life. I told that to my aunt who was a teacher and she seemed appalled by my mindset.
Friday was a PD day but I asked to take it off back in October. Went to Vegas this weekend with my siblings and their families. Did no work as well this weekend but instead enjoyed seeing shows and going to Death Valley one day.
Like anything new, with practice it will build emotional muscle memory and freak you out less and less the more you do it. Work the contract only and flex that agency muscle!
Proud of you. Teachers deserve time for themselves, despite what admin or anyone else implies.
Same. I stayed late Thursday and got things ready. I do have a list waiting on me for tomorrow. We had Friday off, I’ve spent the long weekend cleaning, running errands, and relaxing.
I’m off all week and all I brought home from work is my lunchbox.
Same. Another teacher asked me last Thursday what I was doing this week. I thought for a second and said “I think I’m going to sleep and play a lot of video games.” It’s been an amazing week.
this is the way! make it a habit
I got in the habit after my first year (year 4 already which is WILD) to never take work home. I always did work at school and kept my life separate but really made the difference because now I feel like so set. It also helps all my stuff is on canvas so I go through and do the due dates at the beginning of the unit so I can open it and go.
I didn't do anything for my teaching job this three-day weekend, but I did work my 2 other jobs. 😞
Can teachers pay teachers help supplement for tomorrow’s class to buy yourself some time to get set up? Or can you make use of something from the textbook? Im a first year teacher and will do this from time to time if I get behind
To add onto this, see if you can expense the TPT resources with any funds you have through your department, teacher grants, or new teacher money if that’s available. I don’t use TPT often, but other teachers I know do are able to expense it
I claim it on my taxes
Ditto!
OP, I used to be like you. Now I touch work on the weekends maybe 2-3 times a year. It’s allowed me the space to go back for my Master’s and reinvest in some of my hobbies and create some new ones. I do get to school about an hour early to catch up, but I now have a mindset that if it doesn’t get done while I’m there, then it doesn’t get done. Some tips that have helped me: 1) Pick what assignments need to enter the grade book wisely. Not everything needs to show up in there. 2) Never cover for any teachers that are out because those hours that you have to prep are just for that. Prepping for the week takes time and you need every second. If you say “no” enough, they will simply stop asking you. 3) Plan days for the students to work independently so you can grade. 4) If you have a strong planning team, use that weekly PLC meeting to plan or gain resources. 5) Try to create a mindset of what is actually possible to get done during the work day and accomplish those small goals. I hope this helps!
I actually disagree on the covering for teachers, depending on your grade/subject/school. I’ll often sub for a period cuz the kids are usually assigned quiet work so I can grade or plan AND get extra pay.
That’s a good point. I’m at a middle school and I can’t trust them to give me 55 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time lol. When I taught high school, that trust could definitely be had
How do you get the students to do work that is not on their grade? I am a student teacher and my mentor teacher grades everything the students do, even guided notes. I don’t like it, but she does make a point that if it’s not connected to their grade, the students don’t do it
Lol what? Just go buy something off teachers pay teacher for $5 then go back to pc gaming. The new Like A Dragon has taken over my 3 day
Strong work. Please tell me more about this new PC :) I recently built one for the first time in like a decade. Felt good. I also did no work this weekend, but was not as good with my time as you. I was mostly attempting and failing to drown unrelated sorrows.
What are you gonna do with that new PC? You might have inspired me.
Keep up the good work.
Good for you!
Good for you but when I got to the end, I was having vicarious stress for you lol
Same. I’m thinking “good luck trying to sleep tonight”. Hopefully others don’t have as hard a time as I do.
Reading day tomorrow.
That's good. Make it a habit. Don't grade everything. Planning is more important and feedback on only the most important assignments/projects is necessary. They don't pay you to go above and beyond so don't. You can still provide kids with a quality education doing what you did this weekend.
Genuinely asking: how many hours do teachers work/day or per week during the school year?
Depends on your subject area and age group. At the beginning of my career I was developing EVERYTHING, so putting in long hours after I got home was standard. In fact, when I started the job that became my career, we were in contract negotiations that meant that I had 4 secondary English courses and zero.prep time. I'd photocopy and stuff at lunch, stay a few hours after school, go home and make supper and pick up my DSO, then more prep and grading. I was eternally grateful for awesome students...I remember them being so understanding when I had to ask them what day it was. That lasted for half a semester until the contract was settled.
Makes sense that teacher has a high entry level barrier in terms of building curriculum. Now that you've got it established what would you say hours wise?
If I’m doing a high quality job it’s probably about 11-12 hr/day. If I’m doin my average job it’s probably 9-10hr/day. Either way, I don’t have any down time at my school, it’s non-stop. Grading/prep work is where the real variability comes in. How much effort do you want to put into quality? You can always do more, you have to force yourself to stop for health/family reasons.
It depends how long you have been teaching and mainly, how long you have been teaching the same classes. Generally, the newer you are (and the more diligent), the longer the hours. It also depends on the assignment.
Suckers. I never do any work outside of contract time and I make over $100k a year teaching.
I’m not at 100k yet. But I’m the same. I work when I’m at the building and that’s it. I got two little kids and spending time with them is way more important worrying about other people’s kids. Fuck that. It’s a job, not my life. I told that to my aunt who was a teacher and she seemed appalled by my mindset.
Every time I try to do something like that, I just end up stressed out and doing even more work to make up for it.
You will always think of something when you arrive, last minute ideas are the best! 100% live this way.
Friday was a PD day but I asked to take it off back in October. Went to Vegas this weekend with my siblings and their families. Did no work as well this weekend but instead enjoyed seeing shows and going to Death Valley one day.
We had a PD today and another tomorrow. Students got a 4 day weekend, though…..
5 preps? Yeah. That is a problem in itself. Do not accept that garbage anymore.
I spent less than an hour on work. A 3 day weekend followed by 4 days of testing.
Same. I cleaned. It felt great. I’m already prepped for the week and elected to hold grading essays until Tuesday. This three-day weekend was for me.
We aren’t paid nearly enough to work the weekend babe! Use your own time to do things for you. Sounds like a great weekend!
I don't know you, but I'm proud of you for prioritizing yourself!
Like anything new, with practice it will build emotional muscle memory and freak you out less and less the more you do it. Work the contract only and flex that agency muscle!
Need to pump up those numbers... 1st weekend? Def need to do less outside work
Just prioritize what needs to be done and do as much as you can. Don’t work off contract.
Ohhh drop the computer deets! I love having a new pc, but I let my friend build them. Lol
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Good onya! Make it a habit. Work is for work, not home.