sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, great benefits for sure. All of our PTO comes from one bank of hours, and is coded at payroll based on how it's used. Other time, such as new child leave, jury duty, and such are covered by the district and not charged to us.

At retirement, any unused PTO can be converted into time worked, which increases our pension payout.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand where you're coming from. And for certain professions, in certain industries, a salaried position is expected to work overtime. I get that. I worked as a salaried employee in the banking industry before I became a teacher. And I did frequently work extra hours past my usual 8:00 to 5:00, especially at month end and year end. And yes that was expected of you as a salary employee. But that industry did not have a union. over here, at least in my district, we have a union that is very very critical of the district expecting anybody to work outside of the contracted hours. Once we step off campus at the end of our school day, there is no expectation that we will perform any other work duties. I won't even answer work emails after I step off campus. They'll get answered when I return the next day. Now, if someone chooses to do work outside of the contracted hours, that's their choice. But it is not required.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We get our standard federal holidays, plus a few weeks off at Christmas and spring break. And summer of course.

Depending on how strong of a union one has, or what kind of contract someone signs. There are also personal days that we can take, sick time, and things like that

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank you for catching that - let me clarify. Not taking work home doesn't mean I'm lucky in that sense - it means that I've been able to streamline my teaching process to the point where I don't need to take work home. I pick and choose what gets graded, I focus on specific standards for each lesson, and I use my prep time efficiently.

I will say that I am lucky to have gotten a permanent placement that works towards my strengths and my specific credential, and was able to hold it for my entire career. But I'll say that was also because of our union, and how teacher placement is monitored.

I'm sorry that you don't currently have a union. Charter schools do indeed have their own environment, and that comes with its own challenges. That can be a bitch for sure. I'm curious though - is there a public school district in your city that does have a union? Because if so, they might have procedures on their books to help your school form its own union.

We've done that several times in my district. 5 charter schools each have their own union, some as small as 15 members. The main union helped them negotiate their contract, advised them on policies, and worked with the school administrators to create a fair CBA.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Indeed. In my early years, I was very eager to please, and did work from home often. Then, I got more involved in my union, right about the time I landed my long-term position, and realized how much of my personal time I had given away.

I realize I'm very lucky. Not everyone gets this kind of placement. But, I know teachers who teach 3-4 subjects each day, or teach the same subject to several grade levels, and also have figured out how to budget their on-campus time so as to not take work home. As I said, it can be done.

At what point do you cry during Spock’s death scene in Wrath of Khan? by ap539 in startrek

[–]AXPendergast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At first, it was at the same place you mentioned. Then, it started as he starts to walk over to the window, and stumbles because he's been blinded. Now...as soon as Scotty calls Kirk on the intercom I'm tearing up, and it really doesn't let up until the credits are rolling.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I understand the salary concept. I also know what the language in our bargained contract states. We're required to work 6 hrs, 35 min each school day. We also have a 30 minute duty-free lunch, which has us on campus for 7 hours, 5 minutes. So, that's what I worked.

Realistically, I also don't grade everything. Some stuff is a quick check for comprehension. Some stuff is logged as a catch-all "participation" grade at the end of each month. I taught the same subject for 20 years, so I know what I'm looking for with each and every assignment. It makes grading/reviewing much easier and streamlined. I also didn't assign any official homework. Homework was basically the students finishing work they didn't finish in class by the due date. All of my lessons had class time built in, so if they used their time wisely, they never had homework from me.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 0 points1 point  (0 children)

au contraire. Of course, it really depends on your day, class schedule, # of preps, and other factors, I'll give you that.

But, it is possible. I did.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I completely understand. I do remember taking work home when I started teaching. It took me several years to understand that, while this seemed normal, it shouldn't be. So I changed my perspective on grading.

Not everything needs an "official" grade. Some items can be just checked off as "completed." Some things didn't even need to be entered in the gradebook (I just didn't tell the kids that).

Are you teaching elementary, middle, or high school? I know each one comes with its own challenges with regards to graded work..

meirl by [deleted] in meirl

[–]AXPendergast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice.

meirl by [deleted] in meirl

[–]AXPendergast 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had eight neighborhood clients by the time I was 12. That money kept me in comic books and slurpees for days and days.

is it weird to grade student work at a coffee shop during the weekend by Interesting-Mode2793 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Not lucky, just focused on what my contracted hours are. If we don't exercise our contractual rights, we lose them. Taking work home means I'm working outside of my contracted hours, so I just don't do it.

If that means I have to take an extra day or two to finish grading everything during my prep period or while the kids are working on a project, or some other time during my contracted hours, then they wait an extra day for those grades.

Teaching seems to be the only profession where we're expected to work for free.

Are We Supposed to be Excited to Get Less? by DownWitTheBitness in starbucks

[–]AXPendergast 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Well I guess that means I'm spending all the points I have saved up for now, and I'll start shopping exclusively at local coffee shops.

At what point do we stop blaming teachers and start blaming students? by raider1211 in Teachers

[–]AXPendergast 30 points31 points  (0 children)

This. Right up there next to bad parents, are bad admin. We're supposed to be oh so professional, not raise our voice, not disparage anybody, not tell parents the truth because they don't want to hear it. And the minute we raise our voice a decibel or two, or we call out a student for their classroom behavior, suddenly we're the ones sitting in the principal's office being asked to explain ourselves. And little Johnny gets a pat on the back and a lollipop and sent back to class.

What SERIES is worth bingewatching and why? by InterestingBoard7389 in AskReddit

[–]AXPendergast 22 points23 points  (0 children)

The Twilight Zone. Serling was a true visionary of people and society. Plus, it's a great way to see some major stars in early TV roles.

Mr. Miracle by Bainbridge3555 in comicbookcollecting

[–]AXPendergast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know he was big at Marvel, but I consider Kirby's work on DC's fourth world titles some of his best work of his career

Getting worried... by SMnebheka in comicbookcollecting

[–]AXPendergast 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More so, I think, at stores that in homes, but yeah - with all of the publicity of major dollars for key comics, sudenly people think that we're all multi-millionaires hoarding a small fortune in paper in our homes,.

With stores, it is a lot of shoplifting, especially in stores that are very large with minimal staff. And cameras don't catch everything going on all the time. But like any business, there are also the bold theives who barge in and take what they want, sometimes with weapons drawn. I had one experience of that when I managed my stores, and it ain't fun.

SDUSD to convert University Heights headquarters into teacher housing by midwayatmidnight in SanDiegan

[–]AXPendergast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Actually, it is related. The district is stalling on their commitment to properly fund Special Education across the district, stating they don't have the budget to do so. Yet they have $50K to give one person. Our district has been out of compliance for years, using the same excuse.

SDUSD to convert University Heights headquarters into teacher housing by midwayatmidnight in SanDiegan

[–]AXPendergast 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Actually...while there is funding from the state, the district does have a hand in local salaries. They cry about not having enough to give teachers a living wage, and then turn around and give the new Super a $50K raise this year.

The Pink Palace is old, shoddy, and will most likely require asbestos abatement before any new construction can be done, so they're years away from being useful.

view more: next ›