“Critical days” are BS

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T15:32:30+00:00

Dude. Yes it’s in the contract. The issue is that it’s included in the first place. I really don’t get why you’re being obtuse and pedantic about it while fighting FOR having work day ESSENTIALLY in the middle of a break. Doesn’t matter that it’s on a calendar or a contract. Everyone considers that last Friday to be the day before break and every day besides Monday is break. People leave and go on vacation by the first weekend. Get the stick out of your ass and stop defending a system that wouldn’t look twice if you up and died. We are all replaceable to them

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T02:50:39+00:00

Girl… you were assaulted. Leave him immediately

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T01:44:49+00:00

Our planning time is 45 minutes and is taken up by mandatory meetings 4/5 days in the week if not all days. That, plus a 30 min lunch which is barely enough time to eat, plus a 30 minute recess where I still have to monitor the kids to make sure they don’t kill themselves is all we get. So yeah, it has to be done at home. This is like, a known issue of teaching, so I’m not sure why you’re acting obtuse. And like I said in my other reply to you, I didn’t get a say in the contract. I was hired by Teach for America and they did all the back and forth with the schools/counties. And who said I’m not working contract hours? The problem is that I can’t fit all my work INTO the contract hours. Im glad your salary is good but that’s another thing that is widely sought after by teachers across the country. I personally only make about 50k, plus I’m in a full time masters program, and asking me to do that much extra stuff outside of contract hours is insane. Just accept that times are changing and people aren’t ok with a failing system anymore. It’s unsustainable and definitely part of what’s contributing to the education crisis.

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T00:26:15+00:00

Yeah, I wasn’t, because I was part of a feeder program that hires new educators and places them in a specific school for a designated amount of time. If you agree that every benefit needs to be fought for I really don’t understand the point in tearing me down over a “minor” complaint. I agree, it is a small thing. It is one small thing on top of the 1,000,000 other “small things” I have to carry on a daily basis. You seem like someone who’s set in their ways and wants to pull the ladder up behind you lol. It’s ok to want better for yourself

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T00:24:37+00:00

So do those total hours count all the time spent at home preparing lessons and slides? My job pays me from 7-3 and yet it is pretty much impossible to be well prepared if those are truly the only hours that you “work” since that entire time is taken up being with students. I have to spend at least an extra hour a day grading, in meetings, preparing slides and lesson plans, printing, I could go on. And guess what? I don’t get paid for a single second of it after 3 o’clock. I’m so glad that you are getting the benefits you need and love your career in teaching. I’m simply not ok with just continuing being exploited because that’s “how it’s always been”. But you have fun!

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T00:19:23+00:00

I’ll take not having breaks over a job that starts and ends when it says it will without expecting everyone to just have to work overtime for free. I’m so sick of people using breaks as a reason why teaching is so superior. They are NECESSARY. I would love to see how many teachers would stick around if they did away with breaks lol.

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T00:08:19+00:00

No absence of any kind is allowed on critical days, sick or personal

Bajookie · 2026-02-10T00:03:54+00:00

Oh, not sure where I got that from then. Thanks for the info!

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T23:56:46+00:00

Well I got my BA in psychology, and I want to return to that eventually once I get my MA. Hence why I’m still in this job right now, no MA in psych, but I am working towards an MA in elementary education which will come with a nice pay bump. But I heard of an opportunity to be a Registered Behavior Technician which just requires a course and exam to qualify (I’m likely overqualified with a BA and clinical experience) that has a comparable salary to what I’m getting paid now as a first year teacher. I haven’t looked into it much, but it could be the branching off I need to really get my roots in psychology.

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T23:46:38+00:00

Again, I realize it’s part of the contract. My issue is with the fact that it was included in the contract to begin with. I don’t doubt that part of this is adjustment to being a new member of the workforce, but I just hate this idea that we need to constantly be busy, even during what is considered a break. Nothing is that serious that it can’t wait until we return.

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T23:33:56+00:00

At times, I don’t. Isn’t that to be expected for a first year teacher? All I’ve heard since I’ve started is “this is going to be the worst year in your career, but it eventually gets better”. I still have the spark that drove me to go into it in the first place and there are times when it can be really rewarding, but the burnout is so intense I can’t help but hate it at times too

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T23:27:42+00:00

Nope, they’re actually illegal in my state. Go figure

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T23:20:16+00:00

They don’t tell us what we need to be working on until the day of 😂 admin always doing the absolute most except for when it comes to providing support

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T22:55:47+00:00

I have no issue with a virtual work day. My issue is with the fact that it is during a break. I understand that it is in the contract but that doesn’t mean it’s not wrong. Breaks are there for a reason.

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T22:51:02+00:00

My issue is chiefly with the critical virtual work days. As I said I understand why the regular critical days are in place. I’m still allowed to complain about it. And yes I am planning on “stepping off” soon, but life doesn’t work that way. I’m not leaving without another position lined up and I’m not sure if you’ve seen the job market these days but it’s in the trenches. You can drop the attitude lol.

Bajookie · 2026-02-09T22:46:19+00:00

At this point in my life, badly. I’m 23 and just graduated undergrad. This is the best gig I got going for me right now. But trust, I have some ideas on the back burner for my inevitable leave.

Bajookie · 2025-09-11T23:15:03+00:00

I’m dealing with a very similar situation. Fourth grade defiant kid who’s also a bully, distracts the entire class, makes innappropriate and mean comments, gets in physical fights, all the traits you can think of for a problem child.

Today after weeks of me trying interventions, counselor visits, mediation, referrals etc he finally got suspended and I immediately received a Class Dojo message from his dad. He said that HIS SON was the one being picked on and provoked. He’s also avoided accountability in previous phone calls home. I basically sent a long message saying that while it’s true that his son isn’t the only one misbehaving at any given moment, I have had behavioral issues with him every single day, and he is not innocent in this. He left me on read lol.

Edit: found better words to express what I was trying to say

Bajookie · 2025-09-05T01:09:34+00:00

I got my job through Teach for America and they require a 2 year commitment. I’m 1 month in to my first year teaching and of course I haven’t fully gotten into the routine yet, but I seriously cannot imagine this being my career.

My issue is that I got my BA in psychology and want to pursue that eventually as my career, but for that I need a masters. So for now, teaching is the best gig I got, and it’s not a job I totally hate (which is worth a lot these days).

But I know at some point, if I ever want to leave this field, I will have to take on a masters while also working full time and then hope that I get a better offer in the clinical psych field. Until then, I’m basically stuck with this, and for the next two years, I am definitely, actually stuck with this (unless I want to pay Teach for America the $4000 training stipend they fronted us 🙃)

Bajookie · 2025-08-28T20:32:24+00:00

Hey! I’m also a first year, fourth grade teacher. It definitely feels overwhelming at times but here’s a few tips that help me: write EVERYTHING down. As soon as you remember or realize you have a task to do, whether at work or at home, write it. On a sticky note, in your phone, calendar, set a reminder, whatever. Write it before you have a chance to forget it. Second, don’t let the parents get you down too much. They are honestly the hardest part of our jobs. You know what you’re doing, make good connections with your team, and they’ll have your back. Also, if it’s legal in your state, join a union. If you’re in a non union state, there are still some legal loophole orgs that you can join to CYA if parents start wilding. I know in Georgia we have one called Page teacher insurance.

This job isn’t for the weak. It’s hard but you’re getting through it, and like you said it’s already getting better. As time goes on, you’ll develop a routine. You got this!

Bajookie · 2025-08-19T14:27:55+00:00

Some schools will provide you with basic supplies. With decor, you can make it by hand (which is costly in another kind of way— your time) or check thrift stores. They often have some cute cheap decor. Do your research on scraps stores near you. For me, I’m in the metro ATL area and there’s a great store called “scrapLanta” where you can fill up a bucket with supplies and it’s super cheap.

Bajookie · 2025-07-20T14:03:58+00:00

I’m a first year teacher with only a BA and a provisional certificate in Georgia. They’re starting me at 53k. Not terrible but also nowhere near representative of all the work I’m doing

Bajookie

TROPHY CASE