For all the teachers out there

**Banditbandit** · 28th January 2015, 10:43

As school holidays are ending - this made me think of all you teachers on the forum ...

**mashman** · 28th January 2015, 11:13

Bon chance.

**Hitcher** · 28th January 2015, 11:19

Thirteen weeks paid holiday each year. My heart bleeds.

**awa355** · 28th January 2015, 11:26

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Thirteen weeks paid holiday each year. My heart bleeds.

Oh, come on Hitch, the lady down the street had to go back a week early just to get things sorted for the start of the new term.

**mansell** · 28th January 2015, 15:37

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Thirteen weeks paid holiday each year. My heart bleeds.

Every time i hear this comment I use the standard reply - spend 3-4 years at a university then another year at teachers' college - rack up a huge student loan debt, deal with 80-100 teenagers a day and you too can have 12 weeks holidays

. The interesting thing is although the students start back next week I have been in work since the 12th just to get stuff organised. Oops I forgot to mention on top of the teaching load there is also the sports team you coach which means you don't have a saturday for the season and all the work that is done from home. Trust me it's easier working in industry (yes I did that for nearly 20 years before I started teaching).

**Moi** · 28th January 2015, 15:56

That's great and have passed it on...

Yesterday was my last day on the payroll after 40+ years in teaching - taught from New Entrants through to tertiary level and I know which teachers I have the most respect and admiration for...

My riposte to "thirteen weeks holiday" and you "only work 9 to 3" is: If you think it is so fantastic then why not join me for a week with my class? Have never had anyone accept the invitation...

Will definitely miss the fantastic colleagues and the wonderful kids in all of their glories, but not the paper war.

**oldrider** · 28th January 2015, 16:09

Originally Posted by mansell

Every time i hear this comment I use the standard reply - spend 3-4 years at a university then another year at teachers' college - rack up a huge student loan debt, deal with 80-100 teenagers a day and you too can have 12 weeks holidays

. The interesting thing is although the students start back next week I have been in work since the 12th just to get stuff organised. Oops I forgot to mention on top of the teaching load there is also the sports team you coach which means you don't have a saturday for the season and all the work that is done from home. Trust me it's easier working in industry (yes I did that for nearly 20 years before I started teaching).

OK - I'll buy that but why are you still there? -

. http://psychology.about.com/od/cogni...dissonance.htm .

**sidecar bob** · 28th January 2015, 16:55

Originally Posted by Moi

My riposte to "thirteen weeks holiday" and you "only work 9 to 3" is: If you think it is so fantastic then why not join me for a week with my class? Have never had anyone accept the invitation...

Thats because most of us had a gutsful of school long before the day we walked out for the last time.
Why the hell would you would want to spend your whole life going back to school?

**mansell** · 28th January 2015, 17:09

Originally Posted by oldrider

OK - I'll buy that but why are you still there? -

. http://psychology.about.com/od/cogni...dissonance.htm .

Strangely enough I actually enjoy the job, sometimes the bullshit that we have to put up with outside the classroom pisses me off but generally inside the classroom when it is humming is a fantastic place and really rewarding.

**nerrrd** · 28th January 2015, 17:09

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Thats because most of us had a gutsful of school long before the day we walked out for the last time.
Why the hell would you would want to spend your whole life going back to school?

Yeah that whole education thing, what a complete waste of everybody's time

.

**sidecar bob** · 28th January 2015, 17:21

Originally Posted by nerrrd

Yeah that whole education thing, what a complete waste of everybody's time

.

We'll no, now you're just being a dick in a feeble attempt to make me look stupid.
In the time since I've left school I've paid off well over $1,000,000 worth of debt, none of it student debt & have assets to show for it accordingly. School was a waste of time for me, it doesn't make school or me stupid.
School hated hands on free thinkers with their own ideas, I'm not sure if it still does.

**PrincessBandit** · 28th January 2015, 17:35

Hahaha, I must say I was quite looking forward to going back today. Kids back next week, and this year I have the pleasure of a fresh batch of babies starting year 9 for my form class. I can't wait to whip 'em into shape

and train 'em up for their 5 years stuck with me as their form teacher. (Just kidding...just kidding; although technically they should have me as their form teacher until they leave, lucky little sausages).

Pushing work out of my mind for the last few weeks is the only way I am able to return recharged and bright eyed and bushy tailed to face the new onslaught!

**Trade_nancy** · 28th January 2015, 17:37

Originally Posted by mansell

Every time i hear this comment I use the standard reply - spend 3-4 years at a university then another year at teachers' college - rack up a huge student loan debt, deal with 80-100 teenagers a day and you too can have 12 weeks holidays

. The interesting thing is although the students start back next week I have been in work since the 12th just to get stuff organised. Oops I forgot to mention on top of the teaching load there is also the sports team you coach which means you don't have a saturday for the season and all the work that is done from home. Trust me it's easier working in industry (yes I did that for nearly 20 years before I started teaching).

People who are self-employed - especially tradesmen also take sports teams, run school committees, work on their weekends and spent countless hours on charitable work - where do they get more annual leave? They contribute 80% of this country's tax income. What percentage would your profession contribute?
Your lot as a teacher is easy compared to many. I'm no longer a small business proprietor - but was for 15 years of stress and worry....no annual leave..but would get 10 days off a year somehow.
As Fred Dagg sang "You don't know how lucky you are...MATE".

**PrincessBandit** · 28th January 2015, 17:41

Originally Posted by Trade_nancy

People who are self-employed - especially tradesmen also take sports teams, run school committees, work on their weekends and spent countless hours on charitable work - where do they get more annual leave? ...
Your lot as a teacher is easy compared to many.....
As Fred Dagg sang "You don't know how lucky you are...MATE".

Cry me a fricken river; eat a handful of sour grapes if you find it hard to get the tears started.