Teacher still hasn’t submitted letter of recommendation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DW is a teacher and got 9 done yesterday (took a personal day under the weight of all the 50 she has). Only 4 left and they will indeed get done. BTW, for those kids and parents who were rude right as she was writing the rec letter, guess what the letter is going to say..... As others have said, letters of rec are a gift to your child. They are not a right. They will get done people. I hope all of you pay all bills weeks early and get projects done at work a month ahead of time. Because that is what you are asking the teachers to do.

Many of us do pay bills early and get projects done early to avoid any last minute rush/disaster/surprises. Surely, you understand that?

It’s so easy to judge from the outside, isn’t it?

I’m one of the several teachers posting on this thread. My department is taking turns using personal days so we can stay home and get letters done.

And, to add insult to injury, we have to cover each others’ classes since we have no subs.

So we are taking leave AND losing planning periods in order to write these letters, some of which we were just asked to do this week.

You’re right. I guess we could simply knock them out at home. It’s not like we have our own families or other obligations. And it’s not like we have other work (planning, grading) that we already use our evenings and weekends to do.

So simple to judge. Much harder to live the reality.

Schools should pay for your time so you can do them on weekends. Not 1.5x - just regular pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DW is a teacher and got 9 done yesterday (took a personal day under the weight of all the 50 she has). Only 4 left and they will indeed get done. BTW, for those kids and parents who were rude right as she was writing the rec letter, guess what the letter is going to say..... As others have said, letters of rec are a gift to your child. They are not a right. They will get done people. I hope all of you pay all bills weeks early and get projects done at work a month ahead of time. Because that is what you are asking the teachers to do.

Many of us do pay bills early and get projects done early to avoid any last minute rush/disaster/surprises. Surely, you understand that?

It’s so easy to judge from the outside, isn’t it?

I’m one of the several teachers posting on this thread. My department is taking turns using personal days so we can stay home and get letters done.

And, to add insult to injury, we have to cover each others’ classes since we have no subs.

So we are taking leave AND losing planning periods in order to write these letters, some of which we were just asked to do this week.

You’re right. I guess we could simply knock them out at home. It’s not like we have our own families or other obligations. And it’s not like we have other work (planning, grading) that we already use our evenings and weekends to do.

So simple to judge. Much harder to live the reality.

Schools should pay for your time so you can do them on weekends. Not 1.5x - just regular pay.

Many of us are already working weekends. I grade all my papers on Saturdays and Sundays.

We aren’t going to get paid for weekend work. Frankly, it would bankrupt the county.

Plus, a valid argument could be made: why pay for letters but not for grading?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DW is a teacher and got 9 done yesterday (took a personal day under the weight of all the 50 she has). Only 4 left and they will indeed get done. BTW, for those kids and parents who were rude right as she was writing the rec letter, guess what the letter is going to say..... As others have said, letters of rec are a gift to your child. They are not a right. They will get done people. I hope all of you pay all bills weeks early and get projects done at work a month ahead of time. Because that is what you are asking the teachers to do.

Many of us do pay bills early and get projects done early to avoid any last minute rush/disaster/surprises. Surely, you understand that?

It’s so easy to judge from the outside, isn’t it?

I’m one of the several teachers posting on this thread. My department is taking turns using personal days so we can stay home and get letters done.

And, to add insult to injury, we have to cover each others’ classes since we have no subs.

So we are taking leave AND losing planning periods in order to write these letters, some of which we were just asked to do this week.

You’re right. I guess we could simply knock them out at home. It’s not like we have our own families or other obligations. And it’s not like we have other work (planning, grading) that we already use our evenings and weekends to do.

So simple to judge. Much harder to live the reality.

I would probably have a lot more sympathy if I met you in real life and you said it. But here you are wasting time on a message board while complaining that you have no time.

My point is that there are people who do things early. Many of the posts from teachers act like everyone works until the last minute.

[Anonymous]

My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

[Anonymous]

My first kid had a teacher submit her letter on November 2. That was nerve wracking!

My younger kid - class of ‘26 kid - had both letters in by early October. That leads me to my new theory - try to get younger teachers to write the recommendation. Teachers who are a couple years out of college and hopefully aren’t married with kids. They are still gung-ho and energetic and don’t have family responsibilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

Ok but why wait until literally the last minute. Tomorrow is 10-31 and the deadline is Nov 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

Ok but why wait until literally the last minute. Tomorrow is 10-31 and the deadline is Nov 1.

Because it doesn't matter. Other things take priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

Ok but why wait until literally the last minute. Tomorrow is 10-31 and the deadline is Nov 1.

Because it doesn't matter. Other things take priority.

The issue is we don't know if she will actually get it in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

Ok but why wait until literally the last minute. Tomorrow is 10-31 and the deadline is Nov 1.

Because it doesn't matter. Other things take priority.

It matters to my kid and his chance of admission which is nil if she doesn't get it in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DW is a teacher and got 9 done yesterday (took a personal day under the weight of all the 50 she has). Only 4 left and they will indeed get done. BTW, for those kids and parents who were rude right as she was writing the rec letter, guess what the letter is going to say..... As others have said, letters of rec are a gift to your child. They are not a right. They will get done people. I hope all of you pay all bills weeks early and get projects done at work a month ahead of time. Because that is what you are asking the teachers to do.

Many of us do pay bills early and get projects done early to avoid any last minute rush/disaster/surprises. Surely, you understand that?

It’s so easy to judge from the outside, isn’t it?

I’m one of the several teachers posting on this thread. My department is taking turns using personal days so we can stay home and get letters done.

And, to add insult to injury, we have to cover each others’ classes since we have no subs.

So we are taking leave AND losing planning periods in order to write these letters, some of which we were just asked to do this week.

You’re right. I guess we could simply knock them out at home. It’s not like we have our own families or other obligations. And it’s not like we have other work (planning, grading) that we already use our evenings and weekends to do.

So simple to judge. Much harder to live the reality.

I would probably have a lot more sympathy if I met you in real life and you said it. But here you are wasting time on a message board while complaining that you have no time.

My point is that there are people who do things early. Many of the posts from teachers act like everyone works until the last minute.

Well, I’m entitled to my breaks. You may not like that, but I feel like the occasional break from my work actually helps me focus better when I am grading and writing letters. Is that okay with you? That I take occasional breaks when I am at home?

Those of us sitting with stacks of letters, some I was asked for this week, are getting criticized right now because we aren’t doing unpaid, elective work fast enough for you.

While you’re at it, why don’t you head to the thread about teachers not grading fast enough, too? Or the one demanding that teachers take shifts monitoring bathrooms during their “free” period at work? Because how we use our time is definitely your business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

Ok but why wait until literally the last minute. Tomorrow is 10-31 and the deadline is Nov 1.

Because it doesn't matter. Other things take priority.

It matters to my kid and his chance of admission which is nil if she doesn't get it in.

As long as it meets the deadline, it doesn't matter when.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DW is a teacher and got 9 done yesterday (took a personal day under the weight of all the 50 she has). Only 4 left and they will indeed get done. BTW, for those kids and parents who were rude right as she was writing the rec letter, guess what the letter is going to say..... As others have said, letters of rec are a gift to your child. They are not a right. They will get done people. I hope all of you pay all bills weeks early and get projects done at work a month ahead of time. Because that is what you are asking the teachers to do.

Many of us do pay bills early and get projects done early to avoid any last minute rush/disaster/surprises. Surely, you understand that?

It’s so easy to judge from the outside, isn’t it?

I’m one of the several teachers posting on this thread. My department is taking turns using personal days so we can stay home and get letters done.

And, to add insult to injury, we have to cover each others’ classes since we have no subs.

So we are taking leave AND losing planning periods in order to write these letters, some of which we were just asked to do this week.

You’re right. I guess we could simply knock them out at home. It’s not like we have our own families or other obligations. And it’s not like we have other work (planning, grading) that we already use our evenings and weekends to do.

So simple to judge. Much harder to live the reality.

I would probably have a lot more sympathy if I met you in real life and you said it. But here you are wasting time on a message board while complaining that you have no time.

My point is that there are people who do things early. Many of the posts from teachers act like everyone works until the last minute.

Well, I’m entitled to my breaks. You may not like that, but I feel like the occasional break from my work actually helps me focus better when I am grading and writing letters. Is that okay with you? That I take occasional breaks when I am at home?

Those of us sitting with stacks of letters, some I was asked for this week, are getting criticized right now because we aren’t doing unpaid, elective work fast enough for you.

While you’re at it, why don’t you head to the thread about teachers not grading fast enough, too? Or the one demanding that teachers take shifts monitoring bathrooms during their “free” period at work? Because how we use our time is definitely your business.

Dear teacher. I appreciate everything you do, but being on this thread doesn't seem healthy for teachers. I hope you find a happier thread to follow, and thanks for grading and writing letters for your students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid asked teachers last spring as instructed but one hasn't submitted yet for a Nov 1 deadline. There's no excuse for this.

But it’s not late. Honestly if you have a personal deadline that doesn’t align with the actual deadline i would think that you would negotiate this with the teacher that is doing the recommendation. That way you’d have clear expectations for a letter before the deadline. If you didn’t then you have no reason to complain.

Ok but why wait until literally the last minute. Tomorrow is 10-31 and the deadline is Nov 1.

Because it doesn't matter. Other things take priority.

It matters to my kid and his chance of admission which is nil if she doesn't get it in.

As long as it meets the deadline, it doesn't matter when.

well that's the point, it's not clear she will meet the deadline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DW is a teacher and got 9 done yesterday (took a personal day under the weight of all the 50 she has). Only 4 left and they will indeed get done. BTW, for those kids and parents who were rude right as she was writing the rec letter, guess what the letter is going to say..... As others have said, letters of rec are a gift to your child. They are not a right. They will get done people. I hope all of you pay all bills weeks early and get projects done at work a month ahead of time. Because that is what you are asking the teachers to do.

Many of us do pay bills early and get projects done early to avoid any last minute rush/disaster/surprises. Surely, you understand that?

It’s so easy to judge from the outside, isn’t it?

I’m one of the several teachers posting on this thread. My department is taking turns using personal days so we can stay home and get letters done.

And, to add insult to injury, we have to cover each others’ classes since we have no subs.

So we are taking leave AND losing planning periods in order to write these letters, some of which we were just asked to do this week.

You’re right. I guess we could simply knock them out at home. It’s not like we have our own families or other obligations. And it’s not like we have other work (planning, grading) that we already use our evenings and weekends to do.

So simple to judge. Much harder to live the reality.

I would probably have a lot more sympathy if I met you in real life and you said it. But here you are wasting time on a message board while complaining that you have no time.

My point is that there are people who do things early. Many of the posts from teachers act like everyone works until the last minute.

Well, I’m entitled to my breaks. You may not like that, but I feel like the occasional break from my work actually helps me focus better when I am grading and writing letters. Is that okay with you? That I take occasional breaks when I am at home?

Those of us sitting with stacks of letters, some I was asked for this week, are getting criticized right now because we aren’t doing unpaid, elective work fast enough for you.

While you’re at it, why don’t you head to the thread about teachers not grading fast enough, too? Or the one demanding that teachers take shifts monitoring bathrooms during their “free” period at work? Because how we use our time is definitely your business.

Unpaid elective work? Writing letters of recommendation is literally part of a high school teacher's job. If you don't like that, do something else. If you can't get letters in on time, don't agree to write them.