To moms who are teachers- does working (day to day hours) fit well with your kids schedule (at K+)?

[Anonymous]

How about being a lunch lady? You would be home when your kids are home, no matter what.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think teachers nowadays do a lot of volunteer staying after school to help kids who are behind. If kids stay after school for extra help, it is in some kind of a program; often paid for by the school.

Not at my school. If you have a student who is struggling it is up to you to stay with that child to help them. We also have some time built into the day for that, too, but it is hard to reach every child. This is at a high school in Fairfax Co. The main problem we have is that many of our neediest students can't stay after school because they have to go home to take care of siblings, work, etc.

[Anonymous]

Lunch lady is a good idea. The men/women at my school do work a truly 9-2 schedule. I am not sure what the compensation is but I imagine atleast 12$-15$ an hr. I know that does not solve this woman's problem (the one with the masters) but is a good suggestion to other moms out there who want to earn some extra pocket money.

[Anonymous]

And second the PP principals comment -- you arent going to change the system on a 9-2 schedule... what do you think half of the teachers/administrators out there are trying to do on a full time/full year schedule?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about becoming a instructional aid? The paid might not be as good but you could get benefits and go home when the students do.

I tried this and was unhappy because my professional input was often unwelcome. It met my immediate need -- I needed a school hours-only source of income to reduce friction at home-- but was not interesting work.

[Anonymous]

DH is a grade school teacher. We have two grade school aged children that attend the same school. We have before and after school care because of the frequency of meetings and the need to be at the school to grade papers, have conferences, etc. He doesn't work long grueling hours though and he's usually home with the kids by around 4:30 or 5p. I, on the other hand, don't get home until 6p. He's able to make dinner and help the kids with homework. He does have to do work at home sometimes - especially around report card time or when grading special projects - but there are two of us at home to take care of the kids - so it's not a big deal. Personally, I envy his shorter hours, shorter commute, ability to drop off and pick up the kids every day, be involved in the school, know the staff, be there immediately when the kids are in the nurses office, have spring/summer/winter breaks with the kids, get snow days with them, etc. My husband readily admits how good he has it as far as his schedule goes. We take turns being home with the kids when they are sick. I think it's a great profession for parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is a grade school teacher. We have two grade school aged children that attend the same school. We have before and after school care because of the frequency of meetings and the need to be at the school to grade papers, have conferences, etc. He doesn't work long grueling hours though and he's usually home with the kids by around 4:30 or 5p. I, on the other hand, don't get home until 6p. He's able to make dinner and help the kids with homework. He does have to do work at home sometimes - especially around report card time or when grading special projects - but there are two of us at home to take care of the kids - so it's not a big deal. Personally, I envy his shorter hours, shorter commute, ability to drop off and pick up the kids every day, be involved in the school, know the staff, be there immediately when the kids are in the nurses office, have spring/summer/winter breaks with the kids, get snow days with them, etc. My husband readily admits how good he has it as far as his schedule goes. We take turns being home with the kids when they are sick. I think it's a great profession for parents.

It sounds, though, like you are reasonably available to help him... at least when the kids are sick and in the evenings. Mothers who are teachers can't necessarily expect the same level of involvement from their husbands, who may have especially family unfriendly career expectations. Because you're the mom, you'll assume as much of the burden as you need to, no matter how busy you may be. Husbands with demanding careers are not available (or motivated) to make such accommodations. It's archaic but true for many of us, which forces tough choices when the time left over after students' needs are met isn't sufficient to meet all of our own children's needs and husbands are engaged elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Same poster adding that maybe, then, it's a great profession for dads if moms are prepared to be the primary breadwinners.