Is teaching a “hobby” job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who was a SAHM for 20 yrs. Her husband made a really good living. She didn’t need to work but wanted some independence while staying married. She became a teacher but it is absolutely a hobby job because it’s a fraction of what the husband makes, she doesn’t need the job, she likes getting out of the house and working after 20 yrs, she uses the salary to shop and go to the spa in weekends.

Totally different question: do summers off make up for all the rest? I’ve always worked in the corporate world and would love to have the long vacations. My teacher friend says they’re still always working but I don’t see that.

I have friends who are teachers. I figured out that I worked 7 more years than they did - because they consistently got 3 months off a year. Some teachers work during the summer. A lot don't.

Yes, and you got paid for those additional months.

Many teachers work during the summer. I was at my school most of this week, working on a curriculum refresh and helping a new hire get acclimated. I was at work most of last week, redesigning an AI policy. Since I’m not paid over the summer, that’s free work I’m doing.

I also work most weekends over the school year and I have to pay for my own recertification classes that must be done on my own time.

Ask yourself this question: who is paid more adequately and appropriately for the work they perform? You or your teacher friends?

You should really not be working without compensation. It reinforces the district’s ability to continue to squeeze us for free labor and underpay. It will not be the end of the world if none of those things you did this summer get done or take longer to get done.

- Signed a teacher

That would be ideal, wouldn’t it? To get paid for summer work or to wait until the fall to get this all done (while being paid)? And I have asked about compensation, like a per diem. Some summers I’m lucky; others I’m not. There’s a huge shortage of money where I am, but not a shortage of work to get done.

Unfortunately, the time isn’t there during the fall. Once the students come, there’s no more time for curriculum development or policy revision. It must be done now, when we have breathing space to make good decisions.

And I do not think of myself as an hourly employee. I’m paid to get a job done, not to work a certain number of hours a week. And the job bleeds into weekends and summers. Yes, it’s a problem. But saying “I won’t work past hours” isn’t the solution; it makes teachers appear unprofessional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Absolutely not -- hobby jobs are ones that don't actually contribute that much to society (like... making jewelry or something).

Teaching is one of the most essential jobs in our society. It's just not well paid in the US because there is not capitalist payoff for good teaching (there is, but its too long term). It's well paid in some other countries.

…or consultants, which DC is overflowing with. Consultants love to yap. They usually have never done any meaningful work, but sure can talk.

Majority of teachers would gladly go to consulting if option was offered.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher and I make 6 figures, so while I'm not rich by dcum standards, I'd hardly call it a hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who was a SAHM for 20 yrs. Her husband made a really good living. She didn’t need to work but wanted some independence while staying married. She became a teacher but it is absolutely a hobby job because it’s a fraction of what the husband makes, she doesn’t need the job, she likes getting out of the house and working after 20 yrs, she uses the salary to shop and go to the spa in weekends.

Totally different question: do summers off make up for all the rest? I’ve always worked in the corporate world and would love to have the long vacations. My teacher friend says they’re still always working but I don’t see that.

I have friends who are teachers. I figured out that I worked 7 more years than they did - because they consistently got 3 months off a year. Some teachers work during the summer. A lot don't.

Yes, and you got paid for those additional months.

Many teachers work during the summer. I was at my school most of this week, working on a curriculum refresh and helping a new hire get acclimated. I was at work most of last week, redesigning an AI policy. Since I’m not paid over the summer, that’s free work I’m doing.

I also work most weekends over the school year and I have to pay for my own recertification classes that must be done on my own time.

Ask yourself this question: who is paid more adequately and appropriately for the work they perform? You or your teacher friends?

You should really not be working without compensation. It reinforces the district’s ability to continue to squeeze us for free labor and underpay. It will not be the end of the world if none of those things you did this summer get done or take longer to get done.

- Signed a teacher

That would be ideal, wouldn’t it? To get paid for summer work or to wait until the fall to get this all done (while being paid)? And I have asked about compensation, like a per diem. Some summers I’m lucky; others I’m not. There’s a huge shortage of money where I am, but not a shortage of work to get done.

Unfortunately, the time isn’t there during the fall. Once the students come, there’s no more time for curriculum development or policy revision. It must be done now, when we have breathing space to make good decisions.

And I do not think of myself as an hourly employee. I’m paid to get a job done, not to work a certain number of hours a week. And the job bleeds into weekends and summers. Yes, it’s a problem. But saying “I won’t work past hours” isn’t the solution; it makes teachers appear unprofessional.

Yeah. I am on a 195 day contract. Not working additional days without pay. That’s exploitation.

You really need to let go of the martyr syndrome, you will be much happier and have more time!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

You say it isn’t a difficult job? You just need a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested?

You realize that IS difficult, correct?

Plenty of people can’t control their own children, let alone a classroom of 30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

You say it isn’t a difficult job? You just need a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested?

You realize that IS difficult, correct?

Plenty of people can’t control their own children, let alone a classroom of 30.

Of course. (Former elementary teacher here who wrote that post.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

What? Have you seen people in a classroom who have no training? It isn't pretty. Most of them quit because they aren't prepared. I had to cover for a teacher in the room next door to me because she'd go to the bathroom to cry a handful of times every day. It's a lot. She quit in January of her first year. Her two friends in her cohort didn't return to teaching after their first year. Student teaching is an absolute must IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

You say it isn’t a difficult job? You just need a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested?

You realize that IS difficult, correct?

Plenty of people can’t control their own children, let alone a classroom of 30.

A little reading comprehension goes a long way. So does not being overly reactive to critiques or observations about the profession. Calm down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

What? Have you seen people in a classroom who have no training? It isn't pretty. Most of them quit because they aren't prepared. I had to cover for a teacher in the room next door to me because she'd go to the bathroom to cry a handful of times every day. It's a lot. She quit in January of her first year. Her two friends in her cohort didn't return to teaching after their first year. Student teaching is an absolute must IMO.

That's the only useful part. Only lasts 2 semesters, 2-3 days a week 1st semester, 4 days a week 2nd semester. Should be 2+ years of the B.A./B.S. degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

What? Have you seen people in a classroom who have no training? It isn't pretty. Most of them quit because they aren't prepared. I had to cover for a teacher in the room next door to me because she'd go to the bathroom to cry a handful of times every day. It's a lot. She quit in January of her first year. Her two friends in her cohort didn't return to teaching after their first year. Student teaching is an absolute must IMO.

That's the only useful part. Only lasts 2 semesters, 2-3 days a week 1st semester, 4 days a week 2nd semester. Should be 2+ years of the B.A./B.S. degree.

I agree. Also, more than one course on classroom management and discipline is needed as is more than one class on the science of reading (for all teachers). I student taught for an entire school in my Master's program and I still didn't feel ready to take over my own classroom. Sending a person into a classroom with zero preparation is a huge mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

What? Have you seen people in a classroom who have no training? It isn't pretty. Most of them quit because they aren't prepared. I had to cover for a teacher in the room next door to me because she'd go to the bathroom to cry a handful of times every day. It's a lot. She quit in January of her first year. Her two friends in her cohort didn't return to teaching after their first year. Student teaching is an absolute must IMO.

I transitioned to teaching after spending years in an office environment. I agree with you.

I wasn’t REMOTELY prepared for what hit me. I started with 9 other career changers. I was the only one left at the end of the 3rd year. I’m still teaching, but it took me a long time to get comfortable in the classroom.

I cried at the beginning, too. A lot. I had no idea how emotionally and mentally exhausting teaching would be, and the work never ended.

I wish I went through an education program. I would have been more prepared.

[Anonymous]

The answer is no. What is wrong with you??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all know teachers don’t make much, so between the low pay and summers off, is that enough to constitute a “hobby” job?

Considering it's fulltime job, other than the two months in summer, that would be more than a hobby.

It's a demanding job for sure, but not particularly difficult to be a teacher, just have to have a knack for controlling kids and getting them interested in learning.

That cannot be taught, it's either innate or learned by experience.

College does nothing to prepare people to become teachers, and it is just a huge waste of time and money. So go the "emergency certification" route if you want to try teaching.

What? Have you seen people in a classroom who have no training? It isn't pretty. Most of them quit because they aren't prepared. I had to cover for a teacher in the room next door to me because she'd go to the bathroom to cry a handful of times every day. It's a lot. She quit in January of her first year. Her two friends in her cohort didn't return to teaching after their first year. Student teaching is an absolute must IMO.

That's the only useful part. Only lasts 2 semesters, 2-3 days a week 1st semester, 4 days a week 2nd semester. Should be 2+ years of the B.A./B.S. degree.

I agree. Also, more than one course on classroom management and discipline is needed as is more than one class on the science of reading (for all teachers). I student taught for an entire school in my Master's program and I still didn't feel ready to take over my own classroom. Sending a person into a classroom with zero preparation is a huge mistake.

+1. School districts shouldn't be waiving tests required for licensure either. If you can't pass the Praxis or the VCLA you shouldn't get a teaching license. I can't believe this is allowed in some districts but it is.