No prep peroids

[schultzoh]

Hello everyone! I am new to this board but I wanted to ask a question. Does anyone else not get prep peroids? I know most teachers get at least a few a week but I do not get any. I try and get some work done during inside recess and such but it seems that there is always something going on and I can't get things done(plus I feel I should be focusing on the kids). I am not able to get a lot done after school eitheir because I have a staff meeting once a week and I will be doing tutoring 3 times a week. By the time 4 rolls around I am exhausted from not having a break (I get maybe a 20 min. lunch). I am in no way complaining and I have been doing it since the start of the year, I was just wondering if anyone had an advice on how to make my lif easier so when I am at home I can relax. Does anyone have an advice (and there is no way I can arrange one during the week eitheir, we are very short staffed) or has anyone been in the same boat? Thanks!

[Karenrbw]

NC passed a law about 10 years ago that gurantees teacher a planning period. It also states that they cannot be forced to give up planning time to watch another class, go to meetings, etc.

[upnorthteacher]

You should talk to your union rep to see what your contract says about prep periods. It is usually a negotiated item, with a certain amount required. Even if it's not in the contract, but other teachers have prep periods and you don't, it would be unfair and inequitable treatment. Teachers need prep time to do our jobs! I hope you can get some relief. Going without preps would make me crazy.

[wig]

Are you in a non-public school?

[schultzoh]

yep I am at a charter school so we don't have a union. Trust me I am pretty stressed out and I never feel like I have enough time to get everything done.

[wig]

I have taught in a parochial school for over 35 years, and until recently I never had one either. Believe it or not, I'll bet I taught over 15 years before I realized that most, if not all, public school teachers got some planning periods.

I guess because it never occurred to me that planning periods were the norm, it never bothered me. Of course now that I have them, I sure would never want to give them up. I have one day without one and believe me, I am TIRED at the end of the day.

My habit has always been to go home, and take a nice relaxing bubble bath soak before dinner. It is amazing how de-stressing it can be.

Is tutoring an extra job for you or a volunteer. If you can get rid of that, I think it would help.

[Boxcar]

I can plan during Nap if everything else is clean and prepared for the afternoon...

[schultzoh]

I wish I had a nap time, but we take a "body" rest time. I just get so stressed because I always feel like I am behind and can't seem to catch up with everything.

[Boxcar]

I wish my students appreciated the down time! Getting everyone to sleep can take up to an hour and a half on some days. I do like to have that time of quiet though.

[Elektrikhd]

Prep periods are at least the standard in public schools, and have been since I started school in 1989. About 20 years later, in another state, we have a guaranteed ratio of prep periods to classes and a "duty-free" lunch. But, I know that may not always apply to charter, private, and religious schools. Still, you CAN unionize. In NJ, the local Unions have supported teachers in charter schools when they've wanted to unionize.

I would've thought prep periods were more standard, though; to the teachers who don't respect my content, I'm always at least their "prep." Music, gym, art, etc--the homeroom classes come to us, and their teacher gets a break while we teach our "specialty areas."

[auntbea]

I taught one year parochial school. The only plan time I got was the 25 minutes they went to specials 4 days a week. Chapel day, no break. I even got to eat with them and take them to recess. Every day. Difficult 1st year.

Now I am older and more experienced. Public school now, but I have duties during my prep time. The two others who also have an extra during prep time and I received a stipend for it. Not enough in my opinion, but I am thankful for my job, and remember, small school, many hats.

I guess I am saying that sometimes things are just what they are. We have to look down the road. Is this somewhere you are wanting to stay for several years? This could be a bargining chip for later. Okay, last I did this last year, so this year..... shows you as a team player and willing to work for the greater good.

[teacher5]

:)If you have a job be grateful. Suggestion: See if you and another colleague can double up anc cover for each other without breaking any supervision policies. At some point the teachers in charter schools will unionize, too! You probably have to tutor to make extra money. Where possible get the kids to mark their own papers. You can't mark every assignment under these conditions. Or, have them trade papers and then mark them by orally calling out the correct responses. You need to find other ways to cut corners, or you will go crazy. If you are married, you must make time to spend with your wife or significant other. This is so important. You will feel better when you come to school, too. Try proposing to those in charge about getting and using a full time substitute teacher who is on staff. This person could cover and give some of you relief time if no one else was absent on a particular day. The staff in your school has got to get creative and work through channels or you will all burn out and be worthless to the kids, too. Good luck.

[schultzoh]

Trust me I am more then greatful for my job. I am also very happy where I am at. I just feel overwhelmed with all of the work I have to do sometimes. I am getting an assistant soon so that just made my life a bit easier. Thanks for all of the advice.

[wig]

Another teacher and I trade lunch and recess duty. That gives us a little more extra time.

I agree with grading papers in class but I strongly discourage trading papers. It really is no one else's business how many items were wrong on a page. That is between the teacher, the student, and the parents. I have my students clear off their desks and give them a colored pen to grade their own. I also encourage them to write in the correct answer if it is wrong with the colored pen. Collect them and record the grades. You will be surprised how much time it saves. I also give the kids alpha numbers. Much easier to put in order.

[Boxcar]

I'd occasionally do spot checks of the papers so the kids don't think they can just mark right what is wrong. Letting them know you may be reviewing what they do will keep them on thier toes.