what do you think of my schedule?

fitmom82 · February 2014

I'm a teacher, and with my experience, I manage my time very well. I'm out the door with 2 kids at 6:30, at work at 7, leave by 2:30. I pick the kids up between 3 and 4 depending on if I need to go to the gym or run some errands. Three times a month I do need to stay till closer till 4 when we have meetings. I have about 3 4 day weekends, a week-week and a half off at Christmas, a week in the spring, and about 8 weeks in the summer. I'm not going to try and tell you I spend all my off time doing school work because I don't. I am curious if you think this is a great schedule like so many people say. I make about $60,000-$65,000 a year, depending on how often I cover a class. I'm at a place on the salary scale that I'll be getting some decent raises the next few years and within 10-15 years I'll be making more like $95,000

I'm very interested in trying another career, although between the pay cut I'd have to take and change in schedule I don't know if it's worth it. I really dislike that my vacations are all predetermined and at the hight of the season. I also get about 10 weeks of vacation, isn't that pretty common after you've been with a company for a while? We're going away in April and if we go away the following week it's $600/person cheaper. I also don't have the option of taking a few personal days to extend a long weekend, we're docked pay if we don't have a dr. note. I do like being with my kids by 3 and think I get a great work/family balance that way, but am I missing out on breakfasts together? It's still 8 hours if it's 7-3 or 9-5. However in the warmer weather it's light out later anyway, so we might still be able to get to a park or something when I pick them up.

Everyone says what a great deal teachers have. WDYT? Is this a good deal?

djm31012 · February 2014

Your schedule is amazing . I do make a lot more money than that but it comes at the cost of 60 hr work weeks and over 2 hrs in commuting each day. Just the career path I chose and I will likely stop working in another year or 2. I don't know of any company that gets 10 wks vacation. I've been with my company for 9 years and I get 5 weeks and 4 personal days . I think the grass is always greener. I have a teacher friend who wants to quit and do something else. But when you see the schedule change you may think differently .

ccam · February 2014

I would kill for your schedule, too. Yes, I do make more, but now that I have DS, I would take that pay cut in a second. I've been at my current job for close to 8 years and get 3 weeks of vacation a year, on top of sick and personal time. I've never heard of 10 weeks of vacation.

fitmom82 · February 2014

Thanks, that's a huge part of what I like about teaching, but so many teachers complain I thought maybe I'm wrong. The thing that stinks too is although many of you make more than me now, I'm sure if I switched careers since I wouldn't have much experience (7 years teaching) I'd be taking a huge pay cut. I figure most careers around here start between $40,000 and $50,000, so I'd be lucky if I started around $50,000

shannm · February 2014

10 weeks vacation is common?!?!!!!
I have worked with people who have been at their very big well rated company in terms of benefits for nearly 20 years and they were still at 3-4 weeks/ year.
Unless you are in Europe?!?!

You have a very nice schedule and if you go up to 90k without taking on more responsibility.....you are going to have a really hard time finding that in another career.

thedash · February 2014

Yes that's a great schedule when you have little kids. You also get school holidays off (not teacher workdays obviously) and any weather related delays or closings. That alone saves tons of headaches in a two working parent household. I don't know what we will do when both of ours are in school because often the school is closed but government and courts are open.

My MIL works for an international organization and gets more PTO than anyone I know but it's still less than 10 weeks. Most companies max out around 5 or 6 weeks per year and that would take 10-15 years to get.

Your salary isn't bad at all. And keep in mind any lost earnings plus expenses of going back to school to change fields. I think you would be taking a pay cut and possibly adding debt for a much worse schedule. If you hate your work it may be worth it but if teaching still works for you I would stay put.

shannm · February 2014

Also, I don't think "many" here make more than you. I think you are doing well for many. Those who do make more probably have had a ton of specialty education (jd, md, phd, mba) are you ready to take that on? Cause foldi g that into your schedule will really suck and no matter what your teacher friends claim, they do not work those hours.

IdigDirt · February 2014

Lurker, I would kill for that schedule and that pay.

shakinros · February 2014

Haha! Um, yes, you're doing well with that schedule and pay. I've been working in my field for 10yrs and I just last year hit $50K. I like it though because the work is interesting and it's flexible. A field that pays significantly more doesn't usually come with a lot of flexibility. At least not for the first 5+ years.

I don't know anyone who gets or could get in the future 10wks of vacation. My dad worked for the same company his whole career, white collar job, and I'd guess he got 4-6wks of vacation at the end, plus paid holidays.

jbatch · February 2014

Yea. I would say that is a good schedule and pay.. I would love to make what you make now let alone what you will make in the near future.. I'm nowhere near it..

mlee116 · February 2014

DH is a teacher and has a very similar schedule, except that he works 7:40-3:15 and makes a lot less per year (but we live in very LCOL area). And it is the bomb. I love that DS is only at daycare for 7-8 hours a day instead of 10 hours, which is what would happen if DH worked my hours. DH is able to pick DS up, get dinner started, etc so that when I get home at 5:30, things aren't nearly as hectic. I also love that DH has breaks so that he can spend time with DS and can do dr's appts and stuff then. It really makes my life a lot easier!

I tell DH all.the.time. that I should've been a teacher just to have that schedule. I wouldn't mind making what you make either

mlee116 · February 2014

*Sorry about the weird formatting above

MommaP12 · February 2014

I would kill for that schedule and would take a pay cut for it.

I make substantially more, but I 'pay' for it in many ways. I will never have 10 weeks of PTO, even if I work with my current employer til I die. I work 8:30-5 plus business travel and put up with so much corporate america crap and am so tired of the rat race.

I know every job has it's things - like maybe you deal with difficult parents, your vacations are pre-set, etc. but I would take that over what I put up with for my hours and salary. I think you are very lucky with your schedule/salary.

kmh2201 · February 2014

I almost thought this was a joke too... I'd love to have a teacher's schedule too, especially if I was a teacher in the same school district as my own kids. While my kids aren't in school yet, DS starts kindergarten next fall, so DH and I are already trying to figure out who will watch him during school breaks, on snow days, etc. As a teacher you don't have to worry about that nearly as much. Yes, you have conferences and inservices here and there throughout the year, but for the most part, you aren't working when your kids are on break. That's pretty freaking awesome IMO.

Keep in mind that most places will start you out at 2 weeks of vacation plus holidays. You might get up to 4 weeks after 10 years or so.

If you're really serious about a different career, list out the pros and cons. You can already put on the "cons" side "more work for less money and vacation time."

Good luck with your decision!

Myaflowers · February 2014

I also would kill for your schedule and pay. I have a post master's degree, am licensed/certified in my field, and have been working in my field for 13 years. I make less than you and only get 4 weeks of vacation. My current employer, where I've been for 5 years, is closed for very few holidays. For example, we are open on Christmas Eve. Also, I have to use vacation time (not sick) if my kid is sick.

ETA: I work 8 to 5, Monday through Friday and often don't get a real lunch break because we have meetings.

ETA: We also max out at 5 weeks vacation after we have been here for 10 years.

teach1008 · February 2014

I'm a teacher too (not full time right now, but will be again one day). While I didn't go into teaching for the schedule and have spent many summers working on my masters or teaching summer school, I fully appreciate it now! I can't see trading it for a job where I would only get 2-3 weeks off. The increase in pay would only be because I'm working more hours. My husband on the other hand wants me to quit and get a job where I can 'move up' and make more $. I keep telling him that he will be thankful come summers when they are in school and we don't need aftercare as much or summer care. I say as long as you're happy teaching then keep with it, but if you're not than no amount of time off each summer will make you happy during the school year. Also, even if it's only 7-3 you still take the stress and workload with you at home.

litzo27 · February 2014

Those are great hours!!! And I don't know anyone who is in corporate world who has 10 weeks off. My mom has been with the same firm for 15 years and she has 4 weeks which is more than anyone else I know. And I don't know how one could break into the six figures without a higher degree or 10+ years of non-junior experience.
I would stay unless you absolutely hate teaching.
And skipping breakfast together?? Is that even a real concern? Just do extra special weekend breakfasts. Weekday breakfast are a blur of "I don't care what you want just eat the damn cereal so we are not late to school". The afternoons is what matters, especially as kids get older and have more activities.

glaw · February 2014

I feel like you're rubbing your schedule in the rest of our faces a little bit. Like those super skinny b*tches who ask if their outfit makes them fat when they look like a supermodel. You know most jobs are 9-5 and people don't get summers off willy nilly so no most of us don't have 10 weeks paid vacation. And if your kids are in school when else could you take a trip other than when they are off school which you are as well? So I don't understand the complaint about taking time off outside of the standard school breaks.

Anyway if you hate it so much you should quit. I would hate it if my kids teacher wasn't engaged and was only there bc of 10 weeks vacation, etc...good luck with whatever you do.

groovygrl · February 2014

Lol at ten weeks of vacation being common....hahahha.... Are you being serious OP? Yes you have a good schedule and it sounds like you work in a decent paying school district. I make a little more than you with a masters and 15 years experience, can't be promoted without getting a doctorate, drive about one hour each way, have to drop my kids up and pick them up, work year round and get 22 days vacation plus sick time and I think that is pretty good compared to a lot of ppl where I work, and I am pretty sure for clerical or lower level staff positions, four weeks vacation is the max anyone ever gets at my employer.

iverske9 · February 2014

10 weeks vacation is only normal if you have been with a company for like 20 years, so your schedule is great. The fact is you are making 65K in 10 months not 12 so it is a pretty great gig.

rboisvert · February 2014

I'm a teacher, with a Masters and 7 years experience. I work 7:30-4 (but usually closer to 5:30 once I deal with meetings etc) I am contractually required to work summer school and make under 40K in a MCOL. Can we trade jobs? If you don't love teaching get out but otherwise I really don't think you're going to find a better deal anywhere.

Maybride2 · February 2014

If you truly aren't happy teaching anymore, by all means find a new career. Teaching is too important of a profession to have people in it that aren't engaged and love what they do. But you're going to be in for a really harsh reality check when you go searching for another job that will pay you anywhere near $60k for a 7am - 2:30pm M-F job, especially right off the bat with no seniority. And if you think that 10 weeks vacation is anywhere near standard, you must be living under a rock.

fitmom82 · February 2014

Thank you for the comments. I am in no way trying to rub anything in anyone's face. If I wasn't a teacher I would pull my child out of school for a week so we're not going away when prices are at their highest. Several of my students have done that and I don't blame them at all. Most people in my family are teachers or work in schools, so I have very little to compare my schedule to. BIL works in banking and seems to take off all the time, so I assume he gets a ton of vacation.

I can't say that I love my job, and it's been a very long time since I've met a passionate, optimistic, enthusiastic teacher. I understand I may get flamed for this because teachers are supposed to be these super passionate people who love children and teaching with ever bit of their soul, but that doesn't seem to the be the reality. Why should it though? How many of you are really that passionate about your careers? I would really love to try another career where I get to spend more time with adults and my worth is not determined by what a 12 year old is willing to do, but there are things I enjoy about teaching, including the schedule, that I fear if I give that up I will despise the new career and because teaching is so hard to get into, I may never be able to get back what I gave up.

I was just looking to hear what the reality of other professions are and I appreciate being able to see that I do have things pretty good where I am.

Maybride2 · February 2014

I'm actually quite passionate about my career. But if you're not (and I won't blame you, I think that teaching would be a seriously hard job), please do the world a favor and find a new career. You're right, there aren't enough passionate teachers.......the ones who are burned out need to get out and make room for the ones that want to teach.

Myaflowers · February 2014

I'm passionate about my career, too. That's why I'm willing to stay in my field despite having little flexibility, limited time off, and a salary lower than many other fields. It's important to like what you do, in my opinion, especially when working with children, which I also do (I'm a child/adolescent therapist).

bcnoelle · February 2014

I think that your schedule is great and that you have a good deal. It's easy to get burned out in any career/job. Having a good teaching position seems harder to acquire in certain areas of the country and you seem to be on the path to a stable career and future retirement. Believe me, the grass is always greener! I'm not sure what other jobs you are considering, but you have to consider job security and other factors. I also assume you get good health benefits. My job is higher paying with much higher risks...lincluding loans. I have my own business and maternity leave/vacations are laughable. The perks of my schedule is that I can try to arrange around important events for my kids. My biggest burnout is dealing with employees and unappreciative clients. I am a constant manager and cheerleader, I'd also love to go to Hawaii or Europe for a 10 day trip one day, but this just isn't possible...my maternity leave was 3 weeks and that involved trips to the office, phone calls, and checking emails.

laurakaz13 · February 2014

I earn a six figure salary and have 30 days off per year, but I do think your schedule sounds amazing. I also think it is crazy to assume 10 weeks of leave is normal. Seriously?

daisy662 · February 2014

OP, this is an unheard of schedule. You make good money for what is quite frankly a part time job. I haven't read the pp's but I hope you realize from responses that you have it really good. I am so sick and tired of teachers complaining about being underpaid and overworked when this is their pay and schedule.

Iblamethebeer · February 2014

Just one more thought to add: in addition to your salary, I would add a kicker to account for the childcare you won't need when your kids are school aged.

I realize that teachers have some time on either end of summer break when they need to work even though their kids are out, and there are some times like professional development and conference days when they need to work even though students aren't in school.

But by and large, being a teacher means being out whenever kids are out -- winter break, spring break, summer, snow days, silly holidays like columbus day and election day. PLUS not needing hours of aftercare on a daily basis. Do you know how expensive it is to have care in place all of those times?!

mexicolombiana · February 2014

I hate to say it but it really sounds like you're bragging. You have to know that 10 weeks isn't common vacation for most jobs.

mexicolombiana · February 2014

glaw said:

I feel like you're rubbing your schedule in the rest of our faces a little bit. Like those super skinny b*tches who ask if their outfit makes them fat when they look like a supermodel. You know most jobs are 9-5 and people don't get summers off willy nilly so no most of us don't have 10 weeks paid vacation. And if your kids are in school when else could you take a trip other than when they are off school which you are as well? So I don't understand the complaint about taking time off outside of the standard school breaks. Anyway if you hate it so much you should quit. I would hate it if my kids teacher wasn't engaged and was only there bc of 10 weeks vacation, etc...good luck with whatever you do.

Yeah she's totally bragging.

daisy662 · February 2014

amy052006 said:

Well, I'll say that if the only reason you are in teaching is the hours, get out. It's not fair to any kid you teach.

That being said, I can't imagine what type of asshole thinks teaching is a part time job.

Well, I guess I'm an asshole then LOL OP indicated that she works from 6-2 and has 10 weeks vaca plus all the holidays that most people don't get plus sick days, etc. If you add up the hours she works throughout the year, ya, that is definitely the equivalent to a PT job.

emberlee3 · February 2014

cjcouple said:

Is this a joke? 7-2:30 most days and making upwards of 60K?

No, it is not normal to get 10 weeks vacation anywhere. The most I have ever seen with HIGH level executive with a company for 20 years is 5 weeks a year. Most places start you at 2 and the average I'd say is 3 weeks.

As far as your vacations being predetermined, that will happen when your kid(s) are school aged anyway. I would stay

This, exactly. DS is starting kindergarten next year, and I realize now that we will never choose our vacation time again.

I make more money than you do, but I work much longer hours, many evenings/weekends/holidays, and I have a mortgage-sized student loan payment each month. What it boils down to is being happy with what you spend your time doing. If you're not happy teaching, then maybe it's time for a change.

dizzycooks · February 2014

I see this post ending badly, but I'll toss my two cents in.
Teaching is not a part time job, at least no teaching job I've had is. A solid 8 hours with 20 minute lunch is more than some corporate jobs I've seen (although it's rare, it is out there).
Your post sounds braggy to me too. I'm a teacher and I'd like your hours and pay. 9 years in, plus a masters and I'm making slightly more than half you make and I live in one of the highest taxed states in the US in a m/hcol city.
As for my pension I'd like to have some choice about how and where I invest that mandatory 8% they take each week.
Long term it will be a much better schedule in regards to child care, but only if you actually sort of like what you do. Unfortunately,a s adults sometimes we have to do what we do because it makes sense and we do what we have to do (leave our kids at daycare to make a few bucks in the short term) instead of what we want (sample a new career).

rubber_chicken · February 2014

You make more than me and have 3x the time off and a shorter day.

Grass is always greener...

Meeshe · February 2014

Just wanted to add that yes you can save money by traveling when everyone is is working, but I realized that you still have to cover the time the kids are off school so it offsets really. Ie, you can pay less by traveling say the first week of March before spring break, but then your kid still has spring break so you are paying for camp or whatever to cover it. In pure terms of accommodating your kids' school schedules, being a teacher at their school/in their district would be amazing. Closed on the same snow days, same holidays, etc.

10weeks of vacation is unheard of, as everyone has said. I work at a university so that's supposed to be pretty family friendly, at full-time we get 22 days of vacation plus I think either 6-8 holidays. Most people will never get closer to that, much less your 10 weeks.

skibunny59 · February 2014

I am a teacher and I thank god every day that I chose this profession. I've been teaching for 8 years and yes while sometimes I feel tired and like I want to try something new my schedule, weeks off during holidays, and summers off are priceless. There is no way I'm leaving teaching anytime soon unless I can find another job that has similar hours and similar time off.

I'm not sure how old your kids are and if they're in school yet but just think when that time comes you won't have to worry about aftercare like other mothers who don't even leave work until 5. You won't have to worry about what to do with your kids when there is a snow day or delayed opening because chances are, you'll have a snow day too. You won't have to worry about what to do with your kids during the summer months.

Also, I don't know anyone who has 10 weeks off vacation a year.

skibunny59 · February 2014

glaw said:

I feel like you're rubbing your schedule in the rest of our faces a little bit. Like those super skinny b*tches who ask if their outfit makes them fat when they look like a supermodel. You know most jobs are 9-5 and people don't get summers off willy nilly so no most of us don't have 10 weeks paid vacation. And if your kids are in school when else could you take a trip other than when they are off school which you are as well? So I don't understand the complaint about taking time off outside of the standard school breaks. Anyway if you hate it so much you should quit. I would hate it if my kids teacher wasn't engaged and was only there bc of 10 weeks vacation, etc...good luck with whatever you do.

This too! A lot of people have to work all year round and don't get a week off for christmas, a week off for easter, etc. I wouldn't complain to anyone on here. That's really not fair.

aji820 · February 2014

I'd say your post shows a lack of situational awareness.

Your schedule and pay are awesome.

rodiesmum · February 2014

i think it is a great deal/schedule. Id love to have that kind of sched

fitmom82 · February 2014

mexicolombiana said:

glaw said:

I feel like you're rubbing your schedule in the rest of our faces a little bit. Like those super skinny b*tches who ask if their outfit makes them fat when they look like a supermodel. You know most jobs are 9-5 and people don't get summers off willy nilly so no most of us don't have 10 weeks paid vacation. And if your kids are in school when else could you take a trip other than when they are off school which you are as well? So I don't understand the complaint about taking time off outside of the standard school breaks. Anyway if you hate it so much you should quit. I would hate it if my kids teacher wasn't engaged and was only there bc of 10 weeks vacation, etc...good luck with whatever you do.

Yeah she's totally bragging.

I'll admit I'm completely niave about what a corporate schedule looks like, but why would I create a post to brag about a schedule? The only person I know who doesn't work in a school is my BIL. He works as a loan officer and is able to bring his son to school, seems to leave early frequently, takes off very frequently, takes random days and vacations all the time, so it's seemed to me that a schedule outside of teaching can be quite appealing as well. Looks like he may be in the minority. But again, I don't get why I would waste my time bragging about this.

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