Free Time, Etc. Questions!

Okay, here's my dilemma. I have the proper credentials that should qualify me to be a teacher. I am not sure, however that the teaching profession is one I want to pursue.

For one thing, I am concerned that teaching will not leave me enough free time to work my horses. However, without a job I can't have horses anyhow. So how much free time does a teacher have? When do you get to go home?

My mother is concerned that I will not ever go to work--I am currently 40+ and have not much ambition. I like riding, but that is not a very monetarily lucrative position.

In order to teach, I will have to get my certification renewed which is gonna cost over 100 bucks. But, if I can't get a job teaching there's no point in spending the money.

I sure don't want to end up homeless, but I really don't know exactly what to do!

I do not interview very well. Is there any way to find out the correct answers to the questions they ask?

 

This is a real question, by the way. I do understand that most folks don't face this sort of quandary. I have not been able to find out what time teachers get to go home any other way!

The problem is I am not going to really be enjoying anywhere that I work. My best chance is to "fake it". Since I do have teacher certification, I thought this would be the easiest way to go. At least I would have a job that my folks approve of.

 

I would not suggest teaching as a job where you would go to "fake it" and make your parents happy. It's a demanding profession that requires a full commitment to your students. You must be willing to do whatever it takes to reach them and teach them. You would be doing yourself and your students a huge disservice if you just aren't interested. If it's simply as issue of getting a job to pay the bills, there are many other options out there.

 

Not as many options as you might think. So what time do you get to go home?

I was really mislead. My dad told me that since I didn't like to work I should be a schoolteacher! A job is a job to me. You go, you get paid. Then you get to do what you want.

While I teach, I believe that my responsibility is to teach and to do what it takes. However, when it's time to go home that's what I want to do.

There's WORK then there's HOME. But I only want a 40 hour week.

 

Except for days like today when I'm home sick, I'm at school for close to 10 hours every day and work at least 15 hours a week at home. That may or may not be typical, but it's what I need to do to get everything done. I'm not a teacher who can 'turn it off' when I walk out of the building; I am always on the lookout for new or different ideas or resources and wondering how I can do things differently or better to meet the diverse needs of my students. I know lots of people who work 40 hours a week and whose day is done when they walk out the door--none of them are teachers.

 

Teaching is not for you my friend. There is a LOT of outside "work" work that is expected of you. All grading aside, you have meetings, parent nights, extracurriculars, etc etc etc. It's definitely something you have to love doing and be passionate about, or it will just burn you out and you'll be miserable. If you're miserable, you won't be teaching well and you'll probably get fired anyway.

To answer your question, I work 10 hour days. Get home anywhere between 5 and 7pm, sometimes later if there's an event at the school.

Why don't you find a job job for the time being, until you can figure out a career you might actually like to pursue.

 

I smell a troll. Anyone else?
What time can I go home?
Seriously.

 

I am NOT a TROLL! I am a person who is sincerely and seriously looking for some information. I don't think it's a weird or strange question to ask.

You don't need to be insulting!


I wish that I hadn't gone back to school to get the teaching certification. But, I did. I thought it might be easier than it apparently is.


I expect to be miserable wherever I work. That's just the way work is. My dad says I don't have to like it, I just have to "work somewhere that isn't riding around on a horse"


I appreciate the replies that said how long you have to stay at school.

I have been doing some substitute teaching, but I get to leave when the bell rings.

 

The last school bell rings at 3:35 here. We are able to leave at 3:45. Most days I'm out by 4. I have a planning period last period so I get a lot done during that time.

If you aren't passionate about teaching, don't get into the profession. It takes dedication and lots of hardwork.

Seriously? It sounds like you just don't want to work, and if you do, you just want your 40 hours and your out. If that's the case, then just get a job working retail or some other hourly position. Teaching isn't going to be your thing. Sorry.

 

If you're worried about hours worked, then please don't be a teacher. Teaching is a job you have to have a passion for. If you don't, it's not fair to the kids.

If you're looking for a 40 hour per week job just to make money, look elsewhere.

 

I work more than 40 hours a week. I leave my house before 7 am and leave work between 4 and 6, sometimes later and sometimes there are evening events. It probably isn't the answer you hoped for. Good luck finding the right solution for you.

 

Here is an idea. Surely there are schools nearby. Head on over about
3 or so and watch when the majority of cars leave. Most teachers have that "teacher air" about them so you can tell them from the support staff. If the only question you have about teaching is "when can I go home" then most here (all probably) would say it is not going to be your thing. If you are serious then I stand corrected (and amazed).:|

 

Whew! I can see leaving at 3:45. That's not too bad.

Anyhow, I taught at a private school for awhile where I got to leave right when the kids left at 3:00.

I believe I'm a pretty good teacher. I made straight A's in all my teaching classes. No, I don't have a passion for it. I can do it, but my main focus is making money. I want to get paid. I know teachers don't make a bunch, but it is better than what I am making now--which is nothing.

I don't expect to love what I am doing, but if I was making some money, I'd love what I was doing just as much as I possibly could.

I like decorating the classroom...that's about it...

Yeah, I am serious. I get that reaction a lot.


I am just having a real problem. Two degrees and can't do anything with either of them.

 

When you "can" leave and when you actually leave are two entirely different things... my contract says I only have to be in 10 minutes before the kids do and can leave 5 minutes after they do. Some teachers at my building do... I also don't always think they're the best teachers there. Some of them are great, some I think othewise. The same goes for those who come in really early or who stay late...

Most teachers who leave soon after the kids do end up taking work home with them. I know that if I take work home, very little of it will actually get done, so I stay at school most days to finish. When I get home, I like to destress, play facebook games, etc.

how much work there is, and what kind of work there is, depends on te level you're teaching. I teach preschool... I don't have papers to grade, but there are always patterns to make, templates to cut out, laminating, IEP's, etc. Not so much "prep work" for the older grades, but more grading.

If you're only looking at teaching to get a paycheck, please don't do it. I know that you can love what you do as much as you can since it's paying you, but the kids will suffer. If you aren't passionate about teaching, it isn't the job for you, because it isn't fair to the kids.

Have you thought about combining your love for horses with teaching? Maybe you could teach horseback riding (horse care, grooming, etc). classes? I live in an area with a bunch of forest preserves, and there are a number of stables around here that offer riding lessons. That might be a way to use your degree and still do what you love to do.

 

:|

I really hope my future children don't have teachers like you.

Sounds harsh, but yikes...

 

I know I am not the "ideal teacher" by any means. I told my parents that when they were telling me I needed to DO something--they said that was an easy job.

My reaction was--

I hate school, why would I want to work in one?
Kids don't listen to me!

I am just tired of hearing every day--getajobgetajobwhenareyougoingtogotoworkgetajobgolookforajobwhatareyougoingtodoyoudon'twanttoworkgetajobgetajob

I think ANY job you have, they expect you to be totally into it. My attitude is certainly not the norm. As for retail or fast food jobs--they will not hire me because I have no experience in retail or fast food. Besides which, I can't make enough to live on in those fields. I can't make much teaching riding, either. Would rather be ON the horse riding it anyway. Training is more my forte.

When I got out of high school--many moons ago--I told my parents I wanted to go to a horsemanship type school--my dad said he wasn't paying money for me to go sit on a horse somewhere.

So, here I am, 30 years later and all I want to do still is sit on a horse somewhere.

By the way, If I brought home work to grade, I would actually grade it at home. And, Pigeon: your kids will probably be brats anyway...


Thanks for all the info, it's been very helpful!

 

I hate to tell you, but your parents were wrong when they said teaching is an easy job. It isn't, by any means. I hate it when parents try to get their children to do what THEY want rather than allow you their children to follow their own dreams. You certainly aren't alone.

how do you know retail, etc. won't hire you because you have no experience? Many pleaces near me will be happy to train people who don't have experience in that field.. they also have managerial work, and that's definately higher pay than minimum wage.

If you don't have the passion and enthusiasm, you'll also have a difficult time getting a job in the teaching field. Principals can smell that a mile away, and they aren't going to hire someone who doesn't convince them they WANT the job... not just to get a paycheck, but to make a difference in the lives of tomorrow's leaders.

I would vote for your going to horsemanship school... if that's what you want to do, then do it. Learn to train horses or do whatever else it is in that field (sorry, I don't know much about it, although bf's sister rode competitively through high school)You don't want to spend the rest of your life being miserable.

 

I am still working on my certification, so I haven't had much experience teaching. However, I was a religious education teacher for two years; I taught for 1 hour and 15 minutes 1 day a week from September to April. It was not easy. The amount of work I did to prepare just for that one day was probably more than I should have done; but I did it to research questions I didn't have answers to, find different games, prepare for the class for next week, write to parents, etc. It is NOT an easy job and you need to be fully into what you do.

When you say you're tired of hearing 'get a job, get a job, get a job.' Then get one. You will be hired at fast food and/or retail jobs; that's what training is for. As for not being able to make enough money to live if you work retail… my uncle is a manager of a retail store (he worked his way up obv.) and him and my aunt own a house and raise two kids on that one salary (my aunt doesn't work).

Would rather be ON the horse riding it anyway. Training is more my forte.

When I got out of high school--many moons ago--I told my parents I wanted to go to a horsemanship type school--my dad said he wasn't paying money for me to go sit on a horse somewhere.

So, here I am, 30 years later and all I want to do still is sit on a horse somewhere.

Is there a place by you where you would be able to hold classes to teach others how to ride a horse? Why not work at a stable?

Don't do something because someone is telling you to do it. Do something because YOU want to do it.

 

Find a career that involves sitting on a horse somewhere. It sounds as though that's what you're looking for, so don't settle for less.

If you're looking for a job you can leave at work, teaching is not it.

You're going to be working for at least another 30 years. THIRTY YEARS!!!


Find something you love and spend 30 years doing it.

You deserve nothing less.

To answer your question: I've been teaching since 1980, so my prep time is virtually non-existant.

Yet I give extra help almost every day until 3:40 (when I have to leave to pick up my kids.) I spend time on the weekends grading and making up tests. I spend time over the summer prepping for the upcoming year.

And that's AFTER the first 25 years teaching (5 off to be home with the kiddies.) In the beginning, there's a LOT of prep each night as you organize the upcoming lessons.

 

you said you are 40+???? Why do you care what your parents think?

You do not sound like a teacher. This is a job that requires a lot of work- you can not just decorate a room and think you are a good teacher.

Please find a different 9-5 job.

 

Well for one thing, I have to care what my parents think since I live with them.

I don't think anybody's got to worry--I doubt if a principal would hire me anyhow. I can't answer the questions correctly.

I seem to do fine substituting--I thought maybe I could make it work. MAybe not.


I HAVE applied in retail and I don't get called in for interviews. EVER

 

I just realized I don't even need to be concerned about whether or not you will "teach" children someday. It's a pointless argument, since it doesn't seem like you are the type of person a school district would hire.

I still think this thread is a joke, though. No one could seriously post these things...

 

Well, I am serious! You don't have to believe me. That's fine. Not everyone is alike, I admit I am a little different.

I like teaching school just as much as I like any other job.

That being said, I guess I got my answer.


Thanks

 

I work around eight hours at work every day. I also do at home work several days a week for several hours. Please rethink your plan. I have had to pick up the pieces left from uninterested or incompetent teachers. It is not fair to the kids or your fellow teachers. Work as an aide or a sub. I like teaching more than any other job I have taken, it is a job that I would never do if not for that fact. It is too hard and too stressful to do if not for that.

 

So, that little "joke" of a school that you worked at for 10 years...how much free time did you have during that? The one where you were creative, organized, and just an excellent teacher?

You've got to see this from our point of view. You are coming to a teaching website, and asking a bunch of teachers how little you can do to get by. How little you can put into a job, and still get a paycheck. Did you really expect anyone to say "oh, sure, teaching is a walk in the park, you walk in, you keep the kids busy for 7 hours, and you go home"? Really?

Think of it this way--what if I went to a horse owners forum and posted a question like: I really want to own a horse because they are so pretty and fun to ride now and then, but do I really have to feed and water it EVERY day? What about exercise? Can't it just get by with exercise now and then? I want to be a horse owner, but I'm just not into the whole care-taking thing. I had a dog once, and it turned out ok. I kept it in a kennel all day and gave it a ball to chew on, and it never died or anything. So won't a horse be fine? Oh, and no one who knows me thinks I should have a horse, but since I really want one, I should just get it, right? Would you be shocked if the members of that forum didn't take me very seriously? Because that just sounds ridiculous. And that's what this whole situation sounds like to us.

I'm going to put this rather harshly. Grow up. You are over 40, living with your parents, and ideally you want to not work, ever. Barring that, you want to go to a place where they let you breathe for 40 hours per week, and get paid for that. That is not going to happen, to anyone, ever. It's time to wake up, face reality, and get.a.job. Discover what you want to do, become passionate about it, and do it. Find a stable, find a place where you can give lessons, maybe a vet assistant or even a pen rider at a feedlot. But do something.

Look at it from your parent's perspective-they have a 40+ year old child essentially mooching off of them, and stressing them out during what was supposed to be their glory years. Where did their money come from? What did they do for employment? How did they get to where they are right now? You said you moved to a new state (presumably to live with your parents?)--were you invited? Did they give you stipulations when you moved in? If so, be an adult and support yourself.

I agree with your dad. It would be great to ride horses all day (well, not for me, if I was going to choose a non-career, I'd have to say sitting on my boat 24/7). But that's not reality.

x 10

 

:clap: :clap: :clap: thanks kc

 

I do not believe that my wondering about the extra preparation and time spent in this JOB is an odd question.

Look, ideally everyone should be working in a position that they are "passionate" about. However, if somebody has the credentials, but not the passion, that person can still excell in whatever job they get hired for. It takes doing what it is that you are supposed to do.

Teaching is a job. It pays money. To try and elevate it to some sort of noble thing is just unrealistic.

When I was teaching, I did everything I could to be sure those kids learned what they were supposed to. It wasn't hard and it didn't take a whole lot of work. It didn't take a lot of outside preparation, yet, Every year my classes scored way above grade level on the achievement tests they were given.

The time I spent teaching in a public school--the teachers were required to stay for a certain length of time at the end of the day--all they did was stand around and talk! They didn't work--heck, I could go home and do something, why would I want to just hang around the school and talk?

I think anyone is entitled to want to go home and enjoy whatever they are interested in at the end of the day. It doesn't have anything to do with how good a teacher a person is.


The thing about teaching is that you get the "benefits" and all that sort of stuff that's supposed to be important later in life. It is just not possible for me to have a career that I will like and enjoy. There aren't any of those sorts of careers available.

I do not expect to like what I do for a living, it is just not in me to enjoy going someplace and having somebody tell me what to do. However, if the pay is decent I can enjoy spending the money I make which will make me enjoy the job more. My love and passion for a job is closely attached to receiving a paycheck. I will work hard and do what I am supposed to do if they pay me. I will even act like I am having fun.


I apologize for ever starting this thread. I had what I thought was a simple question but I see now that was a mistake. I won't post here in the future.
Thanks for all the input and helpful:lol: suggestions. You can stop now.

 

You don't sound like you want to be a teacher. You have to like your job and enjoy what you're doing and be willing to put in the extra work to do whatever is necessary for your students to be successful. I'm sorry that your father seemed to think that a job is just a job and you should just be happy to be making money, but if that's what you need- then go work retail or a desk job. I really hope you don't get hired as a teacher with that kind of attitude.

 

I think you have a little fun at our expense. You sound reasonably intelligent but if all you say is true you are obviously socially
inept. You had to see where this would lead by saying "Im over forty, still at home with parents sayin GET A JOB, only worried about when you can go home etc," But I will give you this,
I have known some miserable and negative teachers that did a great job because they DID their job and worked hard at it.
And I think it is good for kids to encounter all kinds of teachers (people) cause it prepares them better for life.
Now quit horsing around and get a #&^@%^@# JOB..............:woot:

 

This is not a profession for those without 'much ambition'. Students deserve great teachers who have a passion for what we do, for the subject matter, for the kids...

First year teachers will tell you that much of their free time is spent planning, researching, developing lessons...yes, it's vital to make time for yourself but the kids you will potentially teach deserve more than someone who takes the job to finance their free time. Be honest with yourself...do you have a passion for teaching? What qualities do you have that will compel a district to hire you? It's a competitive climate out there, but even in easier times, districts are looking for great, dedicated, passionate professionals. Will you fit the bill?

 

If you really taught in the past why are you wasting our time asking questions your previous experience already answered go troll elsewhere!

 

The OP seems to have gotten all they wanted out of this thread so I'm closing it.