They did not give me a lunch break.

I am a new teacher and coach. My schedule is hectic since I am a traveling teacher and will also be coaching two sports.

Today, the friday before school I finally got my entire schedule. On it was two conference periods. I thought "Wow" plenty of time to plan and keep up with stuff this will be great!

One of those conferences is "lunch duty". They scheduled me to do it during the entire period since I am a coach and kids are supposedly going to do what I say because of who I am.

In my state, we are required by law to have 30 minutes without any duties that does not include our conference period.

I could bring this to light and fight it but being a new teacher it would not come out well or I could do it and not eat lunch. I am worried that if I do not eat lunch I may have a problem being out in the hot 100 degree weather from 3pm until 5pm everyday.

I feel like I am screwed either way. I do have a mentor but she is gone for the week. I do not mind doing lunch duty but I feel that it is unfair that the two coaches have to do lunch duty for all three sections while everyone else only has one or two.

 

You have to get a break.... that's insane. Do you think it was an oversight? I would politely bring it up to someone in charge.

 

Is there anyway to contact your mentor and ask his/her advice on what to do?

So one conference period is your lunch duty and the other is a free period ot prep? Is "lunch duty" all year or just on marking period?

I kind of know how you feel; when I was offered a job i found out I eat lunch with the kids, in the cafeteria and must enforce behavior, and that my daily 40 minute prep is ALWAYS spent meeting with my other grade level teachers. This is a foreign concept to me (eating lunch w/students) since in NY (where I have been living & subbing) is not like that at all but apparently NC is and other states as far as I've heard.

 

NYS- where were you from on LI? I see you have a job now.. Lucky you

 

MissFrizzle, I'm from Bay Shore, but went to islip Schools.

Yes, I have a job now, in NC. I would have rather stayed on LI if I could have but with being from the Island you know how the jobs are here for teachers. Very very scarce.

What part of Li are you from?

 

Hicksville


Not one lousy interview this year... i am seriously depressed.

 

Good luck in NC... What part are you in? You can PM if you want anytime... so we don't hijack the thread...

 

TexasAggie2323: New teacher or not, you are still a teacher and you still have a voice. New teacher's need to be able to stand up for themselves and not feel like they are being out of line. It's not like you are bringing attention to the horrid color of the paint in the school hallways. Hello, we are talking about your lunch period here. This seems really out of compliance to me and is without a doubt something you should talk to your mentor teacher about. Congrats on the new job also.

 

If you don't make yourself heard they will continue to "forget " other things too.... it's unbeleivable.

 

Thanks Nasimi

To answer the questions.

1.) Yes, I did ask about it during the meeting today. They told me that I would eat while doing my duty (ie standing and eating whatever I could do that with)

2.) As a new teacher, I am scared that if I am too out of line I will be canned at the end of the year. I also have a wife that is about to be out of student teaching that will need a job. I have one pretty much lined up for her if things keep going the way they are. However, I think she may have given me this duty because she knows that I would be in this situation.

I guess I will have to talk to my mentor about it. I just don't want the **** to hit the fan at the beginning of school. Especially when I have so many other things to deal with.

 

Was it the principal who told you that you will have to eat while on your duty? Ugh, this just seems so wrong to me. However, I also subbed for LAUSD that has a union that fought for teachers not having to do lucnh duty at all! So that's why for me this especially seems way out of line.

You sure as heck shouldn't be canned for raising a concern. It's all about the delivery. I've read your posts in the past and you seem very professional. I can't imagine they would construe your concerns into a reason to dismiss you.

I think your idea to talk to your mentor is perfect. Hopefully that will level things out for you a bit more.

Best of luck to you!

 

hey Texas Aggie--I was in somewhat of a similar situation last year and they fixed it so I had a lunch, but it was after my Lunch Duty--it was awful! However, I started randomly sitting with different groups of kids for like a few minutes here or there and would just talk to them about thier day. And then I would walk around the cafe for awhile and then stop and chat with another table and eat. The principal saw me doing this one day and was like "I have never seen a teacher sit with the kids, I love it." I'm also a coach so the first time I did it I sat with girls I knew..but then I randomly went abou the cafeteria. I was also a first year teacher and never would have said anything! So I understand you...make the best out of it and keep me posted on how it goes. What do you coach? (sorry if you have posted this somewhere...i'm new)

 

I coach football and basketball.

The thing that pisses me off is that this is against the law in Texas. If they would have asked me I probably would have done it but to be thrown into the situation and told that I was going to do this makes me very upset.

 

TexasAggie -

Are you in the Union? Or do you have a union rep at your school? I would seriously consider talking to them about this....you entitled to that "adult" time. I would definately talk to someone about this!!!

 

I totally agree with mnteacherguy TexasAggie. It's against the law and totally out of compliance. You've gotta make some noise on this one or who knows what other wool they'll try to pull over your eyes.

 

We don't have Unions in Texas. We have prof. organizations which are pretty much the same thing but do not have as much pull because we cannot strike.

I belong to ATPE. I am going to talk to my mentor on monday about it and hopefully she can work it out. She is a pain in the ass type of person when it comes to getting stuff done right so that should be as far as I need to go.

 

We don't have a "lunch break" we get 2 ten minute breaks which many of my teachers at school get as a "lunch" however, I never see that time in Pre-k since my kids don't eat in the cafeteria. When I asked one of the people from downtown they told me that we don't have a lunch break. Our lunch is from 3:00 - 3:45 in the afteroon (after school) but "duty free" so we can leave school when the kids do...

 

Just to chime in... It Is AGAINST THE LAW to not be given a DUTY FREE LUNCH! Any teacher organization will back you on that. You are entitled BY LAW to have a duty free lunch. I would politely remind them they forgot to schedule you your right to a duty free lunch.

 

It just amazes me that any school district would allow a teacher not to have a duty free lunch and a break. Why would anyone in their right mind work for Chicago?

 

We do get a duty free lunch supposedly it is just the 45 minutes after the kids leave school. So we are free to leave and go home right when the kids do. We are entitled to 2 ten minute breaks but in the pre-k full day world it is hard to work it in. My kids go to preps so I get a 36 minute prep. Chicago kids need teachers too. I find I am in my right mind most of the time. My little guys deserve a chance as much as any other kids--

 

I know that it wouldn't fly here if our 40-minute uninterrupted lunch (as per our contract) was given to us after the students left for the day!

 

We also have a shorter school day than anyone else--- by quite a bit--

 

I think it's not the best of plans either-- but well we have a decently strong union and we have 610 schools so I doubt it is illegal the way they have it and I doubt the union will do anything to overturn it. It has something to do with the closed lunch policy......

 

CT, what are the hours? You made me curious.

 

Well I believe the typical Chicago school day is 5 1/2 hours for kids. Oh they added 15 mins. So I guess it is 5 hours 45 mins. Teachers come in 30 mins early. Some schools are "extended day and go extra time." Typical school day (ELEM- PK-8) I believe is 8:00 - 2:15 for teachers/8:30 - 2:15 for kids (or the other options starting at 7:30 or 7:45... I think a few start later too. With over 400 elementary schools who knows! There is no standard as far as that is concerned...

 

It was the length of the school day for the kiddos I was curious about! That does seem short! Thanks for the info!

 

Hey there pfnw.......slow down a bit! You roped me in with that comment of yours so here goes kiddo!!!! The last time I checked.....ok I'll check again right now...yep, hasn't changed......I AM in my right mind and the reason I choose to work for Chicago is because I live here and it ROCKS!!!!

My students attend from 9:00-2:45. Very short work day for us as we have to be there from 8:30-2:45. We get paid really well and have ridiculous amounts of sick and personal days. We don't have to find our own subs. We just call an automated system and it's all handled for us. I enjoy being home by 3:10 daily and having most of the day still to do as I please. I have a twenty minute "lunch" built in during my day as well as my duty-free lunch at the end of the day.

My school is gorgeous and in a very nice part of town. Sorry to disappoint you Oregon, but we don't have any gang bangas at my school. Just regular, run of the mill good kids!!!

 

I think specials teachers always get the shaft! Sorry you don't get a break! Hang in there. Where are you teaching? I'm from TX and working in Killeen while I was in TX.

 

I am in an exburb of Dallas. It is growing like crazy out here so we have 10 floating teacher at my middle school and when they build the new middle school in the next couple of years we will still be packed.

I think the reason that I do not get a lunch and have to work every duty is because of the number of kids and the lack of staff to be able to make the schedule run.

I did have some teacher's email the principal about it not being fair but I will not get into it. I am much happier doing lunch duty then having an extra class or getting fired.

 

TA....you have the right attitude! Sometimes you just gotta say, "life's too short......." Things can always be worse!

 

Do you have a master contract? I'm not a 100% sure of all the laws and contracts in other states. In Iowa, we have master contracts. In the contract it states whatever about lunches and such. If the district breaks the contract, you can fight it. Even if you are a newbie teacher, which I am. Starting my second year this fall.

Do you belong to a union? If so I would consult with them right away. If this is a contractual problem then they have to help. Even if you aren't a union member, they really need to fight for this. In my state they will fight because of the contract not you (if you're not a member).

 

Hmmmm, next stop, Chicago Illinois. Sounds great Ann2006! Oh, and way to stick up for your State.

 

It is a great place--- Not my home state--but I plan on making it my home for a long while---

 

my sister lives in a Northwest burb and has for a very long time. We love going to visit her family!

 

No Unions in Texas we are an "At will" work state. We do have professional organizations.

There are clauses that allow them to not give you a lunch. One of them is not having enough people to cover the lunchroom. They have to do some things that I am not sure if they have done but I can see why they need me. We have a lunch of over 400 kids.

If I really wanted to fight it I probably could...however it really doesnt bother me anymore and I have already had a ton of compliments for what I am doing (floating, coaching, lunch duty, putting lessons on the shared drive so other teachers can use them at other schools in my school district).

 

It will pay off in the end... your totally right. But sorry it still stinks!

Oh and have "thumbs up" year (hehe aggie reference!!)

 

Chicago

Ann2006,

Is there anything nice bout being in a big city??? j/k

I didn't realize you had that short of a day. The only news I hear about Chicago is how horrible the big city is. Since Chicago has more people than my state, I just figured it must be horrible.

I wonder though if you'd think Chicago was still great if you lived and taught in the inner city?

As for me, I'll stay out west where life is truely great!

 

Nasimi77,

Now don't get me started about California!!!

You know that's a swear word in the states that surround ya.

 

Let's show respect to the poster who started this thread and get back on topic pnfw. I have no desire to banter.

Welcome to the boards.

 

I have to comment--- (I AM HORRID ABOUT STAYING ON TOPIC!)-- Sorry to the OP--

PNFW--- Chicago is very hard to explain to outsiders I think. While some cities have just a "big inner city slum/ghetto (if you want to go there)." Chicago has several areas that could be considered undesirable. We are a BIG city. We have many different ethinic enclaves and I can leave my house and within 30 minutes (train/bus/car) I can have authentic Chinese, Italian, Korean, Lebanese, Indian, Jewish, or Greek food. I am sure there are others cuisines I am missing.

I DO teach in the "inner-city" Ever see ER? Well I teach less than 2 miles from the real Cook County ER... and ER isn't downtown like they'll make you think. I teach in between two large (but getting smaller housing projects). Does my job have challenges? Of course! Are there days where I just want to run out the door and never look back? Sometimes. Do kids get arrested at my school? Yes. Do I feel unsafe at work? Usually not. Do I love my kids and what I get to do for them? ABSOLUTELY! Do I think they respect me? I do indeed! Is it hard work? OF COURSE, but that's what we expected when we signed up to be teachers, isn't it?

As for living in the "Inner-city" Well I guess the "Inner" most part of the city would be the loop/gold coast/downtown--and well frankly I couldn't afford to live there! (Nor would I want too!) Ever heard of "Cabrini Green?" America's most notorious housing project-- well guess what I couldn't afford to buy a bathroom near there because it is so expensive---. Where do I live? I live on the north side of the city. In a cute little neighborhood. I can walk to the "el" or several bus lines. If I want to go to a somewhat "inner-city" 'hood I walk about one mile and I am in "Uptown" which may look scarry but really isn't. It probably would scare you though judging from your judgements of our beautiful city. If I walk 1/2 a mile in the other direction from my house I can be at my public library, the local running spot/store, and in a cute little shopping strip that is unfortunately being overrun by big buisness. Cold Stone Creamery, Potbelly Deli, Starbucks. Still, there are many unique and cute little buisnesses.

What else do we have in Chicago that other cities don't have? We are the only city I believe in the WORLD to have two major airports connected by rapid transit (read this "the el' or trains), We have world class museums (that teachers get into for FREE), we have www.donorschoose.org to help us with our classrooms, we have all the amazing ethnically diverse restruaunts/cultural aspects to explore, we have THE BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE with beaches, running paths, biking paths, and a freakin highway that is pretty fun to drive down (even as a passanger).....

So yeah-- Chicago is great even living near and teaching in the "inner-city."

You enjoy yourself out west---- we'll continue to LOVE being Chicagoans---