OT: Teachers of Boneyard...Back to School Time

[husky429]

Totally (respectfully) disagree. Dentist isn't a doctor? Optometrist isn't a doctor? Both don't have DO or MD but go to 4 years of graduate schooling where they do 3 years of training that involves all body of medicine and then a year of rotation and likely a year of residency. Similar with pharmacists. DO and MD being the only doctor is an antiquated way to look at things. Fair on the physician portion; I was wrong on that and thought it was the other way around

I'll allow it for the dentists and optometrists, lol. Pharmacists don't get the same type of training so I won't count them.

You may have been mistaking them for DNPs. DNPs in some states (like CT) are allowed to pracitce independently now. My DO friend says it's to try to support rural medical care because no MD/DOs want to go work in the sticks. This is all coming from my cousin last Thanksgiving and she's a drunk. So don't quote me

 

[temery]

https://www.wwlp.com/reviews/br/office-br/supplies-br/all-the-best-teacher-appreciation-week-freebies-and-deals/

 

[brihman]

Checking in here as the resident private school teacher.

Independent schools don't really follow standard procedure and our school doesn't even have pay scale that is readily available. That being said, here's what my % increases have looked like since I've been keeping track.

View attachment 95258

Riding out the 2020-21 covid year, especially with no coaching and a sharp decrease in tutoring, was tough, but in my 14th year, I'm at a point where my pay (before coaching) is just a few thousand below median Fairfield county salaries.

In 2021, I was seriously considering leaving my school for much higher paying public school job, but so far, I'm happy with my decision.

That being said, my contract should come out in about six-to-eight weeks and I'm expecting a 5% increase, give or take. Everything is negotiable, so we'll see.

Retirement wise, I have no idea if I'm actually prepared, but about 12% each year is put away in a TIAA-Cref and I'll be about 54 when our mortgage is paid off.

I’m not Dave Ramsey or whatever but sounds like your in a decent spot, esp if your doing something meaningful that you enjoy

 

[Khal Drogo]

WEP ... my teachers union blasted that in an email, asking us to call up and complain that it is stealing earned retirement funds from retirees. I've researched it a bit as I'm that guy who is getting punished by WEP ... I had a private career for about 13 years before teaching and my SS payments will get reduced.

So I researched WEP, and in concept, it appears to be fair (I haven't been able to study the actual formula to determine if it is perfectly fair in practice). How a career like mine actually games the system without WEP ...

SS pays you for your highest 35 earning years. Essentially paying low earners a high percent of their pay back in SS benefits, and a much lower percent for folks earning more $$ ... it is a safety net for low earners I think. The formula give 90% of your first low income band of earning, 32% for the second, and 15% for the highest income band. If you only worked 10 years paying into SS, they divide your earned amount by 35 years and it appears that you were a low income earner, and you receive MUCH higher benefits per $$ earned. WEP tries to correct that.

That's the best that I can do to explain, but in my opinion, paying teachers full SS benefits (without WEP reductions) is overpaying, and therefore taking from the remaining retirees. I hope they repeal WEP so I can get more and live large ... but it might not be fair!

WEP is federal. You maybe okay with it in Connecticut, where salaries and pensions are decent. What about in Louisiana and other states where teachers cops and firefighters get paid crap.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Just announced, but we're adding another teacher to my school's middle school math department at an independent school in Fairfield Country. It'll at least be a PT job with potential of becoming a FT job.

PM me if you or if you know of anyone might be interested in applying!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, y'all.

 

[husky429]

Just announced, but we're adding another teacher to my school's middle school math department at an independent school in Fairfield Country. It'll at least be a PT job with potential of becoming a FT job.

PM me if you or if you know of anyone might be interested in applying!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, y'all.

That's gonna be tough to fill. Maybe a retiree?

 

[Hey Adrien!]

That's gonna be tough to fill. Maybe a retiree?

Or, like me in 2009, a recent graduate who is still living at home and didn't get into the local public school jobs they applied to.

[fingers crossed]

 

[Rocktheworld]

I'll allow it for the dentists and optometrists, lol. Pharmacists don't get the same type of training so I won't count them.

You may have been mistaking them for DNPs. DNPs in some states (like CT) are allowed to pracitce independently now. My DO friend says it's to try to support rural medical care because no MD/DOs want to go work in the sticks. This is all coming from my cousin last Thanksgiving and she's a drunk. So don't quote me

You’re sticking to a colloquial, lay person’s perception of what connotes being a “Doctor”. The term “Doctor” is used for someone who has extremely specialized and intensive education/training in a complicated field i.e. a “doctoral” level of study. After all, a MD is simply a Medical Doctor. The term Doctor has clearly never been exclusive to the medical field. Nobody with a DPT is putting MD after their name, and nobody with a PhD is jumping up on a plane in a medical emergency when someone asks who on board is a doctor. The title is about respect for the extensive, difficult time they’ve dedicated, and the life they otherwise could be living but set aside, to achieve a highly regarded level within their profession. I know countless DPTs and DNPs, and plenty of Clinical Psychologists sporting their PhD. A former girlfriend of mine certainly busted her ass and put her life on hold just as much as anyone who went through medical school and residency. You are certainly free to appreciate the qualitative differences between different iterations of Doctors; but it’s a silly thing to hold contempt over.

 

[Dove]

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

May is definitely the worst month of the school year. Standardized testing and you’re still trying to hold kids to some kind of a standard. June is just survive and advance.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Or, like me in 2009, a recent graduate who is still living at home and didn't get into the local public school jobs they applied to.

[fingers crossed]

I graduated in 2011 and the change in teacher job markets is wild. I was looking for social studies jobs and there were 5 open in the whole state that summer.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

My sister is starting up her 20th year at Greenwich High. She’s heading back next week for the meetings.

Glastonbury where my kids go start school this Thursday.

My wife taught for 32 years at Katonah/Lewisboro, and has occasionally subbed at New Milford HS. I used to help her grade her science stuff. Lol. Likes keeping busy, so she works 2 days a week at a pre school.

 

[husky429]

I graduated in 2011 and the change in teacher job markets is wild. I was looking for social studies jobs and there were 5 open in the whole state that summer.

My first job had 98 applicants. No idea why those idiots hired me.

 

[husky429]

May is definitely the worst month of the school year. Standardized testing and you’re still trying to hold kids to some kind of a standard. June is just survive and advance.

We have 23 days of school in May. I am giving standardized tests or make-ups 21 of those days. Even kids who show up have testing 13 days.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

May is definitely the worst month of the school year. Standardized testing and you’re still trying to hold kids to some kind of a standard. June is just survive and advance.

For sure.

My mom is back in the hospital, but thankfully, as you mentioned, probably because that it's already mid-May, my school has been super kind to let me have as much time off I need to be with my mom. I'm certain they'd do the same no matter the date, but it's definitely easier to "let go of control at work" now then, let's say, December.

 

[Minicoop69]

10 days left with kids and 1 day left for grade and BS meetings. But done May 31st so can't complain

 

[Hey Adrien!]

It's my first day back and I have six hours of meetings today...and I'm ready for a nap.

 

[Minicoop69]

It's my first day back and I have six hours of meetings today...and I'm ready for a nap.

That was me last Monday. Today is 5th day with kids.

 

[SportsFan88]

Us teachers in Bridgeport go back Thursday the kiddies start the following week

 

[crazyUCfan23]

Us teachers in Bridgeport go back Thursday the kiddies start the following week

same in Danbury

 

[StllH8L8ner]

This is always a fun thread around this time. I’m not a teacher but my kids go back next week. Son is moving to middle school now so his 8:40am bus pick up is now 7:30am. Won’t he be surprised.

 

[cp176]

great thread and good luck to all - I was a middle school (public) teacher and coach for 34. I stayed in the classroom and would not have changed one thing. With all that said though, September is a beautiful month.

 

[husky429]

I'm interviewing today for a job that was supposed to start 2 days ago for orientation/convocation. It will be pretty weird if I go to 2 days of PD at my current job, and then give them a "I won't be in tomorrow. Surprise!" But it is what it is, I guess.

 

[temery]

I'm interviewing today for a job that was supposed to start 2 days ago for orientation/convocation. It will be pretty weird if I go to 2 days of PD at my current job, and then give them a "I won't be in tomorrow. Surprise!" But it is what it is, I guess.

Never concern yourself with what a current employer thinks if you accept a job elsewhere. If they cared, they would have made a better offer to keep you.

 

[husky429]

Never concern yourself with what a current employer thinks if you accept a job elsewhere. If they cared, they would have made a better offer to keep you.

I was telling my wife's parents this yesterday and it couldn't even register with them. They come from the land of "stay at your employer for 30 years, get a pension, give your two weeks if you leave." FIL has been working for the same employer since 1991.

The only thing keeping me in my current job is they put me on top of the pay scale well before I deserved it to try to get me to come on board a few years ago.

I'm looking for admin jobs (this one is a closer step), and my current district has hired around 10 admin in the past 2 years: 0 of them internally. If I can get comparable pay somewhere else in a job more suited to my career development, there's no incentive left to stay. They've made it abundantly clear that I have nowhere else to go in their system.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Never concern yourself with what a current employer thinks if you accept a job elsewhere. If they cared, they would have made a better offer to keep you.

I left a job with a big bank during Covid and prior to that every other email was “we’re with you, stay safe, we’re here for you, care for your families, keep fighting”. Fast forward to late last year they announced tens of thousands of layoffs including a lot of my former colleagues who I keep in touch with.

Bottom line - you do what’s best for you. Your employer will figure it out.

 

[temery]

Us teachers in Bridgeport go back Thursday the kiddies start the following week

I'm not sure when school began to start before the first Wed after Labor Day, but it's bullshit. Adding a few days to the school year does nothing to improve a child's education.

Summer activities with friends is far more valuable than moving the rituals of the first few days of school up even just a few days.

"When does school start" should never be a valid question. The Wed after Labor Day should be the only answer.

Oh ... and the change in the starting date for school is what killed the Jerry Lewis Telethon.

</rant>

 

[Chin Diesel]

I was telling my wife's parents this yesterday and it couldn't even register with them. They come from the land of "stay at your employer for 30 years, get a pension, give your two weeks if you leave." FIL has been working for the same employer since 1991.

The only thing keeping me in my current job is they put me on top of the pay scale well before I deserved it to try to get me to come on board a few years ago.

And remember they'll unload you as quick as they can if they deem you unnecessary.

 

[Bootsy]

I'm interviewing today for a job that was supposed to start 2 days ago for orientation/convocation. It will be pretty weird if I go to 2 days of PD at my current job, and then give them a "I won't be in tomorrow. Surprise!" But it is what it is, I guess.

If you are in a public school and go to another public school district, your current district is entitled to keep you for 30 days. The release is typically negotiated between the superintendents for a solution.

 

[husky429]

If you are in a public school and go to another public school district, your current district is entitled to keep you for 30 days. The release is typically negotiated between the superintendents for a solution.

This is not correct. It's a myth perpetuated by political forces to keep teachers in place. Same type of myth as "you only have tenure when you start your 5th year!" The millisecond you are offered a year 5 contract, you are tenured with or without the letter.

Mobility is dependent on the contract. I have worked in 3 districts and none of them required 30 day notice. Teachers can (and have) quit one day and never come back in my district.