I did the math: I am at school by 7 a.m. to get copying done, organize handouts and do other preparatory work.
I am in my classroom until 6. I spend on average five hours each weekend, marking, recording marks, developing worksheets and lesson plans, and so on.
So, each working week, I work 60 hours, teaching high school. If a normal work week is 40 hours, I work 50 per cent more. Since I teach for 36 weeks a year, this comes out to 54 “normal” work weeks – with no time off.
In addition, during Christmas and spring breaks, I work three or four eight-hour days each week catching up on marking and preparation. I did at least eight hours of work each week during my summer “holidays,” plus a four-day professional development course, which cost $1,000.
I do all of this for the princely sum of $45,000 per year. I am a new teacher. I have a family that wants my attention, but doesn’t get it because I’m busy with school.
Please, remember that teachers work hard, year-round, for our students.
Elizabeth A. Cousar