Do Teachers actually do any work during their 12 weeks holiday every year?

Question

I am always told how hard teachers work, but knowing they get 12 weeks paid holiday a year, do all of them actually work during this time? Or do yo think the 3 months holiday a year is what attracts most people to the job??

Answer 1

Yes they do work on a couple of dates throughout!..

Answer 2

I've taken workshops this summer, as well as teaching summer school, and spent time preparing for next year. Trying to figure out what projects to do and lesson plans.
Another consideration is that teachers are salary, meaning there is no overtime. In our school we are paid to be there from 8:30 until 3:30. On average I had about 30-40 minutes of planning time within that. (I taught 4 subjects - well 2 subjects at 2 different grade levels). Any time we spent at school or even at home working on school stuff was not compensated. I am not really a morning person, so I would get to school right at 8:30 but would often stay until 6 or 7 then go home and work on things until 10 or so, at least 3 nights a week. Then when you count in the hours I spent on the weekend grading papers or creating projects. I could have easily accumulated 20 hours a week in overtime (which in most places is time and a half.) So I kinda view it as, the summer is my overtime pay. Our school does not get 12 weeks either. We only have 10 (less if you teach summer school).
I guess there are teachers who do just take a break, and are often the ones who leave right at 3:30. But I believe those who are truly dedicated to their job, deserve the time off. Of course, I don't think a teacher is ever "not a teacher", we are always evaluating things to see if we can use them in our classrooms.
As far as people getting into the profession JUST for the vacation, it's not likely. There is so much politics, paperwork, and stress that if you don't love teaching for teaching's sake, you won't last long before burning out.
While we do get time off at Christmas - we don't have a choice as to when our vacation is. If we wish to go ON vacation, we have to go during peak season. We also cannot just take a week of vacation because we want to. To use time during the school year we have to be sick or have a doctors excuse. I have 4 personal days I can use in the school year.
I hope this helps at least a little bit.
I can honestly say that summer vacation was not a factor in me becoming a teacher, don't get me wrong - it's a great perk, but not a reason.
Also, (sorry I have lots to say about the subject) remember when you were in school how fried your brain was by the end of the school year and how you just couldn't wait to have a break? Well it's that way for teachers too.

Answer 3

Teachers DO work hard. The 3 month "paid" holiday is actually not paid. Teachers get a 10 month contract and that is what is paid. Districts, like the one I work at, pay once a month so annual salary is divided into 12 months and therefore, teachers get a paycheck year round. Since I am not a teacher, I am the executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, I work year round and do not get the 3 months holiday that you mention (which is really not 3 but 2 months). I think the teachers deserve the time off though, they work hard during the school year.

Answer 4

Why do you think I am here at a flippin PC when I could be at the pub? I'm doing a bit of homework. I don't begrudge it, and neither do I work flat out in the holidays. Today I went into school for GCSE results day, and now I have to input the data so that we can analyse if there is any gender bias, improvement on last year, decline since last year ... then we can plan for next year to ensure results stay good and if possible improve. During the day I mopped up tears (some of joy, some of disappointment, as ever on this kind of day), spoke to parents about 6th forms/colleges, helped hand out the envelopes etc'.

Of course we don't work all summer, but let's face it, it is the ONLY perk of our job. Other graduate careers get company cars, free healthcare, airconditioned working areas (sounds a silly thing but in a heatwave it is no joke!) and annual bonuses; they'll say 'teachers only do it for the hols' whilst driving round in a free, taxed Golf GTI and getting a nice 2-4k 'bonus' every year atop their standard wage. They are also likely to have colleagues who aren't hormonal, won't start their period in the middle of double maths (for the first time and panic), don't cry and swear and fall in love at the drop of a hat, and (mostly) understand about deoderant without having to have a 'little chat' in Personal and Social Development class. They also haven't eaten school dinner off a plastic plate since they were 16. Yes, it is a perk, but people often forget what we don't get 'as standard' that any other professional with a degree would expect.

All jobs have their downsides and perks. Teaching, by the very nature of being a childcare role, has lots of downsides (whether kiddies puking or keeping teens in line) and the holiday is the only formal perk (informal perks are basically a feeling of pride/civic duty).

Answer 5

Yes we do work. There is always something to do and a lot of schools are open in the holidays so that staff can go in. A lot of the preparation that is needed has to be done in the holidays because the 'day to day' aspect of the job creates enough work for each night of the week and the weekend too. Of course, I can't speak for every single teacher but I would say the majority work very hard. The holidays are not the attraction, sounds corny but the kids make the job. What other job changes often on a daily basis, is unpredictable, often hysterical and is constantly evolving and yet very rewarding?

Answer 6

I have taught for close to twenty years. I have never, I repeat never had a 3 month holiday, as you call it. I usually manage to get 3 weeks at the most. I take classes in the time I have off to keep up my certification. I teach remedial students during the summer to help those who don't make it during the regular school year. I work extra jobs during the summer to make up for the pay I don't get during those "holiday" months. A teacher's contract is only for the months worked with students, so who ever told you they were 12 weeks of paid holidays was sadly mistaken. The only paid holidays we get are the regular holidays the rest of the world gets. As far as teachers working hard, we do! I take papers home to grade every night and on weekends. I spend my time off making lesson plans, creating learning games, reading, and getting ideas to help my slow learners as well as motivate my higher kids. People who become teachers, the majority of people that is- do it for one reason- that is to make a positive difference in someones life. If there are those who do it for the "holiday time off", then I am sure they don't last very long, especially when they realize what teaching truly is all about.

Answer 7

Well I am not sure if that break is an asset or not, especially for a beginner teacher. They don't get paid that much to start with and then you are basically unemployed for three months. I don't know, that doesn't sound like a good deal to me. Maybe more experienced teachers get paid more and that compensates for being out of work for three months, but you have to get through the early years first. I know they prepare for the upcoming year and a lot of teachers tutor during the summer to make up for the lost income.

Answer 8

They should do 'some' work. Planning for the next year. Updating old materials. Correcting any prior boo-boos. On the other hand, kids get three months off every year. Everybody needs a break from time to time.
So long as a teacher can properly fulfill their duties then they can have all the time off they desire. By "duties" I mean effectively teaching their students to perform, academically, above average.
A "good teacher" can be defined as one whose students know more than they do at the end of the year. A good teacher should inspire creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to go a step beyond the presented curriculum. If a teacher cannot do this then they either shouldn't be a teacher or they don't deserve any time off until they get it right.

Answer 9

I am an English teacher working overseas, basically I don't do any work as I have two weeks before school starts to plan my curriculum. During the vacation I work with my own children to build up their skills or if need be I might do private lessons but family obligations usually take up all my time and I need some free time to myself to read motivational books so that I am in the right mindset when starting back to school. The reason I stick to this job is it is great for helping my own children for first hand experience and I have vacations times with my kids. Plus overseas its one of the better paying jobs. Also there is the wonderful benefits of having improved a childs' life in personal or educational achievements. There are just many different benefits to working in Education.

Answer 10

Oh yeah! In my state 60 hours of staff development is required. That is the equivalent of taking one class per Summer. A week is spent shutting down the classroom from the previous year and 2 weeks setting up for the next year. We also get out after the kids have done their 36 weeks and start back before they do. Summer gets shorter every year.

If teachers didn't have time off at all, we'd lose our minds. Think about going home each night and worrying about a 7 year old who may or may not have an adult at home that night. Think about a 9 year old who may or may not be fed. These are not kids you see on the news. They're living breathing children that you see every day of your life and you can not fix things for them. It makes you crazy.

Answer 11

Well why would it be unusual to see people studying in the summer? It gives you something to do, prevents you from being bored if you're not going anywhere, and it helps you get prepared for classes when school begins again. It's a smart choice; try it sometime. Not too sure about your school, but it's not necessary to have to study during the summer holidays. Other holidays are torture because our teachers give us so much homework... I have no idea why; even one day holidays can't be enjoyed because of the piles of homework there are (ok I am exaggerating a little =P). I guess they're trying to take advantage of holidays to let people teach themselves things so life won't be so hard for them.