Plan time

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Plan time
By JES

I am sorry you are having such a difficult time. I think it it's the lack of plan time that bothers you so much as the apparent inequity in your building. Some people consistantly get more plan time while others (namely
you) consistantly get less. That's not fair, and it hurts. Here's the way it is at my school.
I work in a wonderful district, have a terrific school, an outstanding principal, a supportive group of teachers, and I absolutely adore both my students and teaching, but . . . . .
This year we were forced (because of scheduling computer times, library visits, art and music classes, PE,

and even lunch time) to go to a six-day rotation. School begins at 8:40, and all my specials start at 8:45. That creates something of a time crunch for us, but we are managing quite well because one of my students has a paraprofessional who pitches in to help us with morning rituals.

Now here is the bad part: Five days out of six my students return to me from specials at 9:30, and that's it for me for the whole day--no other breaks except lunch of course. You can hardly call lunch plan time. The sixth day my students have art class which lasts until 10:15. I live for that day when I have a ninety-minute plan time.

I do what I have to do, and it's a whole lot easier because all our teachers are in the same boat. I guess my point is that moving to another district because you feel you don't have enough plan time would be futile. However, if you feel treatment is truly unfair and you are not valued, then considering a move may be a solution to your problem.

Good luck in whatever decision you make, and try to think on of all the wonderful things you love about teaching. Sadly, life's not fair.
JES