How it works here

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Home : 2002 : January : 13

How it works here
By Julianne

To answer some of your questions: My district accepts job shares as a normal situation. We are considered "half time contract teachers" and receive exactly half of everything, including benefits. We can pay the extra to
receive full benefits if we want them. The district announces job vacancies for half time positions just as they would for full time jobs. The only difference is that the first teacher in a job share has a say in who is hired.
The two teachers then decide on an equitable way of dividing the work and present it to their principal. Typically in elementary classrooms one teacher works

mornings, the other afternoons. In secondary situations they may choose to divide it differently. Absences can be handled as a full time teacher would, by calling for a sub, or you can request your partner to take over and "pay back" the time at a later date. My partner and I usually do that if possible.

Many teachers begin job sharing because of family obligations. That's why I started doing it. I had three school aged children and wanted to work less than full time. Now that my kids are nearly out of the house (14, 16 and 18) I keep doing it because of a health issue and because it allows me time at home to do the things that wouldn't get done if both my husband and I worked full time.

For those interested in starting a job share you should probably start with your district's personnel department. Ask them what is possible and if anyone else in the district shares. If you live in a big city, check all the districts. My district allows and even encourages sharing, but the district where my children attend isn't so generous. If your district is agreeable ask them first for names of teachers that might want to share. If they can't provide that, you can start in your own school and ask around. Often there's another teacher who would dearly love to job share, but they didn't know it was possible, or couldn't find an acceptable partner. Since my current partner may not be financially able to share again next year I've been approached by two other teachers in my school who would love to take her place!

I'd be happy to answer specific questions by e-mail. This is a topic that comes up from time to time on this board, but few individuals seem to have experience in it.