half-time contract

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Home : 2003 : January : 22

half-time contract
By Julianne

Our district (and others in our area) offer half-time contract positions. Basically I share one full time teaching position with a partner. We each receive half pay, half benefits (can buy the other half if we want to)
and must attend half of all the meetings, etc. In theory we are both working half time. In practice we both work about three quarters time. We both attend parent/teacher conferences, faculty meetings and large events like field trips. But I love sharing a contract for many reasons. Recently my health has not been good. My partner was able to fill in for me when I went in for surgery.

I didn't have to catch my kids back up when I returned. It also helps to have another teacher to bounce ideas off of, especially because we know the same kids. We decide together what is good for students, sort of like having two parents. As to getting lost in the part-time jungle - I agree with the above post. You're developing skills and creating a presence for yourself in your school. I would bet that if you wanted to go back to full time work it would be easier than you believe. I moved from non-contract to contract work and could now move to a full time contract if I wished. That's written into our agreement with the district, but it is also a fact of my principal knowing what kind of teacher I am.

How about talking this situation over with the person offering you the part time position. Express your concerns about being "labeled" as part time forever. Explain that at some point in the future you will want to be full time. See what you get in return. You may be pleasantly surprised.