Part time

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Home : 2003 : January : 24

Part time
By Sue

Our southern Minnesota district has a history of part time positions. We used to have several very small elementaries and it started out with people being half time teachers/half time principals, so another half was needed.
It progressed to half time district responsibilites such as being a staff development trainer or gifted/talented coordinator. In the '70s some young teachers with small children presented the case of sharing a classroom to the school board and were allowed to give it a try with success. When my third child was born, I asked for the option and was told to go ahead, but not to expect

to be placed back on full time, they would make no guaratees, but almost without exception the half-timers returned to full time as their children got older. I feel so lucky to have had that time with my kids when they were small. Administrators were supportive, stating that they usually felt they got 1 1/2 time for the price of 1. Our union negotiators helped make sure our rights were upheld. We recieved one step up on the salary schedule each year, but only moved up one half year in seniority. Check out the contract where you would like to work. We recieved half of the health insurance contribution of full time teachers, but since we were required to attend all meeting and curriculum days we were paid for any of those extra hours expected of us. These half time positions were clearly morning/afternoon so we were responsible for our half of the curriculum. A new development is a shared week, that works well for some. One teacher works Monday through Wednesday morning, the other comes in Wednesday afternoon through Friday, but they need compatible styles and true confidence in each other. Right now I am working a 0.78 contract, with Title I, which gives me full benefits. It is great. I can drop off my son at his school and be out to pick him up at the end of the day, without many of the extra jobs of full time classroom teachers. The real extra perk is that the second half of the year I work 4 days a week with Friday's off! I understand your concern about being taken seriously as a teacher and wanting to have the option of full time in the future. What matters most is the NOW, when your child is small. I don't know about your area, but around here many of the teachers are nearing retirement and the demand for good, experienced teachers will provide more opportunites in the next few years. Good luck!