Wednesday, December 19, 2018

A Bonus Day


In a typical six-period school day, I cover five classes and have one period off. However, lately, more often than not, I'm asked to cover a class for that conference period.

Don't worry. I do get paid for this. In fact, once I've covered enough "extra" periods to equal hours in a day, I get paid a "bonus" day.

It was Tuesday. I was covering an English class. And, for the first time in a week and a half, I was looking forward to a prep period.

I had had days where the teacher doesn't have a prep period (they get paid for that extra hour, too) and days where I had been asked to cover a different class. I also had a day where I got off early as the teacher's prep period is the last period of the day. Getting out early is nice, but I don't get that break.

I was itching for a day to just sit for an hour. (And read blogs. Seriously, I usually spend prep periods caching up on emails and blogs.)

"My" prep period was fifth period. I had logged onto the computer and had answered a couple emails. Then the phone rang.

I cursed out loud.

I checked the caller ID. It was her. The secretary in charge of subs. I considered not answering...

It turned out she was looking for the co-teacher's sub from the previous period. Whew. I didn't know where he was, but at least she wasn't looking for me.

But then she called right back. I had a prep. Could I cover an extra period...?

I swore aloud again. After I hung up the phone.

It wasn't a hard period. Geography. One student "performed" for the class. (An email all about him to his teacher garnered a response of "he just returned from a classroom suspension for just that behavior" and the teacher would deal with him.)

It was just that I was looking forward to a period off. Sigh.

On the bright side, that was the last period I needed to complete a bonus day. So, feel free to chide me for moaning and complaining about it.

(I did not get a prep period at all last week. Sigh. That's what happens during the busy time. So, as of "press time", I have a day and a half of "bonus" pay for the month.)

10 comments:

  1. When do you get to go to the bathroom?!

    A Dr. once said that teachers have the worst bladders. Too many hours just "holding it."

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    Replies
    1. Snack break and lunch break. We get a break every 2-3 hours.

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  2. That does suck when you're planning on some down time and it just doesn't happen. Besides, I can't imagine dealing with kids for six-seven hours straight without a mental break.

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  3. Ah, I feel you. I get those times when you're really looking forward to taking a break and something else swoops in to take that up. Glad you earned your bonus day, though.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's the worst when I think I'm going to get it, and then I get a call at that last minute.

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  4. Complain all you want! It can be so exhausting when you don't have time to just sit and rest for a little while.

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  5. But perhaps it is good this time of year to be so busy with work in case you need some extra holiday money?

    betty

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  6. Pretty sweet perks! But I won't deride you as I'm living the life of a house cat, basically. ~grin~ Early retirement has been so awesome. Take care!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. (And as of right now, I just got my second bonus day for the month. Woo hoo!)

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