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Some teachers may get a duty free lunch

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GoodWitch58

Beach Fanatic
according to WZEP News, the local teachers' union is bargaining for teachers to have 30 minutes each day duty free (no students to watch) for lunch. Some do not have that now.

The mediation also ended with an agreement that the teachers will have a 30 minute duty free lunch. What this means is that a teacher will have an entire 30 minutes to take lunch without having the responsibility of students. Currently, there are some situations where a teacher has to escort students to the lunch room and possibly monitor or escort them back later. This can mean the teacher does not have a full 30 minutes for lunch. The item is being considered in a number of district negotiations.
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So, who thinks this is fair labor activity? How would you like to spend from 7:30a.m. to 2:30 pm. with a room full of 7 or 8 year olds...and no time for lunch or the restroom? Maybe a planning period, but that is not down time, but work.

Not what most of us think of when we think of work rules, I bet.
 
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What percentage of teachers do not get a lunch break? And how many of those do not get one every day?

Is this an occasional thing because of rotating responsibilities, or are we truly starving teachers?

Sorry to be so unsympathetic, but I think when you actually break it down you will find teachers do far better than most workers with their 15 minute breaks for every 4 hours worked.

I didn't get a 30 minute lunch as a student. I frequently had school activities during my lunch hour. I didn't get a "planning period" and was expected to use the restroom between classes or before/after school. And my school "day" sometimes started at 5:30 am and ended at 6 (with non-teacher coaches or teachers paid extra), not the 7:30-2:30 described.

My teachers never had a problem using their planning periods for a variety of things.

And some teachers do not have a problem eating during regular classes based on what I am hearing from some local students.
 
I have no idea what the numbers are; maybe we can hear from some teachers or spouses of teachers. I do have some first hand information...and lunch is not a "free time" for those I know about. I had lunch with my granddaughter yesterday and believe me the teachers on "lunch duty" have their hands full.

No, I do not think we are "starving teachers," but to be responsible for teaching 18-25 students for an entire day without a break to clear one's head, is too much in my experience. I believe everyone needs a few minutes during the day to get away from the students and the work. IMO both the students and the teacher benefit. Comparing classroom teachers to workers who get 15 minute breaks is not a valid comparison...it takes a different kind of energy to teach a class...than it does to do most anything else.
Obviously, from the news item, it is a local issue, but I have no idea how much of one.
 
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I agree they need a break - which is why they have a planning period - often used for smoke breaks, coffee, you name it.

I was comparing it to other workers' breaks because you did.
 
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Glenda Wood said:
according to WZEP News, the local teachers' union is bargaining for teachers to have 30 minutes each day duty free (no students to watch) for lunch. Some do not have that now.



So, who thinks this is fair labor activity? How would you like to spend from 7:30a.m. to 2:30 pm. with a room full of 7 or 8 year olds...and no time for lunch or the restroom? Maybe a planning period, but that is not down time, but work.

Not what most of us think of when we think of work rules, I bet.
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Rediculous. What a waste of time a resources. Do we need to wipe their butts after they go to the potty too?
 
scooterbug44 said:
What percentage of teachers do not get a lunch break? And how many of those do not get one every day?

Is this an occasional thing because of rotating responsibilities, or are we truly starving teachers?

Sorry to be so unsympathetic, but I think when you actually break it down you will find teachers do far better than most workers with their 15 minute breaks for every 4 hours worked.

I didn't get a 30 minute lunch as a student. I frequently had school activities during my lunch hour. I didn't get a "planning period" and was expected to use the restroom between classes or before/after school. And my school "day" sometimes started at 5:30 am and ended at 6 (with non-teacher coaches or teachers paid extra), not the 7:30-2:30 described.

My teachers never had a problem using their planning periods for a variety of things.

And some teachers do not have a problem eating during regular classes based on what I am hearing from some local students.
Click to expand...
are you a teacher?
 
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