Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Summer in Education

    Posted 06-06-2019 12:42 AM
    As a family child care provider I do not tend to get a summer vacation due to the clients I serve. But I was wondering if educators find summer vacations beneficial for themselves and the children or is it something that needs to be changed.

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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  • 2.  RE: Summer in Education

    Posted 06-06-2019 06:31 AM
    I have worked in both types of teacher settings where I have had my summer's off verses working year around.  I loved having my summers off, however, one does not get paid for that time.  I think as an early childhood educator that works year around must take some time off for them selves for at least one week twice a year.  This helps you take care of yourself.  You can not take care of anyone else if you do not take care of your self first.  It's not a selfish thing to do so.  One must be healthy in order to help those kido's and  be a support to fellow teachers.  As a  New director,  I work 10-12 hours per day usually and am learning to take comp time because of the load that it puts on one person.  My big advice is TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST!  IT'S MUCH NEEDED.

    Becky Warthan
    Director, CVB

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    Rebecca Warthan
    Director
    Children's Village Bloomington
    Bloomington IN
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  • 3.  RE: Summer in Education

    Posted 06-10-2019 12:16 AM
    I too worked myself too hard when I opened my in home preschool business. I have modified my hours for this upcoming year so that I have more time for my family and to take care of myself. But, it took a lot to get past the guilt of thinking of myself for once and just not what my clients needed. I do feel my business will do much better because of my shorter hours. But as someone who loved the idea of year round school and knows the negatives of children being out of school so much I keep wondering if more time spread out during the  year would be helpful for the teachers or if it still leads to the same amount of teacher burn out. 

    Family Child Care providers suffer from tons of burn out because we wear so many hats.

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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  • 4.  RE: Summer in Education

    Posted 06-07-2019 03:08 PM
    For the first ten years my career, I did not have a summer vacation.  I was paid hourly and in order to get paid I had to work year round.  Over the last seven years, I have worked for three different programs which all made it possible for me to be salaried and paid evenly throughout the year while getting a summer vacation.  At the first of these three schools, teachers worked mid-August through mid-June and could choose to be paid their salary over 10 months or 12 months (I chose 12 as that is easier for me to budget, personally).  At the second of these three schools, teachers worked mid-August through mid-June for a 12 month salary and there was an option to work summer camp for extra pay.  Having time off in the summer is amazing for my own self-renewal and re-connection with nature and my family.  So when I negotiated at my current job, I deliberately negotiated for a 12 month salary.  I have the month of June completely off work, work three days a week in July, and go back to full time work in August.  I cannot imagine going back to being paid hourly or not getting time off in the summer at this point and recommend everyone do what they can to make this happen for themselves!

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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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