c'mon now boys wrote:
Yeah, I'd say a teacher of any kind. I'd be ecstatic to have >4 months off per year, get out of work at 3 pm and collect a healthy paycheck, pension and benefits for life. Oh yeah, throw in absolutely no accountability for your work and tenure to boot! What a farce of a job.
I have to agree. I'm a teacher and I couldn't imagine being happier. I do, however, have a few points for you should you ever find yourself face to face with a teacher and feel the urge to express your beliefs.
">4 months off per year"
My summer vacation is approximately 2 months this year. I received one business week for christmas. I will spend 3 and a half weeks of my summer teaching, one and a half in professional development. I may take about a week of what you and I would consider "vacation." I assure you that my remaining "free time" will be spent preparing for the upcoming school year. The fact that someone willingly spends time at work in July and August doesn't give them moral superiority over someone. It just means you're out of the heat.
"get out of work at 3 pm"
I think working 7 to 3 is as many hours as 9 to 5. Not sure, I don't teach math. Track practice ends at 6. I eat my lunch over my only 25 minute break surrounded by 7th graders though! Oh and two nights a week I tutor for an hour and a half. Two hours on Sunday too, come to think of it.
"collect a healthy paycheck, pension, and benefits for life"
I suppose if you consider that my salary, which is payed out over 12 months, is technically for 10 months of work, then it's a lot of money relatively speaking. I mean sure, if I was paid 120% of my salary that would sure be healthy. As is often the case, however, I'm only paid 100% of my salary. Not many places hire people for July and August. It's too hot, nobody goes outside.
"throw in no accountability for your work"
I'm accountable to every one of my students. Academically, professionally, personally.
Since I teach an elective I have to validate my existence pretty regularly lest my course not be offered. I'd hate to have to go through what the core subject teachers have to go through though.
Oh I'm also observed directly the principal, who is in effect my boss. I guess it happens to most people when they're at work that their boss comes and silently watches them do their business for an hour and a half without comment.
"and tenure to boot!"
And tenure to boot indeed! I could be wrong, but I don't think you thoroughly understand what that word means in this context. Your homework is to find out exactly what it means for a teacher to have tenure.
I hope I have succeeded in broadening your perspective.
PS
"What a farce of a job."
I suppose there are more serious and dignified professions devoted to preserving and sharing the collective thoughts and achievements of mankind with young people, but if it wasn't such a farce it wouldn't be so much fun.