How many hours do teachers work?
Most teachers work over 40-hours per week including class time, parent conferencing, curriculum preparation and grading. However, over 12 weeks of paid vacation per year brings yearly hours down to below those worked by the average full-time worker. Vacation time provides teachers with opportunities to teach summer sessions, take other jobs, travel or pursue other personal interests. Many enroll in college courses or continuing education workshops.
Teachers often leave school at 3:30, which sounds like a pretty great schedule to most of us. However, a 40-hour work week is common, including class time, preparation and correction. Teachers are also responsible for parent/teacher conferences and other extra-curricular activities. On the other hand, school teachers have more time off than just about any other worker in the U.S. They get a mid-winter break, spring break and summers off—in addition to all scheduled holidays. All this time off provides teachers with well-deserved breaks during which they can “recharge their batteries.” But some teachers use that time to teach summer classes or take other jobs to supplement their income, travel, or pursue other personal interests. Many also enroll in college courses or teacher continuing education to keep their skills sharp or advance their careers. The amount of time off—and what you choose to do with it—is one of the truly great perks of being a teacher.
