Interesting, there's been a lot of people offering their opinions and experiences regarding teaching both from "the inside" and not.
My days typically start at 7:00 when I get to work to prepare, have meetings, whichever. Students get in at 9:00, and I teach from then until 1:00 when it's lunch time, with a 6 minute break each day at around 11:00, though I have to admit, this break is more for students to go and switch their books while I supervise kids that show up in my room right the minute they can anyway.
I have supervision at lunch two out of four possible days a week (Fridays there is no lunch period as the school day is shortened so we can have meetings on various matters). This ends up taking up 20 minutes out of a 40 minute lunch period. One other day a week I donate my entire lunch hour (OK - sorry - being melodramatic - all but 5 minutes of the lunch hour) to run a student group in my classroom that happens to almost always involve planning extracurricular activities. The other lunch period each week I donate to my students to do corrections on tests and quizzes (oops - sorry again - it works out to be only 35 of 40 minutes)
OK - now it's afternoon. Two more classes, from about 1:40 until 3:30. Now, each day, assuming no disasters, I do get one 54 minute period to prepare things. Being a Science teacher, this often involves setting up experiments, lab work, demonstrations, and so on. Marking rarely occurs during this time.
From 3:30-3:45, I spend my time in a hallway on the lower level of the school trying to get approximately 500 students to leave the building in a non-violent, hopefully somewhat organized manner. The hallway is probably 20 feet wide at most, with lockers on both sides.
I happen to have survived to my 4th year teaching. At this point, largely I know what I am doing on a daily basis though I continue to revise my lessons, tests and quizzes, find new assignments, to make sure I'm doing my best to teach these kids what they need to know. What I'm trying to say is - I don't have to start from scratch each day like so many of my colleagues do who are fresh out of University.
I am 'expected', though not paid (more on that later), to coach one extracurricular sport team each year. I get soccer. During soccer months, there is practice for 90 minutes two days a week, and games twice a week (unless we're on our bye week - then only one!) for about 2 months. Half of our games are away, so that often involves getting 16 young men to another school which might be anywhere from 1-5km away.
These days, since I've taken on the "Learning Leader" title, I've found most of my prep time at work is taken up with various administrative functions ... my marking has been happening at home but that's fine ... I can usually get big chunks of it done while the Flames are on.
All this being said, I largely knew what I was getting into when I signed up for the job and agreed to it, pros and cons. I love my job though that doesn't mean I think it's easy (it IS getting easier, however) ... the summers are nice, no doubt, as is getting all of my breaks each year at those times where people want them most. I have no problems with my pay and understand with all the benefits I get (health, dental, vacation time, job security, pension) my earning potential will be less than many. No biggie. I make enough money - Alberta is actually a pretty good place to be a teacher.
In addition, all those who are saying we have it so easy because we get paid to work so little are indirectly correct. I get paid only for the hours where I am teaching, so yes, I do get paid my salary for about 25 hours of work per week. I don't get paid for lunch ... even for my prep where I am doing work and everything I do is technically property of the CBE. I don't get paid to coach or supervise those two days a week or organize my club. A fine distinction, I suppose
Another fine distinction, I suppose, is that I don't get paid for the summer (technically), though I do get 12 paycheques a year.
One thing I've raised in these topics from time to time is the idea of the actual work done at work. Interesting to see that many of the "teachers suck" people posting during working hours which I do not often get to do. I've never had someone respond to this point - basically every minute I spend at work is working. I can't go to the bathroom whenever I feel like it. I can't take a quick 5 to speak to my buddy. Some days I barely even interact with another adult.
Clarkey - I know you meant no malice - but I am getting to the point where I am looking for every possible opportunity to improve efficiency and I just can't find them. There just is not as much downtime as you seem to think there is, though I don't fault you for the misconception.
Listen, I'm not saying there aren't bad teachers because there are, but I don't think there are as many as some on here would suggest.