[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by DESS

I don't think a strong or even venomous tone is evidence of trolling.

Agreed.

Bent - I imagine your dad would have then been a workaholic no matter what job he had. That kind of a time commitment is not something that is required of teachers.

People who dedicated their lives to the stewardship and development of our children/youth/young adults know and accept that to be a great teacher one does, in fact, have to do all those extra things. Teachers are there to inspire students to reach for and achieve 'greatness' and it begins through leading by example.

I had two favorite teachers in high school. Both band teachers. One of them was the program founder who has won the Prime Minister's award for teaching (twice, I think...) and has lead his band for 35 years. They compete in international events all over the world and have won international titles. When I was there we went to Japan.

They are the only high school marching program in the country. It is because they organized a parent body to run massive fundraisers to pay for uniforms, equipment, etc etc etc. The program costs approximately $80,000-$120,000 per year to run.

Want to know what the School Board pitches towards that???

$3000

If they enjoy spending their free time enriching themselves and their students as a result, that is wonderful.

It inspired me in ways you cannot imagine.

Again, a lot of people give more than what is required of them to their jobs, but it is not something taxpayers should be expected to compensate them for.

If you begrudge this example for making a paltry 59,000 a year for dedicating his entire life to that band program then why not enlighten us to what you think might be a better figure? Oh, but then there is THIS gem...

I would expect the appreciation they receive from their students is gratitude/compensation enough. If not I don't see why else they would do it.

So maybe he should work for free? Oh hell, maybe everybody who isn't completely miserable with their lives should work for free??? Would that make you feel better?

I really need to find a job like the ones you guys all seem to have.

Then go back to school and get at least a Bachelor degree in something you actually enjoy. Then find a niche and run with it. If you're irreplacable because you're super skilled, educated, AND a pleasant person to be around then generally you don't have to do things like quibble over "minimum vacation time allotments" and all that BS.

The law allows for two weeks off a year for the first five years of employment, topping out at three weeks off a year after five years with the same employer. I believe more than 50% of jobs in Calgary only provide the minimum time off. If anybody could find a stat on this, it would be interesting. I'm not sure where one would go to look.

(http://www.law-faqs.org/wiki/index.php/L-vac-04)
What is the minimum vacation time that I am entitled to as an employee?

The [Employment Standards Code] provides for a minimum of two weeks vacation after 12 months of employment and a minimum of three weeks after five years of employment. Your employer can always agree to give you more than the minimum.


EDIT: And just to clear up a loose end, the other band teacher decided that teaching in a high school wasn't for him anymore, and left to eventually become the entertainment director for the Calgary Stampede. I'm sure he now makes a lot more than 59,000 a year.