I can retire (30 years) in two years. I'll be 62. Do I and why/why not?

[Woody01]

Get out now....and do not get back into teaching. Go do what your dream was before teaching. Did you want to travel? Play music, paint? Work on classic cars, visit all the National Parks?

Do these while you can and forget about the $$..as the old saying goes - "money is a renewable resource, time is not"

[lhpartridge]

Originally Posted by lhpartridge

That's one of the things that I hate about the series Abbott Elementary. They are always leaving their children alone. The other thing is that they leave school for lunch.

In my experience, I've very rarely had a duty-free lunch. In the schools where I've taught, the administration required teachers to accompany their students to the lunchroom when called or at an appointed time during class, remain with them in line, sit at the table with them or just opposite to monitor behavior and ensure that they didn't leave without permission, ensure that the table was clean and monitor them on the way back to the classroom, with the teacher having the option to take their class by the restrooms on the way back to resume instruction. Teachers who needed to go themselves had to find a staff member to supervise for the few minutes that it took.

This is apparently not the norm in states where unions negotiate contracts, but it was the norm in the urban district where I taught for decades.

I meant to add that this was in high school.

[Coney]

Originally Posted by Wile E. Coyote

This is so interesting. I had never thought of these issues. They ought to put a single bathroom in each classroom (for use by students and teachers). It could be used primarily before and after class (otherwise I could see how that would be entirely disruptive in and of itself).

Of course, it really begs the question regarding remote learning. It's possibly more comfortable for all concerned. I realize there are no easy solutions.

Some kindergartens have bathrooms in the room, especially in the older buildings. I've known teachers who were in a rush and would use them too when the students were not in the classroom. Usually, the toilets are child-sized. The reverse is also an uncomfortable experience when the teacher or classroom aide has to lift a small child on to the toilet. Then there is the sink issue when the sinks are too high for little kids and you have to assist with soap and paper towels.

A kindergarten teacher could not use the classroom bathroom if the class was in the room. Not supervising your class will get a letter in your file and you are prohibited from leaving the room for any reason.

As you can see, early childhood teachers have an extra physically demanding job.

[NeedSun25]

To the gentleman who was asking about teaching into his 80s-please don't. Just please, please, don't.