Teachers... what should I do?

I'm a new teacher (started in Nov, NYC BOE)and my AP asked if I was interested in attending some workshop. I was ok with and actually interested (since I am new) but then she said it is 4 days during the feb break. WHAT? I really don't want to spend 4 of my days of my vacation at a workshop. I feel so burnt as it is and still have so much to do. On top of that I am assuming its going to be in brooklyn (like most of the worskshops) and I HAVE NEVER driven into brooklyn or been on the train/subway by myself.. I will freak out.

I told her I would let her know

Now I feel like I HAVE TO say yes...

Teachers out there... what do you think I should do? I need advice.

It is one thing when a principal asks you to go to a workshop during school hours, but it is a whole different story when it is on your time. I would tell her that you had something planned. This happened to me once (a saturday though) and i felt so upset. i was put on the spot and nervous about what was expected of me. I went in the next day and said FH had secretly booked a trip to AC to surprise me and he told me when I mentioned the workshop. It ended up being fine, she didn't seem to care.

Good luck!!!

i mean im not a teacher yet, in school to be one...but i would take a look at the workshop, find out about it...you could always play off oh i will see what i can do i already todl my brother i would take his kids for the week in order to find out where its going to be...how long it will be

If it's something i am really interested in i would consider it....if you are that burnt out, i would play the i already booked myself up,but let me know about the next one??

I'm a teacher and I feel that at this point in my career, anything the principal asks of me I do! I'm not tenured and ultimately the principal is the one that does the hiring!

So if it were me, I'd go!

Coming from a NYC AP, just tell her that youre sorry, something came up, lots of wedding appointments and you wont be able to make it - tell her that if there are any over the summer, that would more feasible for you

'nuff said

ETA - Believe me, when I ask a teacher to go, it is usually because i think they might be interested, when i RECOMMEND a teacher to go, its because she / he needs assistance in that area. Either way, its not mandatory so you cannot be forced to go, and the administration doesnt get anything if you do, other than a teacher with some more information and/or enthusiasm to continue to learn. Go if you can, dont go if you cant

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Posted by Snowflake08

Coming from a NYC AP, just tell her that youre sorry, something came up, lots of wedding appointments and you wont be able to make it - tell her that if there are any over the summer, that would more feasible for you

'nuff said...
Go if you can, dont go if you cant

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Well said!

But in case you're stuck going... HopStop.com can get you from one point in NYC to any other point within the city limits via public transportation. If you live in Nassau, the $$ difference btw paying for parking in NYC and paying for the LIRR and a Metrocard is negligible. And I think they have to pay you per session b/c you're working after contractual hours.

Find out if you're getting paid to go. A lot of these workshops pay you $37 an hour to be there(really!) and if you're there for 4 days - that's over $600 after taxes. I've gone to a bunch over different summer vacations, and yeah it sucked losing out on vacation time, but... $37 an hour? To sit in a workshop and make charts on big paper about 'Jose's trip to the supermarket' or some such nonsense? Totally worth it.

If it's unpaid, 4 days is a RIDICULOUS amount of time to ask someone to give up for February break and I'm sure your AP won't mind if you say you have other obligations. It's only 7 weeks away - you could definitely have made tons of other plans.

thanks girls.


I am going to find out if it is paid. I am interested in going but its vacation... haha... Ill let you know what i decide!