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canrun30
Joined: 03 Oct 2012 Posts: 116
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:47 am Post subject: Making up classes for Oct. 1 holiday |
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My university gets a total of three days off, the 1st-3rd. S--ks. Anyhow, students are coming up to me left and right asking me to re-schedule classes so that they can have five full days off. I'm not getting paid to do that, nor do I have extra time in my schedule.
What would you say to students who ask you to do such a thing? Just curious...
They'd never ask a teacher to do this "back home." Common practice here? Unpaid, extra classes? |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:59 am Post subject: |
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Only three days? Every place I've ever been it's 8 to 10 days.
I wouldn't do it if I'm not getting paid for it.
Tell them the college won't allow it. End of discussion. |
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canrun30
Joined: 03 Oct 2012 Posts: 116
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 5:14 am Post subject: |
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Other teachers are doing it, so it makes me look bad. I hate being put into this position in the first place. |
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Javelin of Radiance

Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 5:30 am Post subject: |
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"Reschedule" doesn't mean more work, it just means move work around. If the students want to reschedule classes to get more days off (happens all the time here) and you won't be working any more classes than you normally would then why not do it? Some of these kids don't get home very often and they might need the extra time. I know some teachers just cancel these makeup classes outright and start fresh again after the holidays.
Because of my current timetable I've got 11 or 12 days off. Don't know why your university is only giving three days off. You sure you understand the holiday timetable correctly? |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 5:58 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
"Reschedule" doesn't mean more work, it just means move work around. |
Oh, yeah, I didn't see that; "only three days off" "more work, no pay" jumped out at me.
AND, if you reschedule, you also get five days off.
Probably best to get the administration's approval first, though. |
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canrun30
Joined: 03 Oct 2012 Posts: 116
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Yes, schedule understood. Work the 30th; work the 4th.
I clearly told the students they could ask for leave; I am not coming in to work on, say, the 6th to make up classes. I think it's insane other teachers are willing to do this. They aren't paid...nor are they Lei Feng. What am I missing here?? (Asked honestly...no snark.) |
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doogsville
Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:18 am Post subject: |
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canrun30 wrote: |
Yes, schedule understood. Work the 30th; work the 4th.
I clearly told the students they could ask for leave; I am not coming in to work on, say, the 6th to make up classes. I think it's insane other teachers are willing to do this. They aren't paid...nor are they Lei Feng. What am I missing here?? (Asked honestly...no snark.) |
You don't need to make up the classes on the 6th, you could make them up any time. The point is, if you reschedule the class, then you will get paid, you'll just be doing the work at a different time to the time you were paid for. Don't you want a few extra days off? If you schedule the classes for later in the semester, then have them on a day you already have class, then you just have to work an extra hour or two for each one. You will have a longer holiday and won't lose any money and all for the sake of adding one class a day to a time of your choosing in the future. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:44 am Post subject: |
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doogsville wrote: |
canrun30 wrote: |
Yes, schedule understood. Work the 30th; work the 4th.
I clearly told the students they could ask for leave; I am not coming in to work on, say, the 6th to make up classes. I think it's insane other teachers are willing to do this. They aren't paid...nor are they Lei Feng. What am I missing here?? (Asked honestly...no snark.) |
You don't need to make up the classes on the 6th, you could make them up any time. The point is, if you reschedule the class, then you will get paid, you'll just be doing the work at a different time to the time you were paid for. Don't you want a few extra days off? If you schedule the classes for later in the semester, then have them on a day you already have class, then you just have to work an extra hour or two for each one. You will have a longer holiday and won't lose any money and all for the sake of adding one class a day to a time of your choosing in the future. |
Exactly!
If your students aren't in class then neither are you. You're doing a bunch of rescheduling to get your 3 days, just do a bit more.
Teaching Affairs or FAO should be in the loop though. In fact they should have been the first port of call for the students. |
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canrun30
Joined: 03 Oct 2012 Posts: 116
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
In fact they should have been the first port of call for the students. |
They were not. I'm a new teacher at this university, and had no idea this was/is an option. I'm overwhelmed by the lack of direction/guidance given to me as it is, let alone having this sprung on me by students at the last minute. Thus, I just said bollocks it all, I'll mark you present...we'll have class as usual. My in-laws are coming regardless...I'll want to be out of the house all the same. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:59 am Post subject: |
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Yes. It isn't a good look for students to be approaching you about rescheduling. That is regardless of other personal issues and events.
Actually I've never heard of this before although the rescheduling question comes up every year when newbs hit that first September holiday. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:14 am Post subject: |
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[/quote]I'm overwhelmed by the lack of direction/guidance given to me as it is[quote]
Prepare to be underwhelmed; last minute ANYTHING is very common here. The good news is you'll come to expect it and when it doesn't happen you'll be pleasantly surprised. |
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chinatimes
Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 478
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:50 am Post subject: |
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As a general rule of thumb, agree to make it up later. If you think of getting things done early in hopes of a longer break later, then the school is likely to pile on more work for you to do. |
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teachingld2004
Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 389
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:10 am Post subject: otober |
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Let them have the days of. I never make up days, I just add 5 minutes before the class, stay 5 minutes later, do not give a break or give a 5 minute break. There are always ways to make up the time.
And welcome to China, the land where they tell you (or do not tell u) things at the spur of the moment. I have learned to "go with the flow", and I have learned to say "no". I have also learned to say "yes" with a smile.
Pick your battles. As a new teacher this one is easy.
And don't you also want the time off? If al the other teachers are willing to fix the times, you should do it too. talk to them about it.
Or do as I do, extend class and take away breaks. the students love it and it is easy to do. |
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canrun30
Joined: 03 Oct 2012 Posts: 116
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
And don't you also want the time off? |
Sure, I would. But...this is six hours of classes on Monday and six hours of classes on Friday. No way on earth I could make up all of these classes.
Ack. I just told 'em no, and I would mark them present and give them any missed assignments. Hate being put in this position! "Bad teacher, bad teacher...the other teachers make up the classes!"
Well, I'm new...no one bothered to tell me this was the M.O. Rat petards! |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Tell them you're busy travelling in the holidays.
Also tell them that you'll talk directly to them, not the admin, tell the students if they tell the FAO she'll give them more classes and they won't get 5 days off.
Go through the students, the FAO will be none the wiser if the students are smart.
OR, say the class for them is 'self evaluation or self study' and they make up that class taking an exam you publish online or they can go to the classroom themselves....without you there. |
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