LESSON PLAN
Subject: Teachers
Grade: Post-Baccalaureate
Topic: Teachers v. Working Stiffs
___________________________________________________________
Goals:
Upon finishing this post readers will understand that Teachers do not have it as bad as they advertise. Readers will be able to compare and contrast the differences in a Teacher’s Quality of Life (QOL) and the average Working Stiff’s QOL.
Objectives:
Reader’s will have the ability to take said knowledge into any discussion with one of the many millions of Teacher’s who claim their job is more stressful than it really is. If a Reader finds themselves in a situation where a Teacher is acting as though their job is incredibly grueling they will have the ability to prove them incorrect.
Materials:
- Reader’s current job’s Human Resources Handbook
- Calendar
- Index Finger (Nonverbally used for stern and emphatic pointing)
Introduction:
The Reader’s will begin this blog with a basic understanding of a Teacher’s work schedule and a thorough understanding of their own. After which a basic Compare and Contrast module of learning will be used.
Development:
Teacher’s Annual Time Off: Approximately 11 Weeks
Working Stiff’s Time Off: Approximately 3 Weeks
Advantage: Teachers
Teacher’s Work Schedule: +/- 7:00 – 3:30
Working Stiff’s Time Off: +/- 9:00 – 5:00
Note: Although the hours may seem to be about even the fact that a Teacher’s day ends much earlier gives them a distinct advantage.
Advantage: Teachers
Teacher’s Biggest Complaint: “I have sooo much work to do when I get home. Lesson Plan’s and Tests to grade. Teacher’s take their work home with them!”
Working Stiff’s Biggest Complaint: “My boss is riding my ass right now because if I don’t get this proposal done by noon I’m going to lose the company millions and be fired on the spot since I don’t have union protection.”
Advantage: Teachers
Teacher’s Annual Salary: $45,000 – (dependant on Education)
Working Stiff’s Annual Salary: $45,000 – (Probably a higher ceiling than a Teacher’s in most industries)
Advantage: Working Stiff
Teacher’s Benefits: Union protection, Job security, Tremendous Health Benefits, Summer’s off
Working Stiff’s Benefits: 45 minute lunch break, Average Health Benefits, Possibly MLK Day off
Advantage: Teachers
Teacher’s Annual Workload: 10 months
Working Stiff’s Annual Workload: 12 months
Advantage: Teachers
Practice:
The Readers will guide themselves through the above “Development” stage of the Lesson Plan and come to a basic understanding of the topic at hand.
Accommodations:
When the scenario arises and a Teacher begins to gripe with a Working Stiff the Working Stiff will be able to choose whether to use the facts stated previously or not to use them. The Teacher will most likely get defensive and the debate may end on a bad note. If said debate ends on a bad note it’s best to simply have an index card handy with the web address of this blog. It may also prove helpful if you simply to say to them, “Don’t worry you have all summer to sit on the beach and stew over how rough you got it!”
September 11, 2010
August 12, 2010
5 Things To Think About
1) If you don’t believe in god and you put your hand on the bible and “swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me god” (or whatever the actual line is) then do you have to tell the truth? If we’re gonna stick with that routine shouldn’t the bible be replaced by the Constitution or something more concrete/factual?2) While we’re at it - Are we still Pledging Allegiance under god? I think that needs to be updated once again. Let’s just pledge our allegiance to the flag and the country. No need to incorporate religion.
3) Don’t be the person to tell someone who just lost their loved one that “they are in a better place now.” I know you mean well but think about that for a second. I tend to have the opinion that the best place to be is alive and with your family but call me crazy.
4) Why is it so hard to believe we’re not the only planet with life on it? We live in outer space. We have UFO’s too only we call them Space Shuttles and give them catchy names. The Solar System is infinite (I guess. That’s for a future blog) and there are billions upon billions of stars. You think there’s only one sun and we’re the only planet that can have life on it? Think again.
5) If Perception is reality – and it most certainly is – than is there such thing as reality? Think about it.
August 9, 2010
A Society of Social Pricks
Everyone who knows me knows I’m a sucker for a good list. The following list is put together with the intent to enhance the social-etiquette of what is increasingly becoming a Society of Selfish Pricks…
1 – Don’t be the schmuck at the restaurant who waves down their server. I don’t care how long its been since they’ve been over to stroke your ego and check on your Chilean Sea Bass. Don’t do it. If you must signal the server give a head nod or a simple eyebrow signal. Keep your hands to yourself.
2 – If I’m going to hold the door for you and your wife than have the courtesy to hold it for me as I follow you in. And while we’re talking about doors – If you are leaving somewhere don’t just open the door and continue on as the door closes behind you. Hold onto the door long enough (which is about 1 second) to peak around your shoulder to make sure no one is following behind and thus gets up close and personal with a window pane.
3 – If you pass by a cop in the midst of a speed trap then do us all a favor and give us the ole’ flashing of the brights a couple times. Would it really kill ya’ to help out another driver?
4 – While we’re at it, thank me for letting you merge into traffic. Even if you don’t mean it. Just put your damn hand up so I can see it. This way I don’t think I just helped a jackass.
5 – This one’s a reach to the miserly ones out there but I’ll give it a shot. If you’re picking up food from a counter and there is a tip jar then throw your change in. The 47 cents isn’t going to do you any good so just throw it in the jar. If for no other reason it makes you look good, ironically a selfish move in and of itself but is allowed in this instance. I think my female readers may disagree with me on this one since they tend to hoard their change like monkey’s hoard mangos.
6 – Here’s another reach. In fact, I’m willing to bet I may be in the vast minority on this one. However, that doesn’t make me wrong. You’re at a gas station. It’s packed. There is one guy running around (ok fine, walking around) trying to get to each car and fill up your SUV gas guzzlers. Each driver thinks they deserve to be tended to first since we’re talking about Selfish Pricks in the first place. Do the guy a favor and attempt to pump your own gas. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do. If you get the sense the attendant doesn’t want you too then fine. Head back into the safety blanket that is your Range Rover. I’ve noticed for the most part they appreciate the help and simply give you the nonverbal “thanks”. I’ve also seen when they don’t want you anywhere near the pump as well. In this case, like I said, at least you tried to help. Maybe someone will have seen it and will “Pay it forward” as they say.
1 – Don’t be the schmuck at the restaurant who waves down their server. I don’t care how long its been since they’ve been over to stroke your ego and check on your Chilean Sea Bass. Don’t do it. If you must signal the server give a head nod or a simple eyebrow signal. Keep your hands to yourself.
2 – If I’m going to hold the door for you and your wife than have the courtesy to hold it for me as I follow you in. And while we’re talking about doors – If you are leaving somewhere don’t just open the door and continue on as the door closes behind you. Hold onto the door long enough (which is about 1 second) to peak around your shoulder to make sure no one is following behind and thus gets up close and personal with a window pane.
3 – If you pass by a cop in the midst of a speed trap then do us all a favor and give us the ole’ flashing of the brights a couple times. Would it really kill ya’ to help out another driver?
4 – While we’re at it, thank me for letting you merge into traffic. Even if you don’t mean it. Just put your damn hand up so I can see it. This way I don’t think I just helped a jackass.
5 – This one’s a reach to the miserly ones out there but I’ll give it a shot. If you’re picking up food from a counter and there is a tip jar then throw your change in. The 47 cents isn’t going to do you any good so just throw it in the jar. If for no other reason it makes you look good, ironically a selfish move in and of itself but is allowed in this instance. I think my female readers may disagree with me on this one since they tend to hoard their change like monkey’s hoard mangos.6 – Here’s another reach. In fact, I’m willing to bet I may be in the vast minority on this one. However, that doesn’t make me wrong. You’re at a gas station. It’s packed. There is one guy running around (ok fine, walking around) trying to get to each car and fill up your SUV gas guzzlers. Each driver thinks they deserve to be tended to first since we’re talking about Selfish Pricks in the first place. Do the guy a favor and attempt to pump your own gas. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do. If you get the sense the attendant doesn’t want you too then fine. Head back into the safety blanket that is your Range Rover. I’ve noticed for the most part they appreciate the help and simply give you the nonverbal “thanks”. I’ve also seen when they don’t want you anywhere near the pump as well. In this case, like I said, at least you tried to help. Maybe someone will have seen it and will “Pay it forward” as they say.
(Note: This weekend I pumped my own gas since the station was packed. I got a resounding, "thanks for your help. I appreciate it" from the attendant)
7 – You’re outside. Its either hot as hell or cold as hell. It’s about that time for the mailman to come on by. Do the person a favor and walk up to 'em and take the mail. Don’t make them have to walk up your driveway or lawn to your mailbox. It’s embarrassing really. Embarrassing for them because they know they're being stared at you while walking. Embarrassing for yourself since it’s almost like they’re your servant while you stand there all high and mighty. If you want to really impress me then offer them a cool drink or a warm drink (assuming you have a warm drink available. I don’t expect you to make them a hot chocolate) depending on the current weather condition. I’ll be honest in that I’ve never offered the drink but I do regret it every time the situation calls for it. You can bet I’ll make the offer before the summer ends.
8 – After you just came to the curb and aided the mailman do the neighborly thing and put the lid back on your neighbor’s garbage can. I’ll be honest with this one though. If the neighbor is a jackass then you don’t have to do it. But if you are on a communicative level with your neighbor than put the lid on their garbage can. Or stand it upright. Not only are you being a good person but if you prefer to think selfishly then look at it as enhancing the curb appeal of your neighborhood.
9 – While we’re talking neighbors. When you’re shoveling your sidewalk don’t just stop at the property’s edge or their driveway. All you have to do is go a foot or two in. It shows you aren’t so focused on helping yourself and you don’t mind doing the extra shoveling. If you’re feeling frisky you could even go more than a foot and make an even more noticeable gesture of physical assistance. The extra 5 minutes wont hurt and the hot chocolate will taste that much better when you go in.
10 – This one is for you all you office rats out there. Bring in bagels or some form of breakfast for no reason other than you’re a swell person. Your coworkers will love the gesture and quite frankly it’s a nice thing to do. You’re all part of a team whether you like the jackass in the cubicle next to you or not. And p.s. don’t be the first person buttering your bagel either. Wait til everyone’s had their fill and then dig in. Don’t forget the butter and cream cheese either.
7 – You’re outside. Its either hot as hell or cold as hell. It’s about that time for the mailman to come on by. Do the person a favor and walk up to 'em and take the mail. Don’t make them have to walk up your driveway or lawn to your mailbox. It’s embarrassing really. Embarrassing for them because they know they're being stared at you while walking. Embarrassing for yourself since it’s almost like they’re your servant while you stand there all high and mighty. If you want to really impress me then offer them a cool drink or a warm drink (assuming you have a warm drink available. I don’t expect you to make them a hot chocolate) depending on the current weather condition. I’ll be honest in that I’ve never offered the drink but I do regret it every time the situation calls for it. You can bet I’ll make the offer before the summer ends.
8 – After you just came to the curb and aided the mailman do the neighborly thing and put the lid back on your neighbor’s garbage can. I’ll be honest with this one though. If the neighbor is a jackass then you don’t have to do it. But if you are on a communicative level with your neighbor than put the lid on their garbage can. Or stand it upright. Not only are you being a good person but if you prefer to think selfishly then look at it as enhancing the curb appeal of your neighborhood.
9 – While we’re talking neighbors. When you’re shoveling your sidewalk don’t just stop at the property’s edge or their driveway. All you have to do is go a foot or two in. It shows you aren’t so focused on helping yourself and you don’t mind doing the extra shoveling. If you’re feeling frisky you could even go more than a foot and make an even more noticeable gesture of physical assistance. The extra 5 minutes wont hurt and the hot chocolate will taste that much better when you go in.
10 – This one is for you all you office rats out there. Bring in bagels or some form of breakfast for no reason other than you’re a swell person. Your coworkers will love the gesture and quite frankly it’s a nice thing to do. You’re all part of a team whether you like the jackass in the cubicle next to you or not. And p.s. don’t be the first person buttering your bagel either. Wait til everyone’s had their fill and then dig in. Don’t forget the butter and cream cheese either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)