How Many Hours a Week Do Teachers Really Work?

Make sure you’re sitting down for this. I’m going to be totally real and upfront about what you can expect when it comes to putting in those teaching work hours. Your teaching gig won’t stick to the strict schedule of clocking in and out. It’ll go way beyond those times, that is if you let it. You’ll have to establish your own limits. I’ll walk you through why this can be challenging and offer some tips to make it easier.

Teachers consistently put in more than 40 hours per week, dedicating themselves well beyond the standard 7-hour school day. In Texas, merely 45 mins out of the 7 school hours is designated for lesson planning, emphasizing the limited time for this crucial task.

Nobody’s going to flat out say you’ve got to work beyond the set hours, but they won’t need to spell it out. You’ll get so caught up in the whole teacher prep thing that you’ll easily slide into the pattern of working late nights and weekends. Sure, teachers do get planning periods meant for, well, planning, but is that time really enough? And do those long hours become a permanent part of your career?

School Hours

The school hours can differ based on the school district you’re in. Districts usually set the hours for their schools, keeping the availability of school buses in mind. Just to give you an example from my area, high school students start the day earliest at 7 am. Middle school kicks off at 7:45 am, and elementary school begins at 8:45 am.

Check out the list below for the specific start and end times of these schools. As teachers, we’re expected to be ready to welcome our students at the start of the school day, often even earlier. In my experience, I’ve always been in high school. 

At my last job, we had morning duty assigned every 3rd week, for a week at a time. This meant that for that “duty week” I had to be at an assigned spot to watch over students as they came onto campus. This particular school had various duties like metal detector duty, hallway duty, cafeteria duty, and bus duty – every part of campus entry and common areas had someone keeping an eye on things, usually a teacher. So, you might need to be at work earlier than the official school hours.

Elementary School 8:45 a.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Middle School 7:45 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.

High School 7a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

After School Hours

You might feel like rushing to leave as soon as the bell rings and beat the students out of the parking lot, but hold on a moment! Take it easy! Before you head out for the day, make sure you’re clear about your campus’ expectations. Your school’s administration will likely go over the start and end times for teachers during the professional development pre-service days, 

The start and end times are often referred to as contract hours (we’ll talk more about this later). However, beyond those, you might also be expected to offer before or after-school tutorials for students who need extra help. 

Let me share my own experiences with you. I used to work at a school where I had to provide tutorials once a week for two hours after school. And here’s the catch – you only got paid for that tutorial time if you managed to have at least 10 students attend. I wasn’t a big fan of it, but it’s one of those expectations that exist. And going against these norms can bring on some real stress.

School Events

There will be other times when your school day extends beyond the usual hours, like during community events. These are things like “meet the teacher” sessions, open house events, science nights, and literacy nights. These events are designed to engage parents, students, and the local community in a meaningful way. 

For instance, during open house, all teachers are expected to be there. We are expected to create a welcoming environment for parents and showcase the classroom experience. These events serve as valuable opportunities for parents to become more involved in their child’s education and get a deeper insight into the school’s atmosphere.

If you’re unsure about whether you need to attend a specific event at your school, don’t hesitate to ask your department head or an administrator. And don’t worry, you’ll have time to plan for these events. Schools typically plan these occasions well in advance, allowing you to manage your schedule effectively. Just remember to mark these dates on your calendar so you can balance your work commitments with your personal time for friends and family.

Contract Hours

The set times you’re officially expected to be at work are referred to as your contract hours. To find out exactly when these hours are, your best resource is the employee handbook available on your district’s website. This handbook holds legal significance as it outlines all the specific expectations. Additionally, your school might have its own version of the employee handbook, so it’s a good idea to compare the information with the district’s handbook.

In my experience, the district handbook doesn’t directly spell out the start and end times for teachers, as each school tends to have its unique schedule. However, the district handbook does establish a baseline requirement: all employees are expected to put in a minimum of 8 hours per day, excluding a 30-minute lunch break.

Anything you do outside of these contract hours is usually termed as “extra duty.” As we’ve touched upon earlier, this extra duty isn’t always compensated with extra pay. It’s important to recognize that, while some of these additional responsibilities might be compensated, others might not be. It’s a case-by-case situation that can vary from district to district or even from school to school within the same district. Being aware of these dynamics will help you navigate your commitments effectively.

Planning Time

Sure, let’s dive into the topic of planning time, which is a pretty important aspect for us teachers. We do get designated planning time, although it’s interesting because there are differing opinions on whether it’s sufficient or not. I’ve heard both sides of the argument – some folks believe it’s enough, or at least they’ll put up that argument, while others (often teachers themselves) are vocal about it not being sufficient.

Here in Texas, where I reside, it’s actually written into the law. The Texas Education Code states that teachers are entitled to a 45-minute planning period every day. For schools that follow block schedules, this extends to 90 minutes every other day. You can find the specifics in Section 21.404 of the Texas Education Code. It’s important to understand that this isn’t just some guideline; it’s the legal framework.

However, it’s worth noting that this allocated planning time sometimes gets taken up by other tasks. For example, if you’re part of a team, you might find yourself collaborating on lesson planning rather than doing it solo. This can have its pros and cons, depending on your personal preferences and the effectiveness of your team’s dynamics. 

Personally, I tend to be more productive when working alone, but being a team player is crucial, even if it doesn’t always align perfectly with your personal approach. Team meetings likely won’t happen every day; I typically have them twice a week. These meetings can prove valuable as they allow us to pool resources, break down standards, and create shared assessments. They’re a great opportunity to sync up and work collaboratively.

Why Do Teachers Work Outside Contract Hours?

At some point along the way, you’re bound to find yourself putting in extra hours beyond the regular workday. There are various factors that contribute to this, as we’ve touched upon earlier. It could be due to scheduled events, or maybe the planning time during your work hours didn’t quite cut it and there’s still work left to do. 

This leaves you with a choice: either invest your personal time to complete the necessary tasks or face the prospect of being unprepared. And that’s the crux of it, really. This is why teachers often end up working beyond their contracted hours, dedicating countless hours after school and even on weekends.

The reason behind this dedication boils down to the core of our profession. It’s because, ultimately, we’re evaluated based on how well we execute our lessons and plans. The effectiveness of our teaching strategies directly impacts student engagement and learning outcomes. Now, nobody may explicitly express it in these terms, but it’s an underlying truth. 

Teachers who aim to excel and make a lasting impact, not only for the benefit of their students but also to meet the expectations of administrators and themselves, willingly give up their personal time to ensure every aspect of their planning is thorough.

This deep commitment stems from a sense of ownership over our work. We recognize that the quality of our teaching directly influences the growth of our students, and this responsibility drives us to go the extra mile. It’s about more than just following a job description; it’s about shaping young minds and fostering an environment of growth and learning.

Solutions That Work

Let’s talk about some sustainable solutions for reducing the amount of overtime you put in as a teacher. Specifically, for that time that we spend lesson planning or preparing for the activities.

Plan During Your Planning Period

Make sure you’ve got a clear plan in mind when you step into your planning period. It’s important to make the most of the time you have and manage it wisely. I totally understand – there will be moments when you’ll be tempted to use your “off period” to relax a bit. And you know what? Sometimes that’s absolutely okay. If you need a little breather to recharge, go for it. But here’s the catch: you shouldn’t turn it into a regular habit.

See, if you consistently opt for relaxation over planning during your planning time, it’s very likely that you’ll end up working extra hours after school to cover what you didn’t tackle earlier. In other words, planning time exists for a reason – to help you organize and prepare efficiently. It’s a strategic window that can significantly lighten your workload down the line. So, while taking a breather occasionally is alright, just remember the ultimate goal: making the most of this dedicated time to ensure smoother sailing after school hours.

Avoid The Perfectionist Trap

This solution involves steering clear of the perfectionist pitfall. Believe me, it’s a common trait among many teachers – we are often perfectionists. The allure of nailing every detail, having all the answers, and making sure everything is meticulously neat is strong. But here’s where things get real: you’ll need to ease up a bit and cut yourself some slack when it comes to your work.

It’s important to acknowledge that not every lesson or task can be flawlessly perfect. You won’t always have the luxury of time to craft the absolute ideal lesson plan. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine. Embrace the fact that you’re human, and sometimes, “good enough” is truly good enough. It’s about finding that balance between striving for excellence and recognizing the practical constraints of your schedule and resources. So, while the desire for perfection might linger, allow yourself the flexibility to adapt and move forward without constantly striving for an unattainable pinnacle of flawlessness.

Accept Group Resources

Don’t hesitate to lean on your fellow teachers for support – this is especially crucial, especially during your first year. Chances are, someone in your teaching circle will have a treasure trove of materials and insights to help you navigate the classroom effectively. They might even willingly offer their resources to you. However, if they don’t automatically offer, don’t be shy to ask if they have any helpful materials. More often than not, they’ll be more than willing to assist. This kind of camaraderie is what teachers excel at – sharing knowledge and lending a hand.

If, for any reason, you find yourself flying solo in this regard, don’t worry. You can easily discover valuable teaching resources online or through Facebook groups. The key is not to reinvent the wheel. Why start from scratch when there are proven materials available? Having a solid foundation, like a lesson plan or teaching resources, will undoubtedly save you a significant amount of time and effort. So, don’t hesitate to tap into the collective wisdom of your teaching community or the vast array of resources available online.

Avoid The Water Cooler

If you’re on the hunt for ways to lose track of time, there’s no shortage of options on campus. But let’s steer clear of that. Instead of spending your precious time chatting away or discussing your latest Netflix marathon with your co-workers, let’s focus on something more productive.

If your goal is to minimize the work you carry home, you’ve got to make the most of your planning period. Use that time to its fullest potential. Rather than allowing distractions to steal your time away, channel your energy into tasks that directly contribute to your teaching load. It’s all about managing your time smartly and ensuring that what you do at school counts, so you can truly enjoy your personal time without dragging work along.

Closing comments

I really hope I’ve been able to give you some valuable insights into what goes into a teacher’s work hours. Throughout our discussion, we’ve tackled the time you spend at school, the hours that are expected of you, any extra responsibilities that might come your way, how to effectively use your planning time, striking a balance between wanting things to be perfect and what’s actually doable, and the incredible support teachers offer each other. Taking all of these pieces into account will help you get a clearer grasp of how you can navigate your busy days with confidence.