I’m an elementary school only ALT. I started this year teaching in 2 elementary schools. I have 26 classes a week. I can’t attend 1st period in my visit school because of an awkward bus timetable to a rural area. That means I would actually have 28 if not for the awkward bus schedule twice a week. So far I’m only T2 but I don’t know if this could be subject to change later.
Is this number of classes normal for Elementary school ALT’s?
Is it the teaching staff or the BOE who usually determines the number of classes?
1 comment
So the school decide your schedule and class numbers, but the BOE should give them guidelines on how many you have.
At least in my area, we’re entitled to one free period each day (+ lunch which is just a break) to plan, make sheets, etc. If you’re not getting that planning time due to it being taken up by transport and are then working every other period, then speak to the person at your school who’s in charge of your timetable. Do this independently for each school, and don’t bother mentioning what happens in each school to the other, it just makes life simpler.
There is no ‘normal number’ sadly, some people will have 5 classes a day every day, some will have 1 or 2. Some people have 1 school, some have 12. Some people take on the extra class and do 6 as well as club stuff… Ignore ‘normal’ and just try to negotiate your own position to be reasonable for you. Check your contract/speak to your BOE and if you’re allowed a free period, ask your school politely to timetable it.