| A teacher sabbatical is that one right teachers should | | | | - Don't wait until you're completely tired and burnt out. |
| not disregard lightly. Nowadays the stress levels of | | | | Excessive work and overtiredness does not make for |
| teaching run high and teachers are now faced with | | | | effective teaching. |
| more demands than ever. | | | | - The last thing a teacher needs is to worry financially |
| The primary purpose of a sabbatical is to engage in | | | | during a year long absence from the school system. |
| academic work, research, or other purposes that will | | | | But just make sure you can you live off a sabbatical. |
| increase the individual's competence in a subject area | | | | Just because your salary might be less, doesn't mean |
| or give further professional growth and will ultimately, | | | | you can't pursue a sabbatical. Explore other part time |
| contribute to the improvement of the school. The idea | | | | means of support such as private lessons, tutoring in |
| behind a sabbatical is that such experiences will | | | | small groups without the demand and pressure of a |
| enhance the competence of the teacher to make | | | | frontal classroom setting. |
| himself or herself more productive in the classroom. | | | | - Consider the time frame of your studies. Do you |
| Here are a few important questions that should be | | | | want to pursue an academic degree or a multi-leveled |
| asked regarding the nature of sabbaticals. | | | | course? Online or offline? Some academic programs |
| - Are you in a school district that allows a sabbatical | | | | are two years; some are less. |
| leave? | | | | - Enjoy your sabbatical. Explore other courses. A |
| - Are you guaranteed your teaching job upon your | | | | sabbatical is time to find a balance and plan things you |
| return? | | | | haven't had the opportunity to do like gardening. Don't |
| - Do you run the risk in being moved to teaching a | | | | make every day a study day. Enjoy life. Your |
| different grade or school upon your return? | | | | sabbatical will be over before you know so you might |
| - Do you have to return the sabbatical money upon | | | | as well enjoy every minute. |
| your return? | | | | Are you one of the lucky teachers who has taken a |
| - Is one year enough or do you want (or need) a | | | | sabbatical? Do you know anybody who has taken a |
| longer leave of absence? | | | | sabbatical? Do you have a sabbatical coming up? |
| - What is your purpose in taking a sabbatical? | | | | Does your school have a special policy regarding the |
| - Do you see the value in taking a sabbatical? | | | | nature of sabbaticals? Hopefully, your decision to take |
| Here are a few issues to help time and plan your | | | | a sabbatical will prove to be very beneficial for your |
| sabbatical without a bag full of unexpected worries. | | | | teaching career. |