Looking for suggestions on how teachers have been able to get time off for the trail. Specially, most teachers’ contracts are 9 months. So, in terms of getting “leave time” how have you worked it out? Have you been able to get 6 mos. contracts, for example? Or have you left your job after X mos. and just hoped they wouldn’t hold you to the contract. any suggestions for creative ways around the year contract would be appreciated. thanks for the help.
Pat
Well…
I am a teacher who did the trail before I started working, since I graduated in December… it fit perfectly.
I would say it depends on your administration.
Since I did mine for charity, I know that my current boss would let me have a few moths off. I also know that there are a few teachers who have written and applied for grant money to support their hike as an educational enrichment thing.
I want to redo the trail when I turn 43, 20 years after my first one. I also would like to do the PCT, but don’t know if I can get it together to get the grant to do it.
Good luck
windex
You’re welcome to join the Old Raindog and myself on the CDT in 7-12 Windex. You know you cant wait 20. How’s the wedding going?
Bushwhack
If you only have 3 months off at a time, then do the trail in 2 sections. Do Springer to Harpers Ferry on year, and Harpers Ferry to Katahdin the next.
Myself, I found it a lot easier on the family and my “normal” life to get away for half the trail over 2 years than doing the whole trail in one long trip.
Peaks
Sabbatical leave is a possibility. I got the spring semester off in 2000 from my college to do the trail. Since I am a biology professor at a college located in the PA AT region, I was able to make a convincing “personal and professional development” argument for seeing the Appalachians on foot through winter, spring, and summer. As a condition of my leave I have incorporated trail photos and experiences into my courses and I give slide shows to local civic groups (about 7 or 8 so far).
My plan B was to get fall semester off and leave from Katahdin in June. Maybe I still will someday.
Good luck to you. Of course you could always walk fast and far every day and do the whole thing over the summer.
duckxing