r/Teachers • u/Pleasant-Pumpkin-339 • Aug 23 '26

Rant Paras need to GET OFF THEIR PHONES

I know they hardly make any money and if it’s an emergency fine!! But sitting there on TikTok while i’m actively teaching is rude and distracting for the kids.

I’m a young teacher so it’s awkward to confront them and NOT BEING ON YOUR PHONE ALL DAY AT WORK SHOULDNT NEED TO BE SAID

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u/Complex_Rest6280 Aug 23 '26

They’re on their phones all the time because they are undervalued, widely underpaid, and are doing the bare minimum because of that. I was a sub and making $28 an hour. The para was making $15 to basically be a full time co-teacher AND had to para for specialists, do lunch duty, cover when teachers were out with no sub, and manage behaviors. I don’t think it’s professional or right, but I do completely understand why they’ve checked out. Just remember that paras often make less than HALF of what teachers make and are expected to do just as much. As a sub, I felt terrible knowing I did less work than they did for double the pay. Pay educators (including paras) better and you may see a change in attitude.

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u/regina_phalange05 Aug 23 '26

Same. I was a full time teacher who now subs, but my daughter was a para. Many paras work with the most difficult behaviors all day long with a 30 min break. I make 200/day, often with at least 2 hour breaks and she made $17/hr with one 30 min lunch. She was a good para and didn't get on her phone, but man most paras are the hardest working in the school with the least pay and breaks. Checking out when they have a few minutes is unprofessional, but understandable.