Sunday Work

[Heinrich]

Does anyone else here bring work home and wait until Sunday to do it? I do. I know I could wait until Monday, but I like to hit the ground running to make the week a smooth one. Is it a sin to do this?

[Bonaventure]

It depends. What kind of work is it?

The best route for you to take, my friend, is to ask your padre.

[Heinrich]

It depends. What kind of work is it?

The best route for you to take, my friend, is to ask your padre.

Grading papers, lesson plans, etc.

[Bonaventure]

Well, since that is not servile, manual work that a slave would do, I don't think so. I don't think that violates the obligation to rest.

[Penelope]

I've read (I forget where) that the type of work prohibited on Sundays is manual labor, whether it's for employment or not, but that "work" that requires use of the mind, whether for employment or for pleasure, is fine.

[Archer]

I've read (I forget where) that the type of work prohibited on Sundays is manual labor, whether it's for employment or not, but that "work" that requires use of the mind, whether for employment or for pleasure, is fine.

Yeah, the wife and I talked about this last night and came to that conclusion as well.  The only concern we could think of is that you may be violating the spirit of the law.  If you are able to do your work on another day than it might be best to do it then and leave Sunday free.   

[Heinrich]

I've read (I forget where) that the type of work prohibited on Sundays is manual labor, whether it's for employment or not, but that "work" that requires use of the mind, whether for employment or for pleasure, is fine.

Yeah, the wife and I talked about this last night and came to that conclusion as well.  The only concern we could think of is that you may be violating the spirit of the law.  If you are able to do your work on another day than it might be best to do it then and leave Sunday free.   

That's mostly what concerns me: the spirit of the law. Contrary to what many people think, teaching is a lot of work(that is, if one is to do it right). I teach high school with three different classes to prepare for(preps). To do it right, in my estimation as I close on 20 years of doing this, is to strictly not teach from the book, but make lessons that will accommodate the students' nature: immediate feeback, mini lessons within the lesson, and practical applicability. This takes many hours of planning and creating. I find that this is most rewarding and better than just saying: "Turn to page 86 and let's do grammar exercises 1-10." This planning(and grading) takes a lot of work. My weeks can vary from 55-80 hours a week of school work. 

[Bonaventure]

I had no idea you were a teacher, Heinrich. I thought you'd be some kind of John Muir outdoorsman.

With that said, if you have to do the work for the benefit of your students, you should do it, as what you are doing is ultimately for the greater glory of God.

[Archer]

I had no idea you were a teacher, Heinrich. I thought you'd be some kind of John Muir outdoorsman.

LOL me too.  Do you teach at a public or private school Heinrich?

That's mostly what concerns me: the spirit of the law. Contrary to what many people think, teaching is a lot of work(that is, if one is to do it right). I teach high school with three different classes to prepare for(preps). To do it right, in my estimation as I close on 20 years of doing this, is to strictly not teach from the book, but make lessons that will accommodate the students' nature: immediate feeback, mini lessons within the lesson, and practical applicability. This takes many hours of planning and creating. I find that this is most rewarding and better than just saying: "Turn to page 86 and let's do grammar exercises 1-10." This planning(and grading) takes a lot of work. My weeks can vary from 55-80 hours a week of school work.

I honestly think you're fine, but if you still have doubts I echo what Bonaventure said and encourage you to talk to your Priest.  Despite it being time consuming, it's awesome the way you tailor your lesson plans.  It sounds like you treat your job like a vocation.  Keep up the good work my friend. 

[Heinrich]

I thought you'd be some kind of John Muir outdoorsman.

I did not know who that was until a Google. I am more of a Jeremiah Johnson.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcsXC2xFis4[/yt]

[Penelope]

Contrary to what many people think, teaching is a lot of work(that is, if one is to do it right). I teach high school with three different classes to prepare for(preps). To do it right, in my estimation as I close on 20 years of doing this, is to strictly not teach from the book, but make lessons that will accommodate the students' nature: immediate feeback, mini lessons within the lesson, and practical applicability. This takes many hours of planning and creating. I find that this is most rewarding and better than just saying: "Turn to page 86 and let's do grammar exercises 1-10." This planning(and grading) takes a lot of work. My weeks can vary from 55-80 hours a week of school work.

Perhaps a slight derail, but I just want to emphasize this for all who may have the impression that teaching is an easy gig and that anyone can just fall back on it if their first choice of careers doesn't pan out.

[Heinrich]

Do you teach at a public or private school Heinrich?

I teach at a large suburban high school south of Denver, north of Colorado Springs. I am an instructor of Germanic languages, let's say.

[Ancilla Domini]

I teach at a large suburban high school south of Denver, north of Colorado Springs. I am an instructor of Germanic languages, let's say.

May I ask which ones?

[Heinrich]

German. And English.

[Ancilla Domini]

German. And English.

Ah, yes... I was hoping against hope for Norwegian or Icelandic.