Any Commuting Teachers?
08-27-10, 09:17 AM
#51
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MIT has one of the best MBA programs in the country.
08-27-10, 09:48 AM
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Former uni instructor. Commuted 10 miles each way 2-3 x/week on a very non-fun road. I took clothing in & left 'em in my office on days I drove into town.
In Japan: I pedaled to most classes, or took the train for classes in other towns.
No longer in the classroom, I walk to the basement for work now.
In Japan: I pedaled to most classes, or took the train for classes in other towns.
No longer in the classroom, I walk to the basement for work now.
08-27-10, 12:36 PM
#53
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I recently took a coaching position at a local high school and no one has ever seen my car. They do know two of my bikes. It's a little over two miles from home to the field.
08-29-10, 12:22 PM
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I teach 5th grade Math and commute 2 to 3 times per week. It's about a 19-20 mile round trip and I have access to showers at school. Everything I need to shower stays in school, I only carry a change of cloth, shoes and lunch on a backpack. I was commuting on my MTB for the last two years and just got a cyclocross bike this weekend. It should be a faster commute this week. The route is a combination of streets and paved trails with the occasional grass and unpaved trails when I have to avoid pedestrians and dogs. Like somebody else said earlier on the thread...it makes a difference when I commute to work, the day goes by faster, I have more energy and a better mood.
08-29-10, 03:06 PM
#55
The Drive Side is Within
First full day back on Friday, and I skipped the train and rode in and back. 33 miles r/t or so.
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08-29-10, 06:47 PM
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I have a 21 mile one way commute in the Austin Hill Country and do this 2 to 3 times a week. Kids love it, parents love it, teachers think it's pretty cool too. I show up to work super sweaty and take a sink bath in the faculty bathroom. This year I'm doing something different though. Instead of bringing all my stuff in everyday I bring all my clothes in the week before. The day that I drive in I just switch them out. All I have to bring in now is my tool kit and lunch. Works great for me. If I had a short/flat commute I wouldn't mind the extra weight.
08-29-10, 06:50 PM
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Any other teachers care to revive this thread for the new year?
I've got my bikes lubed up for the new school year and am looking forward to the commute.
I teach HS Science and commuted by bike about 1/4 of the time last year with more of it towards the last 2-3 months as I became more efficient at planning.
I get there early (hope i don't get two flats or i'll be cutting it close) and wipe up. Change of clothes and shoes are in the room for the week, changed out at the end of the week by car usually, sometimes by backpack.
I plan for it and have a small fridge in the room which is great for water and food needed. I lock my bike in the room with me and the kids think it's interesting and if they see me riding home they call out and maybe get a little laugh. I think they secretly feel a little connection because of it though, they always come up to me and make sure I knew it was them, and I'll hear them brag to other kids that they saw me. I tell them about how it saves me money, saves the environment some, keeps me healthy, I enjoy it etc. They need to see real people doing real things, not more "TV reality" glam.
Also, as others state, I feel great when I come in after my morning ride. Wide awake, buzzing off of endorphins, ready to tackle the day. At the end of the day I may be worn out or tired, feeling stress etc. Since I rode in I'm trapped and have to ride home, so no excuses. Stress melts away on the ride home, getting the blood flowing. I feel much better, am more even tempered etc. If I just went home and told myself to exercise "later", I probably won't, and if i do it take away family time. This way I get to work out, commute, relieve stress, all at the same time.
I've got my bikes lubed up for the new school year and am looking forward to the commute.
I teach HS Science and commuted by bike about 1/4 of the time last year with more of it towards the last 2-3 months as I became more efficient at planning.
I get there early (hope i don't get two flats or i'll be cutting it close) and wipe up. Change of clothes and shoes are in the room for the week, changed out at the end of the week by car usually, sometimes by backpack.
I plan for it and have a small fridge in the room which is great for water and food needed. I lock my bike in the room with me and the kids think it's interesting and if they see me riding home they call out and maybe get a little laugh. I think they secretly feel a little connection because of it though, they always come up to me and make sure I knew it was them, and I'll hear them brag to other kids that they saw me. I tell them about how it saves me money, saves the environment some, keeps me healthy, I enjoy it etc. They need to see real people doing real things, not more "TV reality" glam.
Also, as others state, I feel great when I come in after my morning ride. Wide awake, buzzing off of endorphins, ready to tackle the day. At the end of the day I may be worn out or tired, feeling stress etc. Since I rode in I'm trapped and have to ride home, so no excuses. Stress melts away on the ride home, getting the blood flowing. I feel much better, am more even tempered etc. If I just went home and told myself to exercise "later", I probably won't, and if i do it take away family time. This way I get to work out, commute, relieve stress, all at the same time.
08-29-10, 09:40 PM
#58
Riding like its 1990
I'm glad loosechain doesn't teach anymore. We need teachers who respect and are committed to the task and care about the kids. If he, like others, had a respect for the profession then we'd get paid more as teachers. I went from business to teaching so that I can affect lives in a positive and real way. Money is not the key to my happiness.
08-30-10, 12:46 PM
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I'm a university librarian who teaches a lot of one-shot sessions. I've just recently started bike commuting- it's 4.5 miles each way. There aren't a lot of bikes on my campus, but at least I have no trouble getting a rack space.
08-31-10, 03:58 AM
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The students at my school are back again, which is good. Two weeks of pre-student administrivia is more than I can take.
On a brighter note, I have to do a 90 minute activity with students every Monday afternoon. This year I am doing a Fix Your Bike activity, then will take some of them out for a ride to the local town for dinner. I think it will be lots of fun. So many want to do it, that I have asked them for a one page hand written application. This way I can pick and choose without any fear of being called out for it
z
On a brighter note, I have to do a 90 minute activity with students every Monday afternoon. This year I am doing a Fix Your Bike activity, then will take some of them out for a ride to the local town for dinner. I think it will be lots of fun. So many want to do it, that I have asked them for a one page hand written application. This way I can pick and choose without any fear of being called out for it
z
08-31-10, 11:07 PM
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I don't think anyone really talked about this, but what would be teacher-specific about commuting by bike?
09-01-10, 09:41 PM
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I'm currently teaching EFL in a Taiwan public elementary. I think one other teacher rides a bike to school. I live only 3 km from work. We have a sort of garage for cars and bicycles, but no security. Bikes have disappeared from there before, so it's essential to use a decent lock. Most bike thefts here are by convenience. Unlocked or easily broken lock to take a bike to get somewhere rather that walking.
Back in the USA I was teaching at an urban Houston middle school. Although I lived only 3 miles from work, I was hesitant to ride there. In a school of about 1100 kids, only 3 or 4 bikes would be on the rack on any given day. Granted lots of kids walked to school, but most rode the bus or in a car no more than 3 miles. I couldn't park in my classroom (principals orders and lack of space), and there was no way I'd leave my ride out on the rack for fear of vandalism.
09-02-10, 11:10 PM
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I even looked at some states where the teachers are at $28,000. I couldn't even rent an apartment and still eat on that.
09-05-10, 07:25 PM
#65
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I teach at the university level. In my department there are about 6 of us who cycle in routinely. This drops to two in the winter (myself and a convert I made to winter cycling). With twin panniers on my old Mongoose MTB I am able to take a change of clothes and since I have access to computers at school I only have to carry a memory stick and a zip up binder. Unfortunately, this term I have to teach at an out of town campus and will have to drive at least two days during the week.
My commute is about 11km each way and I am fortunate to have a well maintained MUP (even in winter) which is almost direct to my destination. The only trick is getting across an expressway to get to it. I have the bike fitted with fenders to deal with the wet and in the winter I change up the tires for the studded variety.
My commute is about 11km each way and I am fortunate to have a well maintained MUP (even in winter) which is almost direct to my destination. The only trick is getting across an expressway to get to it. I have the bike fitted with fenders to deal with the wet and in the winter I change up the tires for the studded variety.
Last edited by nelson249; 09-05-10 at 07:34 PM. Reason: More info
09-05-10, 08:03 PM
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Well, I guess now I am. I'm currently teaching one on one in special education in a charter school. I regularly commute 4 days a week, depending on my wife's schedule. There are a couple of teachers who will ride in from time to time, but a couple of my other colleagues are starting to seriously contemplated riding more frequently. Especially the science teacher who focuses on local ecology and environmental protection. She told me on Friday that she's a little embarrassed that I ride in and she doesn't. It's nice working in a place with several commuters and an administration that's receptive to it.
09-06-10, 12:29 AM
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I teach at a HS and a college. One way I get round the carrying papers home is I do not give them assignments on paper. I try to at least.... So, at the college it is easy, everything they have to turn in to me is email only! NO EXCEPTIONS!
The HS is a bit different. I have to use handouts sometimes, they are rarely taken home, I just stay half an hour longer or go in earlier....
My schedule this year is a killer, I have to run from the college to the HS on 3 different occasion. EAch time I have exactly 3 km and 20 min. That is enough time to ride that distance but tack on getting to and from bike parking, locking/unlocking, changing shoes, etc means a sweaty fast ride... so much so at times that I end up being drenched in sweat... and if there was any traffic, snow, ice, whatever to slow me down I end up not having time to change shoes and shirts.... better to teach in cycling shoes and a sweaty shirt than be late for class....
There are more and more teachers at the HS biking and more and more students each year. Many have been asking the few of us all year riders how to get through the winter, so maybe there will be more bikes in December in the racks than in the past!
Robi
The HS is a bit different. I have to use handouts sometimes, they are rarely taken home, I just stay half an hour longer or go in earlier....
My schedule this year is a killer, I have to run from the college to the HS on 3 different occasion. EAch time I have exactly 3 km and 20 min. That is enough time to ride that distance but tack on getting to and from bike parking, locking/unlocking, changing shoes, etc means a sweaty fast ride... so much so at times that I end up being drenched in sweat... and if there was any traffic, snow, ice, whatever to slow me down I end up not having time to change shoes and shirts.... better to teach in cycling shoes and a sweaty shirt than be late for class....
There are more and more teachers at the HS biking and more and more students each year. Many have been asking the few of us all year riders how to get through the winter, so maybe there will be more bikes in December in the racks than in the past!
Robi
09-06-10, 09:02 AM
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Four new staff this year, two new riders. At my count we have seven teachers who ride in fair weather, of which four ride all year long, through sleet, snow and ice. Not bad, as our staff this year is around thirty or so.
10-03-10, 01:29 PM
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School started! (university)
I'd bike to there but it's very cold (-5 +5 degree Celsius over the day) and it's raining, so I'll just take the subway but when the opportunity comes I'll ride to work.
I'd bike to there but it's very cold (-5 +5 degree Celsius over the day) and it's raining, so I'll just take the subway but when the opportunity comes I'll ride to work.
10-04-10, 10:09 PM
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I finally got my bike downstairs (apartment living in the city) to ride to work and lo and behold, RAIN! Last week it was 113 in downtown LA, today cool and drizzling. I decided to go for it anyway which made today a day of many firsts: first time riding in rain, first time riding in a skirt, and first time riding with the new panniers.
10-07-10, 11:14 AM
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Mrs. Road Fan commutes between schools every day (2.7 miles each way) carrying purse, a backpack with laptop/grade books/notebooks, and a tote bag often with special lesson materials. She normally teaches high school choir, but goes to one of the elementary buildings to do 4th Creative Arts, Choir, and General Music. Lots of different materials. PLUS tests and projects to grade.
The bike is a Breezer Liberty; 27 speed STI setup, V-brakes, aluminum, a B72 saddle, MTB-style 'bars, fenders, lights, dyno, bell, and a pair of giant Breezer grocery bags. She loves it, makes about 18 mph most days. Wind is nearly always from the west, 7 to 20 mph.
I'm looking for a set of reflex tires for her. She has Conti Gatorskins, which give a really smooth, zippy feeling, and I wish those were available in 32 or 37 mm with the reflex layer. The bike can handle tires up to 700X37.
After she had done this for three weeks we went out riding together, and I got smoked big time with her on her road bike. Hmmmmm!
The bike is a Breezer Liberty; 27 speed STI setup, V-brakes, aluminum, a B72 saddle, MTB-style 'bars, fenders, lights, dyno, bell, and a pair of giant Breezer grocery bags. She loves it, makes about 18 mph most days. Wind is nearly always from the west, 7 to 20 mph.
I'm looking for a set of reflex tires for her. She has Conti Gatorskins, which give a really smooth, zippy feeling, and I wish those were available in 32 or 37 mm with the reflex layer. The bike can handle tires up to 700X37.
After she had done this for three weeks we went out riding together, and I got smoked big time with her on her road bike. Hmmmmm!
10-12-10, 01:41 PM
#72
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I teach high school Spanish and commute 21 miles a day round trip. My students are very used to seeing my bike parked in the classroom and miss it on the few occasions I drive.
I have a locker in the coaches' locker room and use the shower there when I arrive at work. I carry graded papers, lunch and my work clothes in a Topeak MTX trunk with panniers. It works out pretty well.
I have a locker in the coaches' locker room and use the shower there when I arrive at work. I carry graded papers, lunch and my work clothes in a Topeak MTX trunk with panniers. It works out pretty well.
10-12-10, 10:07 PM
#73
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So I just scrolled through this thread and noticed something quite interesting. It appears, though I could be wrong, that I'm the only commuting teacher who teaches the little guys. I didn't notice any primary grade (k-3) teachers. Are there any?
At my school we have 4 male elementary teachers and three of us bike to work. I'm the most hardcore - 28 miles round trip and I have not driven once since school started in late August. I do, from time to time, shorten my ride with a bus or train trip, but since I reset my odometer when I started going into school to work in my room in mid August, I've done over 1000 miles.
What's interesting is that my 5 and 6 year old students show very little interest in my bike, which is parked in the classroom throughout the day. The only thing that interests them are my many bike lights, and my clipless pedals and shoes. I think the fact that it's too big for any of them to even imagine riding makes it about as interesting as the flip chart easel or the overhead projector cart.
At my school we have 4 male elementary teachers and three of us bike to work. I'm the most hardcore - 28 miles round trip and I have not driven once since school started in late August. I do, from time to time, shorten my ride with a bus or train trip, but since I reset my odometer when I started going into school to work in my room in mid August, I've done over 1000 miles.
What's interesting is that my 5 and 6 year old students show very little interest in my bike, which is parked in the classroom throughout the day. The only thing that interests them are my many bike lights, and my clipless pedals and shoes. I think the fact that it's too big for any of them to even imagine riding makes it about as interesting as the flip chart easel or the overhead projector cart.
10-13-10, 07:49 AM
#74
The Drive Side is Within
Tell me about it. My mess bag was pretty darn heavy today w/ clothes, tools/pump/tube, coffee, planner, water, gradebook, and several sets of papers.
At least I got the table seat on the train to work on.
At least I got the table seat on the train to work on.
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
10-13-10, 07:54 AM
#75
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My neighbor down the street teaches middle school and she commutes by bike.