Full-time in the classroom. Five benefits you (probably) didn't know about
Education often revolves around finding a balance between workload and satisfaction. Many teachers consciously choose part-time work to combine work and private life, but there are also unexpected benefits associated with a full-time position in the classroom. Here are five surprising advantages you may not have known.
1. Continuity that is directly visible in the results
Those who stand in front of the class provide students with continuity that is directly reflected in their results. Research shows that groups with a permanent teacher often perform better. When one teacher guides a group for an entire year or even multiple years through so-called ‘looping’, almost a month less needs to be repeated in the second year.
This is because the teacher already knows the students and their learning needs well. This advantage is especially noticeable for students with additional support needs, who often benefit from stable and familiar relationships.
Additionally, you notice a calmer group dynamic in daily work: less repetition of explanations, faster routines, and more time for in-depth learning. This leads to higher engagement and better test results. The effects of this continuity extend beyond just grades. They enhance the overall learning climate in the classroom.
2. A personal training budget that often goes unused
Did you know that as a full-time classroom teacher you are entitled to an individual training budget and hours for professional development? According to the collective labor agreement for primary education, every full-timer receives about two hours per week for professional development (which can be combined into study days) and a personal training budget of €500 per school year. However, a survey by the AOb shows that 73% of teachers do not fully utilize these opportunities.
Those who work full-time fill these hours faster and can therefore take a course, training, or conference free of charge each year. This not only offers opportunities for personal growth but also for gaining new insights that can be directly applied in the classroom. Moreover, full-timers can expand their expertise more quickly, which can positively contribute to their position within the team or even to career opportunities within the sector.
3. Accelerated salary and pension accumulation
Working more hours not only means a higher monthly salary but also a stronger financial foundation for later. The pension fund ABP calculates your pension accumulation directly based on your part-time factor. In other words: the more you work, the more pension you accumulate. Full-timers therefore reach higher salary scales faster and can expect a higher pension amount upon retirement.
Additionally, a higher salary now increases your maximum loan or mortgage capacity, which can be financially advantageous in the long term. This makes a full-time position an attractive choice for many teachers, especially considering the current housing market.
4. Greater voice in policy and innovations
Since the introduction of the Teacher Profession Act in 2017, teachers have formal authority over important educational decisions. This means that as a teacher, you have a say in matters such as subject content, didactics, and pedagogy. In practice, however, many of these decisions are made in working groups, participation councils (MR), and ad-hoc development teams – precisely the meetings that part-timers often have to miss.
Full-timers often have more influence on policy choices such as new teaching materials, ICT innovations, and task policies due to their presence. This can contribute not only to a stronger professional identity but also to more job satisfaction, as you can directly see how your ideas and feedback are implemented in practice.
5. Less fragmentation and silent overtime
Tasks rarely disappear completely when you work part-time. Many obligations, such as parent evenings, report discussions, and method training, are shifted to colleagues or to your own evenings. Research by the AOb shows that 73% of teachers in primary education are structurally overworked, with 14% even working more than 8 hours per week.
Full-timers often experience less transfer stress and can better distribute administrative tasks over their workweek. This leads to clearer planning and more overview, which is pleasant for themselves as well as for parents and students. Moreover, they have to worry less about keeping track of transfer books or missing important meetings.
Is full-time teaching for you?
Although working full-time in the classroom is not the ideal choice for everyone, the benefits are clear. Full-timers benefit from more continuity in the classroom, a larger training budget, accelerated pension accumulation, greater influence on policy, and less fragmented tasks. Perhaps it's time to consider these advantages in your future considerations – for yourself and your students.
