Day in the life of a part time teacher

Ms. Yancey teaching a math 2 class (Jonathan Jones,The Puma Prensa)

Written By: Jonathan Jones and Chase Soylu Chee, staff writer

Mathematics, the subject that allows interpretation of the universal language of numbers, is taught by many captivating teachers. The Maria Carrillo High School mathematics department has many part-time teachers who work tirelessly to guide students through the often daunting world of mathematics. Jacquelyn Yancey and Allison Johnson, share similar struggles and experiences while part-time teaching. Students who took Math with part-time teachers agree that the teaching system affects educators’ time and management when teaching. Despite these challenges, part-time teachers remain dedicated to educating their students, often going above and beyond to make a lasting impact.

Two years ago the mathematics department at MCHS introduced a new teacher, Jacquelyn Yancey who teaches Math 1, three days a week. Additionally, Yancey became a Teacher on Special Assignment where she is invited to separate math 2 classes to help clarify concepts and provide student skill practice. Fortunately, she can be on campus daily, allowing her to take extra time on grading. Being a relatively new teacher, Yancey comments, “I was really surprised with how much time [grading] takes.”

Yancey explained that she often seeks advice from teachers who have worked at the school for longer because, she states, “they seem to have more official knowledge,” which helps Yancey grow as a teacher.


However, Yancey enjoys part-time teaching, and said, “I love my schedule. I love only having to grade for 3 math classes, and I also love being on campus for the week.” With the shortened time for grading and making lesson plans, she said the schedule makes “things easier to balance family and teaching.” One class period is worth 20% of a teacher's job, and part-time teachers are defined by each class period. Part-time teaching employs a risk which is further clarified by Yancey stating “When you are [teaching] 60% or less, you don’t get your classroom” which could be difficult for most teachers. Luckily, Yancey noted that part-time teachers sharing classrooms is a massive improvement this year, reflecting on last year when they had to travel between classrooms. 

As a part-time teacher, Yancey is required to share room E3 with fellow math teacher Johnson. “The hard time is when I’m not in my classroom because Mrs. Johnson is in my room,” Yancey explains, “but I need something out of my room and so she has to put up with me coming in.” On the other hand, Yancey also highlighted the supportive nature of the math department at MCHS, and is especially thankful that Johnson is a “fun person to share the room with. We get good ideas and we bounce stuff off of each other, and we became good friends.” Ultimately, Yancey has found a positive and supportive environment while navigating the treacherous waters of part-time teaching.

Mrs.Johnson in the lower quad (Jonathan Jones, The Puma Prensa)

Like Yancey, mathematics teacher Allison Johnson also teaches Math 1 and 2 three days a week and has a family back at home. Johnson originally started teaching at Cloverdale High School for 7 years but, instructing dancing classes and having children forced her to become a stay-at-home mom. Reflecting on the time before she started part-time teaching, she says, “I knew I wanted to come back but I wanted to find a balance in my life.” Thankfully, a part-time teaching position opened up at MCHS, and she saw it as the perfect opportunity to return to the classroom. The mix of dance, family, and teaching brought her fulfillment. “It’s a really good balance for me to be able to focus on my own time,” she explains.

On Johnson’s off days, students who need advocacy or after-school help cannot get math help from her. Regardless, Johnson uses the extra time to make lesson plans, write emails, and set up assignments. Along with that, Johnson stated she can dedicate more time to “Put all into the students I do have and the classes I teach… and think about ways to help each individual student.”

Last year, teaching part-time could also mean sharing prep periods with other teachers, which was not easy for Johnson because she could not prepare her agenda for the upcoming days. Johnson stated “Last year was tough because I had to move between rooms all day. I didn’t have a home base, and it was hard not having a place where students knew they could always find me,” she recalls. Packing and unpacking materials every period added extra stress. However, Johnson adapted using school-provided technology such as the smart TV, Desmos, and math game websites to make the learning experience more interactive. Fortunately enough, Johnson shares a classroom with Yancey and she states “We’ve arranged the room in a way that works for the both of us, and it’s made a huge difference.”

Being at school for a limited amount of time means part-time teachers cannot get everything done promptly. Johnson stays after school hours, “Because I know I won’t be at school on certain days, I stay late to make sure all my copies are made and everything is ready, I plan out my time carefully” she explains. 

Johnson has prior experience in full-time teaching. She explains “Full-time teaching was very consuming” and says “I spent so much of my free time grading and planning. While it was rewarding, it was also exhausting.” Now, Johnson has her balance with dancing, motherhood, and teaching. “I can still give as much of myself as possible to my classes,” she states, “but I also have time to focus on other important aspects of my life, like my family.” While content with her current schedule, Johnson hasn’t ruled out full-time teaching. She predicts “Somewhere down the road, I could see myself going back to full-time teaching, but for now, part-time is the perfect balance for me. I’m grateful for this opportunity.

Johnson’s passion for teaching remains her favorite part of the job. Johnson stated “Every day is different, and the conversations I have with students are always interesting. I’m never bored, and I feel lucky to have a job where I’m fully engaged and enjoy what I’m doing.” Regardless of being a part-time teacher, Johnson can still maintain a fulfilling and lasting relationship with students and teachers at MCHS.

Not only do the teachers feel the effects of part-time teaching, but so do the students who have had her. “She was a good teacher,” stated MCHS Junior Davis Farley, “When you needed help you could ask her and she would give you actual help instead of just telling you the formula and she would try and understand why you didn't understand.”

MCHS Junior Jack Salmon said, “She was a very supportive teacher and I always thought she did her job very well” and MCHS Sophomore Alex Bouse made a similar statement, “It was really nice. She taught us what we needed to learn. I was able to understand everything pretty easily.”

With the positives also come the negatives. One of the struggles students had was finding Johnson outside of class. Farley stated “It was kinda hard figuring out where she would be if you need to turn in late work or you needed to get help outside of class”

Part-time teaching at Maria Carrillo High School includes both flexibility and stress for educators. While teachers like Johnson and Yancey struggle with balancing different aspects in their teaching lives, they ultimately find a way to work with each other and connect with the students in fun and innovative ways. The limited amount of time to plan, the strain of advocacy, and the grading nonetheless, these teachers' hard work have gone unnoticed by many, but not by all. They strive to educate their students about the intricate language of numbers and turn them into mathematical scholars.