* School schedule: Elementary, middle, and high school schedules differ. Some schools have longer days than others.
* Grade level: Teachers of younger grades often have more non-instructional duties (e.g., helping with toileting, managing transitions).
* School policies: Some schools have longer prep periods or collaboration time built into the schedule.
* Extracurricular activities: Many teachers coach sports, lead clubs, or participate in other extracurricular activities, significantly extending their workday.
* Individual teacher's workload: Teachers' responsibilities like grading, lesson planning, parent communication, professional development, and administrative tasks vary significantly.
While the instructional day might be 6-8 hours, a teacher's total workday often extends well beyond that, frequently reaching 10-12 hours or more, especially when considering preparation and grading. Some teachers even work on weekends.