Riding the struggle bus

How do we improve teacher attendance?
I always laugh when I see this question posed in faculty meetings or in education leadership circles. Why? We should ask a different question; why are teachers absent so much?

Excessive teacher absences

Sure the odd teacher has a chronic health condition that requires frequent absences for medical attention, but this does not apply to the rest of us able bodied teachers. 

Why are teachers absent so much i.e. more than 10 days each year (in priority schools)?

1. We need a break from being a teacher, mentor, counselor, parent, psychologist, interventionist, corrections officer, zoo keeper, and/or life coach
2. We need a day of peace and reflection
3. We need a day to catch up on paperwork (for the extremely dedicated few)