[onja]

Actually, 9 out of 10 teachers that taught me in public school were old and had had children in their teens, 20s, or older. Maybe my districts were just old :)

And my teachers very rarely missed days. 2-3 days a year except for the Jewish ones(missed 3 or so holidays).

[Amelia]

And my teachers very rarely missed days.

Most of the teachers I know try not to miss days, but the ones who have small children and the ones who have aging parents in poor health have a harder time of it than those who don't.

I do know a very small number of teachers who feel that "sick days" are there to be used and try to use them all. They aren't nearly the majority, however.