Being an educator is hard work. Work doesn’t always magically end when the school day ends.
Often, “other duties & responsibilities as assigned” come in the form of meetings, late nights & impromptu conferences with parents defending our character.
I can’t tell you how many times people have commented (my husband included) that I am lucky to have the summer off. Trust me, educating the next generation and keeping up with them has nothing to do with luck.
Despite what the naysayers say, here’s why I think all educators deserve to have the summer off:
Educators Wear Many Hats
No matter our role, at one point or another we have been a child’s nurse, mother, counselor, and teacher. I’ve even joked with some of my frequent flyers that I need to claim them on my taxes (#sorry #notsorry)
We stand in the gap for those kids who don’t have support at home, whether it’s emotionally, financially or in any other capacity.
“Overtime” Means Nothing
Open House, math night, rising so and so night, PTA night……..
None of those nights come with extra pay. We work, we smile, we answer questions, then get up the next morning and do it all over again.
When I was 9 months pregnant, I worked an event for 3 hours after school.
Parents Can be Demanding
Parents get angry and pop up at the school. They demand meetings and threaten not to leave until they meet with someone.
They email incessantly and get upset if you don’t answer within the hour. They get mad if you call and tell them about what their kid did in school. They get mad if you don’t call and tell them what their kid did in school.
In a nutshell, some parents can be very difficult to please.
State Testing
You know how much your kids hate state testing? Well, educators do too. Can you believe we can’t even sit and read anymore??
The kids get antsy and uptight, and we have nothing to keep ourselves entertained while we pace the room. I’ve made many grocery lists during state testing. I think I wrote this post too.
Sickness
Do you have any idea how many germs are running rampant in a school at any given time??
Whenever a kid is sent home with lice, everyone starts scratching.
My daughter has missed numerous days this year because she always seems to catch something. And then she is so kind to pass it on to me. Being around kids 24/7 is a breeding ground for passing germs.
Free Time
Do you know how much time we sacrifice with our own children to be present for someone else’s?
As a school counselor, I like to have quiet time–when I’m not giving anyone advice and I’m enjoying the peaceful silence.
Raising three childrendoesn’t lend itself to many silent days as you can imagine.
I have often told my five-year-old to hush on the way home because I needed quiet time instead of talking with her (insert mom guilt here)
I long for the extra time with my family in the summer…..when I can pretend to be a stay at home mom for six weeks.
