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.
Very true Diedre! My mother was an elementary teacher and I can testify that even a significant portion of her summer she was not “off.” The first week she always had to clear off all the school work from the past year, and at least two weeks before school started she was preparing for the coming year. Not to mention some summers she had extra training and conferences to attend.
Thanks for that validation Rebekah! My mother was also a teacher and I spent many summers cutting out laminated things for her classroom.
Teaching is hands down one of the hardest jobs on the planet. My mom has been a teacher for 30+ years, so I already knew it was intense. Then I worked as a school SLP for two years and saw it firsthand: I was constantly in AWE of all that was expected of the teachers at my school. You all deserve summers off, no question – I just wish that you had better support, resources and opportunities for time off during the school year! Thanks for being an educator! <3
Thank you Traci!! That is so sweet!!
I can only imagine how hard it is to be a teacher. You definitely deserve to have the summers off!
Thanks Alex!! I’m a school counselor and my coworkers and I work pretty hard during the year. The end of the year is just as exciting for us as it is for the kids!
I totally agree! The time off is both needed for the teachers and parents. Teaching is a demanding and undervalued job that doesn’t get the respect it deserves.
I wholeheartedly agree. Thanks Pam!
So true! As a kid, I totally believed that my teachers got all summer off just like we did, but realized later in college when I had friends who were teachers/educators that this wasn’t the case. Everyone needs time to sit back, relax and enjoy time with their family.
Exactly! Thanks for understanding Shani!
Great post! I have family in education, and I’ve never doubted that they deserve every moment of that summer ‘break’ for all the hard work they put in during the year. Of course, with their own children/pets/spouse at home… we all know ‘break’ is just a word 🙂
Exactly Jill! So glad you get it 🙂
My mom was an elementary teacher and I can totally agree with this post! and as a homedaycare provider I too agree with needing a break
Thanks Claudia!