You Teachers and Your Summers Off... A New Perspective

As a teacher (and one who loves her job!), I get a little weary of hearing phrases like "it must be nice to have the whole summer off", "well, you don't work THAT hard... you have all summer off", or "I bet it's hard having all summer to do whatever you want", etc. While I cannot deny I have nine weeks where I do not report to a school, prepare lessons, or grade papers, I never, ever stop being a teacher. I have traveled around the world and inevitably run into somebody who knows me as their teacher or their kid's teacher. Life under a microscope is not always easy. I'd like to share with you a bit about my "job". I have curriculum to teach to 100+ students. Some of them are gifted readers who test at the 12th grade level and some are reading at the same level as an entry level kindergartener. (I teach sixth grade mind you). I have paper work, technology, meetings, training, evening duties, blah, blah, blah... BUT that is not really what I do. You see my mission is to LOVE kids. Each year I have the honor of meeting over one hundred sweet, precious souls. They come to me nervous and worried and have stories that would absolutely break the hardest heart. Many are hungry, dirty, hurting, and often feel so unloved they see no purpose in trying to better themselves. Others come to me with a support group that looks awesome on paper, yet they struggle with burdens that many adults tell them are unimportant or "it's just a part of life". During our time together, I try, and try, and try to LOVE them through it. I get frustrated and annoyed, but try every day to treat them as I would want MY boys to be treated. I forgive their shortcomings, their attitudes, and even their inconsistent use of deodorant. WE (in partnership) work hard for 180 days. We learn, cry, laugh, love, and hopefully leave each other better off having known one another. But the story does NOT end here. Once I have come in contact with a student (whether I teach them or not), they are mine. Mine in the sense that I worry about them, celebrate their successes, empathize with their hurts, and want only the best for them. After 20 years "in the business", I have roughly 2,000 "clients" to "deal with". It is an honor and nothing makes my heart more happy than to hear "HEY, MRS. FREEMAN" across a parking lot or meet the next generation I pray I get to teach. Here is the thing that I want you to take from this tomfoolery: As much as I hate to admit it, I NEED the summer. I need to have a brief mental, emotional, and academic break to prepare for a new batch of students. In order to be my best, I need to renew and reflect upon what I did well and what I need to improve. My summer appears leisurely, but it's nine weeks to give my family all they have been denied as I pour energy into "somebody else's kids". They deserve it and I am grateful for the opportunity. From this day forward, when you see a teacher in the summer. Give them a hug, high five, or handshake realizing they are mourning the loss of their "kids from last year" and trying to muster the necessary energy the "new batch" deserves. I HAVE NEVER REGRETTED MY JOB CHOICE.... just sometimes question my "friend" choice when they choose to be so inconsiderate of the people who walk this path with me and the profession I love dearly.