Curtis always gets a little grumpy about my "summer off" and I don't blame him really. From an outsider's view, teaching looks like a super easy gig- no nights, no weekends, no holidays, and summers off. If only it were that simple! Two years ago I got a birthday gift from a student. It was a little wooden sign that said, "I teach for June, July and August off." Well, I'm here to tell you that I don't know any teachers who get a three month summer vacation anymore. There is exactly eight weeks between the last day of school and the first day of school. My first day of school in July 30! I also have a five-day workshop the week before that so technically my summer ends on July 22.
Add to that the fact that I am taking a June mini-mester course at a local college, four days a week for the entirety of the month, and technically I only get three weeks of vacation- not that different than what Curtis gets each year from his regular job! However, I stand by a teacher's right to summer vacation. If you are a teacher, or you know a teacher, then you know that a teacher's day doesn't end when the bell rings at 3 o'clock. Many teachers take work home or work at school until late in the afternoon- grading tests and essays or preparing lessons. Teaching is not a job that you can just leave at work when you clock out.
Teaching is mentally and physically exhausting. Teaching is often thankless and stressful. Teachers need that summer break to recharge and prepare for the next school year. Am I going to go on vacation? Probably. Am I going to sleep late and spend days in my pajamas? Probably. Am I going to have nightmares about disastrous school years? You betcha! Am I going to spend hours cleaning my room and re-doing lesson plans? Without a doubt! I think it all evens out in the end, but I apologize in advance if I seem braggy about my time off :)
44 comments:
Cute dress and cardi! Love what you said about teachers, it's very true! I am not a teacher, but I've always had a lot of respect for them. I couldn't do that job. I can get frustrated at homework time with my kindergartener. I can't imagine trying to teacher a classroom of children. Her teacher is awesome and I'm soo happy she has her. I volunteer in class about once a week and have grown to love her teacher even more after watching her with the kids. The school day is from 9:15 - 3:30, but she's there at 7:30 and doesn't go home until 5! And of course she takes work home, she has two classes to prepare for. I am more than willing to help her out once a week and have even taken home things to cut out for the next day's project. I say kudos to teachers!! Where would our kids be without you?? So enjoy your time off, Katie! Who cares what people say. =)
~ Catie
I was always jealous of you teachers :P
I know it's harder than us outsiders think, I give you a lot of credit!
ps. can you tell me more about that dress and belt. I love it!
i'm with you, i work in education with 15-16 yr olds, i am not a teacher but i am a learning assistant 1-1 with a special needs student (but i manage to support lots of others, its exam season at the moment in england)it is hard work, i'm not down playing how hard others work, but the holiday allowance can be a contentious issue! my husband calls my job 'part time' and winds me up quite a lot but i do need the break, i cannot explain how difficult looking after the academic, social and emotional care of lots of students can be - i also have morning and lunch duty - and a teachers work is sooo much harder! keep up the good work because teaching impacts lives in such a positive way, but you know that! x ps thanks for the beauty balm and mineral powder tip, i'm shopping tonight!
First of all, you look beautiful! Second, some of my closest friends are teachers and special ed ones at that. I know all too well about the stress teachers endure and have lots of respect for that profession. So thank you for educating our kids! :)
xo, Yi-chia
Love that dress Katie, and those shoes are too cute! I will definitely be jealous of your Summer off, though it's definitely deserved :)
Annie
The Other Side of Gray
Both my mom and my sister taught for a few years so I know it's very hard work. I'm still going to be jealous of your summer "off" though! My dream is to find a job as a school social worker so I can reap the benefits of the school schedule :)
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Pretty dress :) I believe teachers deserve the summer break. I think the kids need it too. It sucks that the summers are getting shorter and shorter :(
Teaching definitely sounds like a challenging job to me. I know it's something I would never be able to do, so I congratulate you for it! You deserve the rest! Cute outfit too btw :)
www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com
Well, I'm not sure if I deserve a break, but I definitely need one!! Thank you so much :)
It does suck! And I agree, we all need the break to refresh and regroup!
That would be ideal for you! There are some definite perks to being a teacher!
Thank you, Annie! And the shoes are comfy!!
Awww, thanks so much! Teaching is very stressful. I mean I know tons of other jobs are too, but I don't have those jobs!
Well, learning assistants have a tougher job and get less respect than teachers, so I feel for you! You are right about the stresses and responsibilities of teachers. We have one of the most hostile work environments and next to no support!
Hope you find some good stuff shopping tonight!
Sorry, I didn't link to the clothes today. Everything is really old. The dress is from Old Navy last spring. They have some similar styles, but not any muted colors I think. The belt was from New York and co from the fall. They don't have it anymore, but they have some similar styles. I love it!
I'm so glad your daughter has a great and dedicated teacher like that! I don't know if it would be harder or easier to deal with the same group of kids all day or not!
Cute look! Love your sweater and necklace!
xx
Giovanna
www.oliveandanarrow.com
In BC at the moment, a lot of the problems or issues you listed have been splashed over the media since our province's teachers have gone on strike. I have two close friends who are teachers too and trust me, I know first hand from them that it is far from an easy job! On another note, I am loving soft pink on you - I love you in bright colours but that delicate tone is also stunning on you!
Alexandra xo
http://tovogueorbust.com/
My sister is a 5th grade teacher and one of the hardest working people I know. Plus, she teaches ESOL at night to adults. I have no idea how she does it! She's even looking for a job over the summer to pay down debt.
from an outsider, I definitely am jealous of the teacher "summer vacation", but I have friends who are teachers, and work their booties off, so I know that what you say is true! And, I am so thankful for wonderful teachers like yourself, I don't think I could ever do it! And you look fabulous to boot
xx
While I totally respect teachers and really would never want their job.
I do get a little jealous when my teacher friends get spring & winter breaks. ;)
I completely understand, and I'll be honest- it's pretty awesome!!
Awww, thank you so much! Your words are so kind! That made my week!
Wow!! She is definitely working her butt off. I respect that!
You know, we brunettes just look good in everything ;)
Strikes are so scary sounding. I don't want to even think about having to deal with that.
Thank you, Giovanna!
adorable dress! love it!
xx
kat
www.withlovefromkat.com
Hi katie,
I am Tarah of Tarah and the City.
I just found your blog and I love it. I have a special place in my heart for teachers. My Mom is a master teacher and she works damn hard. She never gets a break. So I really appreciate all your hard work. Teaching isn't easy. :)
You're a beauty and I'm looking Forward to more Posts.
Your new follower,
Tarah and the City
Brag away! Teachers definitely deserve it :) Stinks that you have to take a class, but at least you'll have a few weeks of doing nothing (which of course means lots of sleeping and outfit photos).
I think everyone is overworked in this country, why don't we get stinkin' siestas?!
Amen! Will you run for president so I can vote for you?!?
I have a foreign exchange student from China in my elective class, and every day after she eats lunch she puts her head down on the desk and sleeps. Apparently, that's the norm in China (well, and she goes to school for like 15 hours a day, but we can pick and choose what we like, right?!?)
Thank you so much, Tarah! I am so glad you found my blog, and your mom sounds like an awesome woman! Going to check your blog out right now :)
Thank you, Kat! going to check out your blog right now :)
School seems to start earlier each year. Teachers definitely deserve some time off from all of those kids.
xo erica
Oh my gosh, don't you dare feel bad about your well deserved break! Teachers work so hard and make such a difference in children's lives. You you need to relax and recharge so you can do your good work.
Also I love that sweater/cardigan. I love the unusual play of textures and lengths with the longer, knit and the shorter, thinner dress. The colors are summery as well!
Love your dress it is so cute. I think my sister who is a teacher would agree with everything you said. I however would give anything for any time of break. I really question becoming a lawyer. It leaves me so exhausted.
We are having a giveaway on our blog for a personalized necklace, please stop by and enter. Giveaway
cute outfit!
x
SHOPSTYLECONQUER.COM
Teachers definitely deserve a more relaxed summer! I've watched my teacher friends do what you spoke of with not getting out at 3pm. They're usually working 10+ hour days! You sleep late in your PJs, Katie. Do it without shame. And YES, brag about it while you're at it.
Audrey
www.puttingmetogether.com
Well, I probably will brag, but I figure since I apologized beforehand it wouldn't seem as obnoxious!! ;)
Thank you!
Whew! I bet you are exhausted! I do appreciate that teaching has built in breaks and vacations. Otherwise, I'd probably never take time off and be a stressed wreck all the time!
Thank you, Mel, for your sweet comments about being a teacher!
And by the way, I totally almost didn't post this outfit because I thought it was kinda blah- but your description made me feel really high fashion and deliberate! So thank you!!!
Oh it definitely starts earlier each year! I don't know how, but it does! Bleh!!
I know all too well what the reality is for teachers! Way underpaid and overworked! "Summers off" is a joke these days, huh? Anyways, you look cute in your light colored outfit! ;-)
Preach it, girl! I'm lucky to get out by 5pm each day, and of course still have stacks of essays and projects to take home each night. And yep...summers are merely a few weeks at a time, especially when you factor in all the PD we're required to do (or just do because we're good teachers who want to better ourselves!) Plus...don't forget, we don't get paid for the summer months! Most non-teachers don't realize this! Thanks for clearing up those misconceptions. Regardless, I'll still be bragging about my break along with you :)
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