Summer as a Teacher

So I realized today that I haven't posted in months. I hope nobody out there was waiting with baited breath... like I do for the blogs that I really enjoy reading on a daily basis. Since I'm pretty sure that my sister is the only person that reads this little blog of mine, I'm not too worried.

Summer is in full swing. Honestly, as an elementary school teacher I'm already thinking that we're on the downward slope. It's going to be August 24th before I know it and I'll be heading back to my real job as a 2nd grade teacher. There is always excitement that comes along with a new school year but at this point in the summer I'm filled with nothing but dread about August 24th. I'm just not ready yet. So for now I'll put that date out of my head and keep doing what I'm doing.

For now my summer jobs include babysitting, house sitting, reading, rearranging furniture, sitting by the pool, watching a lot of HGTV, and sleeping in. For me, summer is a glorious time to catch up on all of the things that I never have time to do during the hectic school year.

People are so funny when I tell them what I do for a living. "You're a teacher? Oh it must be nice to not have to work that much." Is it rude that I pretty much laugh in their face? Now I don't consider myself "one of those teachers" who gets on their soap box and preaches the importance of being a teacher, how hard we work, the long hours, etc, etc. I know that there are a lot of people out in this wonderful world of ours who work long hours and have important jobs. I am very realistic about the fact that I chose to be a teacher knowing that it meant work outside of school, not a lot of pay, and summers off. But it always amazes me how quick people are to criticize what I do for a living simply because I have the summer off. I'm also quick to point out that in all of my years of teaching (all 7 of them), I've never had a summer off. I have always babysat... some summers 20 hours a week... others 50 hours a week... this summer my schedule is super sporadic and I have a few weeks off and am doing something new- going on vacation with the family that I babysit for. It should be fun! I mean who wouldn't be excited about a trip to Nantucket with three adorable boys and a nice family? But hey, it's still work.... and we all make our choices in life. My choice just happened to be the job that had the perk of "summers off" no matter what that off time includes.