Why I Love Teaching...Teaching Myth's about Summer Vacation

Why I love teaching....
Teaching Myth's about Summer Vacation

via junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com

(This is not a post about why teachers are over or under paid 

or whether or not we deserve many perks 

including a 2 or 3 month vacation!)

Many teachers quickly pack up their classroom's in June, 

turn in their keys, 

and peel out of the parking lot excited 

about a few months of freedom! 

I, like many other teachers, feel a sense of accomplishment 

and closure as June rolls around! 

A sense of accomplishment for all 

that was planned and learned,

meetings that were had,

paperwork that was completed,

problems that were solved or compromised upon,

goals that were met,

and progress that was shown!

There's a small sense of closure in the effort 

that was put into forming relationships...

with staff members...

with administrators...

with parents...

but most of all with students!

It's a sense of closure for most teachers that spend 1 year helping, supporting, teaching, leading, motivating, 

and loving a group of students!

A sense of closure that this group of students may move on and reap the efforts of another teacher the following year!

A sense of closure that you will receive a new group of students that you will be able to devote yourself to the following year!

My life as a teacher has sometimes looked a little different!

As a teacher of multiple grades, I often form special bonds with a very small group of students that sometimes carry over for multiple years! 

I am fortunate to observe a child grow and overcome obstacles that sometimes take more than a years time!

Each June, I often feel like I've accomplished a great deal 

but always wish I could have done more!

I don't often feel that closure that comes from saying goodbye to a group of students moving on to the next grade.

Until now!

For the 1st time in 10 years, I will not have any returning students to my classroom. Besides 1 year where I switched positions and went from teaching middle school to kindergarten and first grade, I have always had at least 1 student returning in the fall from the previous year!

This June there was lots of closure!

(Not to mention lots of tears!)

I hugged each of my students

told them how proud I was of what they learned 

and how independent they became

and I made them promise to visit me next year!

This June, I tried to promise myself I would recharge!

My 10th year of teaching was going to be 

a bit different from the rest!

This summer brought so many exciting events!

(read here)

In addition to various vacations,  

I spent some time on house projects!

I laid a new floor in the kitchen, 

hallway, bathroom, and laundry rooms!

(It all flows together!)

I painted the wood door, trim, and window white

in our master bathroom!

I redid closets and organized the attic!

In addition to getting sweaty with projects

I read 6 books!

(more than I've ever read in 1 summer)

We went to the zoo, the swim club, and many, many movies!

It's been simply an amazing summer!

So I as sit here on the eve of my last 

(sorta) 

night of summer vacation

(it's the weekend..

and then a week of prep...

teacher days + unpacking!)

one might think I might feel a sadness 

about missing this life we've lead for the past few months!

Except I have a secret!

I NEVER STOP THINKING ABOUT MY CLASSROOM!

:)

Teaching for me is so much more than a job...

it's even more that just a profession!

For me...It's part of my soul! 

Part of who I am!

A piece of me thats temporarily lost 

when I'm not in the classroom!

It's a even if I won the lottery,

I would still have to teach feeling!

Of course I LOVE summer! 

And I'm not sure I would want to teach somewhere 

that had school year round!

The time Domenic and I get to spend together 

both being teachers is amazing! 

And the time we spend collectively 

as a family is simply invaluable! 

Every moment is cherished!

But I never stop thinking about my classroom!

The noise...The friends...The amazing ideas...

The faces..The smiles...

The laughter...sometimes the tears 

but so many more smiles!

I can not describe how excited I get 

when I receive that welcome back packet! 

Or when I go out and buy my planner for the upcoming year! 

(This date gets earlier and earlier each year! 

This year I had it on my birthday. 6/14. 

Just for the record we ended school 6/12.)

This year is going to be like any other! 

I am blessed to have a brand new amazing group of students 

to help, teach, support, and love!

I am blessed to have amazing friends 

and teams of teachers to help share ideas and students!

I am so eager to get into school,

begin unpacking, 

and breathing in the moments of another spectacular year!