Reflections From a Break

When I graduated college a well-meaning relative gave me a gift- a wooden sign that said, "I can give you three reasons I teach: June, July, and August." I remember the chuckles around the table as I showed it to the other guests. It seemed to be an acceptable belief that the benefit of teaching was the summers off. That, in fact, maybe the best part of teaching was the summers off. I remember leaving this gift in my closet for a year or so until I threw it out. While I see the humor, it didn't align with my beliefs and I certainly couldn't imagine where one would hang such a sign. For me, it did not represent what I considered to be the "reasons I teach", and in fact aligned with something I consider to be a larger problem of public perception facing teachers, magnified now by the ever-present influx of social media posts and funny memes.

Summers off have never been truly "off" for me. Prior to having children I always worked full time, whether it was at a day camp or teaching summer school. Once I had children my summers were still busy with school work. Last summer I taught three PD classes, took 30 hours of PD courses, wrote 30 hours of curriculum, and presented at a state-wide conference. Sure, I didn't "work", but I still had my teacher brain on fire. I was constantly involved with education, even if I was working on it at my pool club.

This summer, for the first time in 12 years, I took a summer off. I left school in June making a decision that I needed a break. I didn't teach PD, I didn't present at a conference, I didn't log on to Twitter, I didn't read a professional book... I just experienced time off. And in it, I developed a fear. I said to my husband, "What if my spark is gone? What if this means I don't love it like I used to?"

I used to crave teaching over the summer- I spent countless hours reading blogs and professional books, researching, and planning. When I didn't find myself craving it at the end of July I was scared that I was losing my love. But now, now that we are approaching the mid-point of August, I can tell you that I have not lost my spark. In fact, in some ways, this break gave my spark a chance to build up the energy it needed to turn into a blazing flame.

I am on fire right now about a new school year. I cannot wait to get in that room, set up, prepare, and meet these kids. Because, like most teachers, I do not teach for summers off (although a lovely perk)- I teach for the kids. If I had to create my own wooden sign it would say "I can give you three reasons I teach- relationships, relationships, relationships." It is all about building relationships with kids so they can see the benefit of school. If the teachers don't see the benefit, if the teachers only see it as a means to an end, a job, a way to get summers off... how will the kids see it?

Let's work this year on not holding kids to standards we don't hold for ourselves. If you expect them to give 100% every day- are you? If you expect them to be excited about a new project- are you? If you expect them to be excited for a new school year- are you? And if you're not... what can you do to get excited? The beauty of teaching is that we, the teachers, are the magic maker- if you don't feel the magic, go make it! Find what sets you on fire and set the room ablaze! You've got this.