In Defense of Breaks

I always find it interesting that the number one question I get asked as a teacher is, "you get paid all summer not to work?". I know that people are asking because they are jealous of such a concept, but it always comes off very condescending. Plus it amazes me that people don't ask questions like, "what is high school like these days?" or "what is your biggest challenge in your job?" or "what are the kids like?". No, the question most asked always is about not working in the summer and getting paid for it.

First of all, it's a misconception. Yes, teachers get a paycheck in the summer, but it's for time already worked. My school district isn't giving me money all summer just to lay in my hammock and read--no, it's money I already worked for. Yes, when you consider how much teachers get paid for the number of days they work, it's good money. Except when you divide it out hourly and realize teachers never work just an eight hour day. It's not uncommon to spend 12 hours working each day. I don't write this to complain--I have a great gig for a job. I love working with high school students, I love my co-workers, I enjoy creating new ideas and seeing them work (and many that do not work), and I love the feeling knowing that everyday I'm doing something good for someone (many times, it's many people). I write this in defense of breaks.

I'm on the last day of a much needed Spring Break. Now the weather has been much more like Winter Break than one would imagine Spring Break to be like, but I'll take it. It's normal for me to want to get back to work after a break. I woke up this morning thinking about what my students need to be successful on the MCA test--a sure sign that break is over, and reality is just around the bend.

And here I sit thinking about all of the items on my to-do list that are left unchecked. Don't get me wrong, I got a lot of items checked off that list, but mostly what remains is school work. Another concept I find intriguing. Most teachers I know will bring home work over a break. Or spend some of their summer working on curriculum for next year. I crave breaks for many reasons, but the biggest is that I know I'll have a chunk of time where I get caught up in paper work or lesson planning. I can't speak for all teachers, but for sure some that I work with with, but we are always thinking about what we can do in our classes. Always. So maybe school districts should start paying us in the summer. I assure you I can think of some great ideas in that hammock.

Just Some Random Thoughts of Late

Random Thought # 1
While driving home the other day on Crosstown ( a stretch of road I love and hate), I saw a group of men playing Frisbee Golf. There they stood, next to a frozen pond, with their shirts off. Shouldn't that be some sort of rule? Shirts stay on until at least the water is unfrozen?

Random Thought # 2
Or how about my experience at the DQ last night. I was tasked with getting dessert after a delicious BBQ Rib dinner crafted by Husband Joe. I handed the clerk my check card that has JOINT written on it. As in Joint Checking Account. Until this moment, I had never considered what someone else might think JOINT meant. The DQ clerk informed me what he thought it meant and said "well, you know working here, you get kinda caught up in that stuff". Huh. And to think I was just making sure that I wasn't buying dessert with my fun account reserved for clothes, manicures, and drinks with the girls.

Random Thought # 3
We recently sold our house and it's odd for me to think about the people who are so excited to move into a house we don't want anymore. It's a great house, don't get me wrong. It's just not meeting our needs or wants anymore. They are probably doing what we did--looking through the photos over and over. Mapping out where everything will be. Planning the first get together. They are doing all of this while we are planning our move into temporary housing (code for in with Mom and Dad) and thinking about what we want next.