Teacher Brain Drain....

Is it wrong that I can't wait until summer vacation? Is it wrong that I'm counting down the days just like my students? As a teacher, it's often assumed that one's whole life is school or education oriented. Granted, the whole reason I find myself addicted to college coursework is because I fear that my brain will go dead if I don't engage in stimulating ADULT conversations sometimes, but beyond that there's a real need to do things not related to secondary education. There's a need to read books that my students DON'T have to read....to not have papers to grade...to not be expected to call a parent of that student that you KNOW will never show up at the grade pick up or parent conference this time because they NEVER have before....there's a need to wake up and not have somewhere to be by 8am everyday!

Don't get me wrong...it's not all bad! 12 years of teaching and interacting with Chicago area youth have had many high points - graduations, thank you's, laughs, open mics,etc., but those are often so few and far between that it's easy to forget. I think the frustration comes, sometimes, too in the fact that this is often a "thankless job"...we do it out of love, dedication and a desire to see a better world, but the world doesn't appreciate the effort and the sacrifice. Sometimes, it's like..."Oh, sure I don't mind spending my weekend planning a really cool activity that you won't even take 5 minutes to read." Am I wrong?

As tired as students THINK they are of school come May or June, they have NO IDEA how exhausting teaching can be. I don't think anyone really understands until they've been in that position. You are teacher, parent, coach, friend, counselor, leader, mentor, role model, enemy, victim, nagger...byotch...all in one - depending on how the day goes and how your students see you that particular day! It's one of those jobs that people always say, "Wow! I really admire what you do!" but society doesn't reflect that in their treatment of teachers or in the priority we receive in terms of state and local budgets! If we are really so respected, how is it possible that garbage men, postal workers, athletes and entertainers make more than us? Why do the office personnel in some schools make more than the teachers? Why is it that the guy or girl in the videos that a child will probably never meet are the role models when teachers (and parents) are the ones they see in front of them everyday?

I'm venting...but maybe I'm purging and educating those of you that aren't teachers...maybe you're a parent trying to understand why your child's teacher seems so fed up all the time...maybe you're a student trying to understand why certain teachers nag you everyday about simple stuff like, bringing school supplies EVERYDAY until the end of the school year...maybe you're just a random person with a salary more than $40,000 or $50,000 who just doesn't get why anyone would take on such a daunting task....Whoever you are, now you know why June, July and August can be the three things teachers look forward to after spring break!