Back to School

Summer break has come to an end. I have to admit that, as a school teacher, my summer break is my favorite time of the year because I get to enjoy being a full-time mom. My kids and I love not having a daily schedule to commit to. We can plan for a lazy day at home, help dad out on the farm, a trip to run errands, visit with our friends and family or meet up with dad for lunch. And of course, enjoy our daily afternoon nap!

On the other hand, some working "non educational profession" parents are looking forward to school being back in session: less time and money for a sitter and not having to worry about keeping kids busy. Let's not forget the stay at home parents: more freedom for them.

The planning time that teachers and school staff members put into the upcoming school year is priceless and quite ridiculous. Some teachers begin planning a year in advance and some are spending a numerous amount of hours in their classroom or at home working on school preparation projects during their summer break. I have to admit that I was that teacher my first years of teaching. I remember working in my classroom one summer night til after 11 p.m. Not to mention, principals and other administration get very little time off during the summer, too. They work almost all year around. The teaching profession is definitely not an 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. occupation.

If you work in a school or have in the past, you have seen chaos in action during the first days of school. Talk about craziness! Teachers are working hard with classroom transitioning, working on management and setting routines into place. Administration continues to search for that perfect schedule by making changes to the current schedule so that the rest of the school year runs smoothly for all. There is no such thing as being on time during these days, either. Getting to PE, music, library, computer lab, lunch or recess is extended at least 5 minutes for everyone. Student behavior is great for the first day or so but as students get comfortable their true colors begin to show. They get chattier by the day and test their teachers' discipline plan and consistency.

As stressful or insane the first days back to school can be, educators continue to enjoy the students and their profession. We strive to make a difference and for student success by building relationships with our students, encouraging them to set and reach their goals, motivating them to never give up and by being a positive role model for them to look up to. We, educators, have a passion or love for the life of Teaching.