Anonymous wrote:This morning I dropped my little boy off at school for 1st grade. New school. He knows no one there. I was scared and anxious and nervous and excited (and trying desperately to just show the excited part.) And you know what I saw when we got to school? Smiles! Tons and tons of adults with huge smiles on their faces. I'm sure some of the smiles were fake, but man they were convincing. And so extraordinarily appreciated. Thanks for getting up this morning, putting on your "first day of school outfit" and being there with a smile for me and my kid. You may never know how much it mattered.

+1000

This was fantastic to see and made all the difference.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer.

Why wish for it? Become a teacher.

Yep. Comments like the PP's are so dumb. Nothing's stopping you from going to school, getting a teaching degree, and finding a teaching job, just like I did. So why didn't you?

It's because it's not really about that, is it, PP? Comments like "I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer" are made to make sure that teachers know their place. We have no right to complain about anything, because we have more summer vacation time than you, right? We need to just shut up and listen to the bullshit that we hear about our profession from the likes of you because we have such cushy jobs where we can leave at 3:00 PM and take the whole summer off. It's a seductive narrative. Has no basis in reality, of course, but widespread nonetheless.

Anonymous wrote:This morning I dropped my little boy off at school for 1st grade. New school. He knows no one there. I was scared and anxious and nervous and excited (and trying desperately to just show the excited part.) And you know what I saw when we got to school? Smiles! Tons and tons of adults with huge smiles on their faces. I'm sure some of the smiles were fake, but man they were convincing. And so extraordinarily appreciated. Thanks for getting up this morning, putting on your "first day of school outfit" and being there with a smile for me and my kid. You may never know how much it mattered.

+1. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer.

Bet you don't wish you had my paycheck.

Different PP, but I get yearly what you get for the school year. Teaching isn't the lowest paid profession. Granted, teaching is hard work and deserves more pay. But between teaching, summer school, and tutoring, I think teachers can earn a decent salary.

NP. I think you fed a troll, PP. I don't think OP posted that paycheck response.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer.

Bet you don't wish you had my paycheck.

Different PP, but I get yearly what you get for the school year. Teaching isn't the lowest paid profession. Granted, teaching is hard work and deserves more pay. But between teaching, summer school, and tutoring, I think teachers can earn a decent salary.

For having a Master's degree and close to earning a second Master's, I should be earning more.

Agree, but still it's not the least paid profession with a master's degree and you can go on an internet board and everyone feels sorry for you and wishes you joy. Other professions do not have that type of support network.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer.

Bet you don't wish you had my paycheck.

Different PP, but I get yearly what you get for the school year. Teaching isn't the lowest paid profession. Granted, teaching is hard work and deserves more pay. But between teaching, summer school, and tutoring, I think teachers can earn a decent salary.

For having a Master's degree and close to earning a second Master's, I should be earning more.

This morning I dropped my little boy off at school for 1st grade. New school. He knows no one there. I was scared and anxious and nervous and excited (and trying desperately to just show the excited part.) And you know what I saw when we got to school? Smiles! Tons and tons of adults with huge smiles on their faces. I'm sure some of the smiles were fake, but man they were convincing. And so extraordinarily appreciated. Thanks for getting up this morning, putting on your "first day of school outfit" and being there with a smile for me and my kid. You may never know how much it mattered.

Anonymous wrote:OP, I feel for you. Have you ever been interested in instructional design? That's a nice field, void of bureaucracies...

Another teacher here. What exactly do Instructional Designers do?

You are doing some of the most important life work there is.

Thank you for saying this. In my heart of hearts, I know this is true. I'm the 26 year teacher and it's why I stay. This is really a calling for me. I am not religious, but very spiritual and I care a lot about my students. My work is my church. Every year I enjoy summer, but then I get back into the students when I return (sometimes too much, but better than not enough, right?).

You can't do this for the money or the time off. You have to do it for the love of people around you (and you loving them back). Students can see your sincerity in a heartbeat. We are all incredible beings.

And, if people are not supporting you, it's time to leave wherever you are and find the place where you get support to be your best with your students. Don't give up OP. You sound like a very caring and principled person. We need teachers like you!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer.

Bet you don't wish you had my paycheck.

Different PP, but I get yearly what you get for the school year. Teaching isn't the lowest paid profession. Granted, teaching is hard work and deserves more pay. But between teaching, summer school, and tutoring, I think teachers can earn a decent salary.

What are you not feeling? If you really don't want to teach, do you think it's a good idea to be in a classroom all year? Or are you just wishing summer was longer?

Well, I'll just say I'm a parent that appreciates teachers. I try to be engaged and interact. I chaperone field trips, donate supplies, and help wherever I can. I do what I can at home to help my kids learn so it is not all on you and the school. I am so grateful for your help. Thank you.

Sitting in my empty classroom and it just feel surreal. I can't even remember my damn password. My brain is not ready for this. Why did I give up caffeine?

And my first paycheck is mid-September.

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had 10 weeks off every summer.

Bet you don't wish you had my paycheck.

I left last June after a decade in the system and 32 years as a teacher overall. Happy to be adjuncting now ...even for a lot less money. Public school is toxic.