I love spring break as a teacher. In all honesty, I love it more now than when I was a student. So why do teachers need a whole week off? In two short months, I will be on a 2 1/2 month break (which really isn’t a break because a teacher’s work never ends), but why do we so desperately need a break?
I thought about this question yesterday after an insane day. Insane week. Insane month to be honest. Let me put a few things in perspective:
My days consist of getting students prepped and ready for the high stakes state test. Every day I want to pull my hair and eyes out while banging my head on the cement wall as my students stare at me with blank faces when I give a question released by the state. Let’s see…I come back from my very short (15 minute) lunch break this week to only find that during those short minutes without my kids, one child (let’s call him Billy) took another child’s head (let’s call him Bob) and banged it into the lunch table. Oh, there’s more. As he took Bob’s face toward the table, he oh so rightly aimed his nose straight into the straw of his milk carton. Milk spilled. Blood everywhere. I wish I was surprised, but after Billy stuffed a highlighter up Bob’s nose earlier in February, hey, shock is no longer in my vocabulary. Furthermore, I have dealt with many threats in my district and those around me, including a school shooting only 25 minutes down the road. The list continues. So why do we need a spring break?
- First Real Break since Christmas
- I will admit, this year has been full of snow days, but after months of testing prep, paperwork, lazy co-workers, insane parents, school shootings and threats, and so much more, teachers are ready for a few days to get away from the stress.
- I will admit, this year has been full of snow days, but after months of testing prep, paperwork, lazy co-workers, insane parents, school shootings and threats, and so much more, teachers are ready for a few days to get away from the stress.
- Time to Vacation
- Luckily, I have family on the southern east coast, which gives me time to get on that plane and leave. I don’t want to just get away from work, I want to leave my state completely. I finally get some sun, relaxation, and fun.
- Luckily, I have family on the southern east coast, which gives me time to get on that plane and leave. I don’t want to just get away from work, I want to leave my state completely. I finally get some sun, relaxation, and fun.
- Break from Parents and Co-Workers
- Sure, I work with some wonderful and amazing teachers. Yes, I have fabulous parents that are supportive and don’t scream at me every time they see me. Yet, I work with parents that think Joe Schmoe can do no wrong. I work with a teacher that rarely pulls her weight. By spring break–Bye Felecia.
- Sure, I work with some wonderful and amazing teachers. Yes, I have fabulous parents that are supportive and don’t scream at me every time they see me. Yet, I work with parents that think Joe Schmoe can do no wrong. I work with a teacher that rarely pulls her weight. By spring break–Bye Felecia.
- Calm before the Storm
- Oh, spring break….I love and loathe you. Spring break brings a time of rest, relaxation, and my blood pressure goes down significantly. My heartbeat is finally beating at a normal human level. Yet, spring break signals one thing–state testing. The bane of all teachers. I understand why state testing is needed and necessary. Sure. Yet, those weeks are complete torture for my kiddos. They stress out. I see anxiety come out for 10 year olds. They are told to be silent and sit still for hours. It’s rough. Spring break is fun, but it only signals what is to come.
- Oh, spring break….I love and loathe you. Spring break brings a time of rest, relaxation, and my blood pressure goes down significantly. My heartbeat is finally beating at a normal human level. Yet, spring break signals one thing–state testing. The bane of all teachers. I understand why state testing is needed and necessary. Sure. Yet, those weeks are complete torture for my kiddos. They stress out. I see anxiety come out for 10 year olds. They are told to be silent and sit still for hours. It’s rough. Spring break is fun, but it only signals what is to come.
- Signals Summer
- After spring break, and the dreaded testing season, it only means one thing–summer is on the horizon. Spring is like a Red Bull for teachers to get us through the next 8-9 weeks. A quick power up before the race to the finish line. If anything, it gives us a good reminder that we can make it and finish our year successfully!
- After spring break, and the dreaded testing season, it only means one thing–summer is on the horizon. Spring is like a Red Bull for teachers to get us through the next 8-9 weeks. A quick power up before the race to the finish line. If anything, it gives us a good reminder that we can make it and finish our year successfully!
All in all, have a wonderful spring break my friends! Travel. Relax. Sleep. Try not to work the entire week off. Visit family. Have fun! Finish your year strong!
xoxo
Your Wanderer
Teaching, Traveling, and Talking 