I think one of the bigger myths out there is that educators get a lot of time off. While it is nice that we have some time off in the summer to recharge our batteries, it’s also true that the summer time isn’t just sitting around doing nothing. All the districts I have worked for have required some amount of professional development hours to be obtained over the summer and usually there are random things that need to happen over the summer (ie – curriculum writing, leading trainings, interviews, etc.). By no means am I complaining especially since my whole family is off during this time, but it did strike me odd how I personally torpedo any chance of a restful, school-absent summer break.
The main way I do this is because I generally enjoy presenting and training educators. It’s one of the main reasons I moved out of the classroom and into my current role. I love sharing my knowledge with others and this also forces me into my next way to take up summer break.
There are some trainings that only happen during the summer. My district offers a handful of these and many outside entities offer summer professional development. I started the Google Certified Coach curriculum this summer because they recommended completing a large portion of it before the school year started. I need to be constantly learning and engaging in new learning opportunities so I can continue to push the faculty at my school and be prepared for creative solutions to problems.
Lastly, there is one sentence that keeps me up some nights thinking about…”it’s what’s best for kids”. The students at my state/district/school deserve the best most prepared educators. My small contribution to this is making sure the teachers and administration have the most competent, well prepared version of me they can.
I think that last reason is why most teachers became teachers in the first place. To do what’s best for kids.