A Teacher on Vacation



It's summer and I know what you're thinking. Your child's teachers are all sipping mojito's on a beach somewhere or possibly sleeping their days away and you know what.. you're kinda right. I have been to the beach, I have taken a nap- side note, I'm super impressed by this because I'm not only a teacher, I'm a mom and let's face it, no matter what you do, it's nearly impossible for a mom to take a nap! Anyways, the fact of the matter is, when I'm on summer break I go on vacation, I drink.. a lot (shh) and I spend some very much needed time with my family. What you most likely don't think about though is that I take at least 2 hours a days, often much more, and devote that to improving my teaching

Yep, you heard me, I work... during the summer! And guess what, it's also unpaid work! Why on earth would I work for free during summer? Well, the answer to that is extremely simple. I work so that I can make the year better for my students and myself. I am taking continuing education classes so that I can keep my teaching certification. I am looking at all of my lesson plans and revamping some of them, throwing some completely out, and finding new ones  to try. I am searching Pinterest for alternative seating ideas, games, and organizational strategies. I'm doing all of this because I want my students to not only learn from the lessons I am teaching, I want them to be engaged and really enjoy their time at school. I want them to look forward to going to my class as opposed to sitting in my class because they have to. 

I take time away from my own children so that I can make the time I spend with your children better. Please let that sink in for a minute. I take time away from my own children so that I can make the time I spend with your children better. And, I am not the only teacher who does this. Teachers everywhere are taking their own time, and money to teach your children and to make their experience at school better. There is a common misconception that teaching is an easy job, that we have paid summers and holiday breaks, or that we do the bare minimum, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Everything I do is to make your child successful because I care about your child and their future. So, when you get that supply list and it's long, please know that everything on there is to make your child more successful. When your child gets a bad grade, please know that I spent that night thinking of ways to re-teach it to him/her. When I reach out to you about your child making a bad choice/acting up in class, know that I am bringing it to your attention because I care about them, not because I am picking on them. Please know that whatever I do, I am doing because I care about them and I want your child to be successful!

So yes, it is summer and I did take a very much needed break but also know that even through the break, I thought about your child and I am in the middle of prepping for an awesome year! 

Brittany Paige

I am a 6th grade teacher and mom. Like so many of us, I put my own ambitions aside and put my children and husbands needs before my own. Along the way I have realized, my ambitions matter too and therefore, I write. I am currently working on my first novel and taking the leap into freelance writing. If you would like to connect, you can follow me on Twitter @BrittPaigeBooks or follow my blog! https://twolittlemagnolias.blogspot.com/

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