It is coming to the best and most chaotic time of the year….Summer Break. I am one of those people that tends to find the end of the year bitter sweet. I enjoy not having to do plans or grade, but I miss the schedule of each day. I could maintain the same time table at home and just fill in chores where lessons would be and often I plan for Just that. The problem comes at about two weeks in and I begin to forget what day it is and am not as enthusiastic about home improvement as I was before. But it’s only two weeks, right? Two weeks can seem like an eternity.

For those of you in the private sector, you can’t quite feel the same about summer as teachers might feel. You think that it is all just fun and games which it is at times, but it also takes a toll on me personally. I am not complaining about the break believe me. I enjoy having my days to myself, but I can get into a funk that I can’t seem to shake. The depression struggle is indeed real.

I have often thought about why I feel so down during the summer. I can’t quite pin point an exact reason, but it does have a bit to due to the schedule. Another reason I feel a bit down is the letting go of students that I have put time and effort in getting to know them as people only to have to say goodbye at the end of the four years. I do not know of another career that works like that.

I honestly love what I do. I have tried other jobs and there is nothing like teaching. Is it difficult at times? Yes. Is it emotional at times? Also yes. Are there days when I want to run out the door screaming at the top my lungs? Absolutely yes. With all that being said, I still wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I have been truly fortunate in my eighteen years as a teacher. I have had great classes for the most part. There are always a few that can absolutely drive me to tears, but a teacher has to be strong if you want to survive. This year has been a very good year with a tad bit of crazy mixed in.

So, in two weeks I will be free yet again to squander my days away trying to motivate myself to get up and move. As a teacher, I am always giving students advice on various topics. I tell them to give their best and to learn something new every day. Good advice, right? If only I followed the advice I give to them.

So where does this leave me two weeks from now? Saturday I will say goodbye to another class. The following week I will spend getting my sophomores ready to take finals. We will review, discuss, and finally they will say goodbye until early August.

As for me, I have quite a bit of home improvement to do. I have a painting project, carpet removal, and unpacking(I have been here in my home for six years) and straightening my basement. I have plenty of work to keep me busy all summer. All I need to do is focus, get out of bed, and move. Even if I complete a few things each day, I will still make progress.

To my fellow educators, have a relaxing and productive summer break. I know how much it is needed and deserved. For my friends in the private sector, I hope you at least get to vacation somewhere Awesome.

Until next time,

Cat