To students, the day that summer ends is like a funeral. They mourn the days they didn't get to fully enjoy, and dread the coming days of work and schedules.
But to teachers? The last day of summer is like an old friend leaving for the umpteenth time. It's bittersweet. We'll miss Summer. But the coming adventures in the classroom are something to look forward to. Summer and teachers pick up right where they left off. There is no mourning...at least not until mid-October (that's when the need for a personal day ALWAYS begins tempting me).
This was a great summer. I'm not mourning at all.
I just posted this on Facebook tonight about my summer adventures:
"Signs of a Successful Summer:
A visit to cooler climates to see marvelous friends.
A week at the beach, soaking up sun and laughter with Samantha.
An INCREDIBLE week of youth camp with Delta Chi.
LOTS of time with my Lesslie/Hada family AND my Blain family.
TWO family engagements, which means TWO new sisters.
For King and Country with one of OKWU's summer ministry teams.
Road-tripping with my favorite fella.
A tour of the convent.
Game night with fellow teachers.
One-on-one time with lovely teens.
Baking? Check.
Painting? Check.
Sleeping? Check.
Reading? Check.
House organized? Check!
Yep. I'd say this summer was successful!"
I need to remember this so that when October hits, and especially when May slowly peeks its head around the corner and the chaos of end-of-the-year begins, I can remember that every long marathon of a day, every research paper graded, every cranky student, and every "well meaning" parent were completely worth it.
And Summer will be visiting to pick up where we left off again.
I've heard many comments this summer about how teachers "have it made; they only teach nine months a year and get paid a full salary."
Yes... we do... but we're also exhausted. We take our work (even though every wise college professor tells us not to) home with us. And our work does not just include grading. It includes the burdens of our students. The drama of those "well-intended" parents. The kick-back of nationally inducted fix-alls to education that will only last for five or six years until the next fix-all comes along and the cycle repeats itself all over again.
I'm proud of what I do, and I love that I get to do it, but summer is my reprieve.
However, I cannot lie. I'm so excited for the beginning of a fresh school year I may have trouble sleeping tonight.
Last year was a great year teaching in Kansas. I work with an incredible team of teachers and administrators, and I loved my students. It was a grueling year, though. I was exhausted with all of the extra curriculars I picked up (Scholars' Bowl, SADD, after prom, and softball), but they were worth the exhaustion.
God has called me to teach so that I can live in such a way that others can see Him. Education, like so many of the jobs you all fill and feel called to, is a mission field. I fail so often at being his hands and feet. But I am called to merely plant seeds. God will grow and nourish those seeds.
The exhaustion is worth it, because I know I'm not doing it alone. Even if I don't see the harvest, I know the crops will flourish under the Son.
And Summer will visit again. We'll smile at one another, jump right back into our last conversation, and play until the departure calls again.
I have the best job in the whole world. I get to be a teacher.
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