Why do you teach?

Today was day two of summer school for me!

I have big plans of teaching you all of the things I learned at last week's balanced literacy conference.... unfortunately, that post is scrambled somewhere in between my ears coming soon!

Tonight, I wanted to write a quick post of inspiration.


Being a teacher is such a challenging job.

We work double time during the school year and would do anything for our kids.

The summertime is our chance to rest, relax, and make all of those pins on pinterest recover.

But let's face it, most of us teachers are spending more time researching best practices, reading ideas from other teachers, working in our rooms, attending workshops, and thinking about what we can do better next year during our "Time Off"

I have to admit that on the first day of my summer break, I was BORED.OUT.OF.MY.MIND.

Then I realized, Duh!  How else would someone who has been going a thousand miles an hour for ten months feel when they are suddenly traveling at Zero mph?

Don't you hate it when other people *ahem* put our profession down because we get two months of vacation?  Insert tangent I will spare you.

Once, a friend asked me, "Is teaching worth it when you work so hard during the school year and having the summers off?  Wouldn't you rather have a bit of work spread throughout your year?"

I've thought long and hard about this.  I did not take it lightly.

My answer is yes, it is worth it.

The stress and pressure that overcomes my world during the school year is worth it to me.

Here's why.

The feeling I get when I realize this was what I was created for is like nothing else in life.  

I only have that feeling after I take a sabbatical.

When one removes themselves from a situation, they can see the beauty from afar.


Yesterday, the first day of summer school, I picked up my students (second grade students, most of whom I had two years ago in first grade!) from the cafeteria.  The students didn't know who their teacher would be, since it was at the new campus and only for four weeks.

When they realized it was me, I saw bright smiles, high fives, and uncontrollable bouncing.

It has been such a sweet joy to reunite with some of my students again and help them along in their learning.

This is what life is all about.



As you are laying on the beach, reading that professional book, or surfing through pinterest, enjoy every second.  You deserve it.

And soon, the world of fresh pencils, lunchboxes, and tattling will come flooding back-bringing with it-the feeling of it being all worthwhile.

I teach in order to inspire the learner onward.

Why do you teach?