âOh, so you get summers off, right?â This question, frequently posed to teachers, is often followed with comments like âmust be niceâ or âlucky you.â
Sure, itâd be easy to go on the defensive, letting the person know about how many long hours and weekends you work during the school yearâand over the summer, tooâbut instead, we recommend responding with one of these handy memes.
1. When you just act surprised âŠ
In this response you really want to act shocked ⊠as if you had no idea it was part of the gig.Â
2. When you just canât seem to leave âŠ
Youâre still finishing grades, you have to pack up, youâre moving grades next year ⊠whatever the case, you know itâs summer. You just havenât been able to start enjoying it yet.Â
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3. When you get a bit emotional âŠ
Itâs easy to start thinking about all those days you donât really get paid for. It can make you a little sad. Sniff, sniff.Â
4. When youâre already getting emails about coming back to school âŠ
You donât even want to think about it right now!
5. When you sincerely try to offer an explanation âŠ
If only you could get them to understand.Â
6. When you get borderline angry âŠ
Youâre just looking out for your fellow teachers in this instance.Â
7. When you tell them what youâre REALLY doing this summer âŠ
How quickly those days get taken away!Â
8. When you try to recruit others âŠ
Admit it. Youâve totally tried to sell someone on teaching because of summers off.Â
9. When the payoff is finally here âŠ
You worked so much over the school year, and now youâre going to enjoy it!Â
10. When you start thinking of all the professional development you have to do âŠ
Why is there so much training in the summer? Canât it be during the school year?!Â
11. When you just embrace the sunshine âŠ
You are going to soak up as much, such as you can.Â
12. When you throw out a little sarcasm âŠ
This is when you have someone that you just donât want to deal with. Agree and throw some snark.Â
13. When you get real close and whisper âŠ
The closer the better on this one. They might think youâre a little weird, but itâll be worth it.Â
14. When you have to remind people of that âotherâ job âŠ
Youâre not sitting by the pool somewhere. Youâve got bills to pay.Â
15. When youâre admittedly a bit jealous when you hear about all the awesome plans of others âŠ
Youâd rather be vacationing in Europe, too.Â
16. When you just embrace it âŠ
Thereâs no reason to be apologetic or defensive.Â
17. When you want to make a teacher joke âŠ
This one is best used when there are other teachers in the crowd so they can stand with you in solidarity.Â
18. When you just canât agree âŠ
You want to just nod and smile, but you canât.Â
19. When you need to get Mr. T involved âŠ
Be clear, direct, and set them straight.Â
20. When you put them in their place âŠ
It takes a little time and effort to correct someone, but sometimes it just has to be done.Â
21. When youâre a tad jaded âŠ
Yes, thereâs some bitterness there. But itâs well deserved.Â
22. When youâre always in teacher mode âŠ
Is this you? Itâs okay to admit it if it is.Â
23. When youâre just happy because itâs true âŠ
No apologies. No defensive responses. Just pure happiness.Â
24. When youâre still waiting on that whole summers off thing âŠ
You were told it would happen, but youâve yet to really experience it for yourself.Â
No matter how much or little summer you get, enjoy it, teachers. After all, youâve earned it!
How do you respond when people ask you about summers off? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.