Spring break has arrived! Yes! A much needed break and time to recoup and recover from three long months of teaching  and dealing with the politics of education.

Have you ever wondered why teachers need breaks? Well let me tell you. Teachers not only teach curriculum, handle daily/hourly/minute-by-minute issues; they also walk a fine line with regards to colleagues, communicate with parents, meet state and district timelines and test requirements. They grade, organize, plan, and create a learning environment which meets local and state regulations for fire codes. I never knew going into public teaching that so many hats would be required, but I must say they are worth every ounce of struggle, sweat, and sacrifice. The pay-off of seeing a struggling student learn a skill, a partially proficient student reach proficiency, and an emotional unstable student become stable because of their success far out-weighs all of the struggles, late nights, and pressure. I know, I know – I’m sounding preachy; but I have a reason… I meet people regularly who think teaching is just relaying a skill in a way in which a student can pick it up and do it. Teaching is so much more. It involves so much more effort than I ever gave it and it comes with so many more rewards that make every day worth the effort.

So I encourage you, if you know a teacher, give them a hug or a thank you today.