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Teachers, Let 2023 Be the Summer of Saying No
Every teacher is aware of how important a summer break is. However, in light of recent events, we must be very firm in our “no.”
Despite the fact that I have a tonne of upcoming activities, this year is more about what I’m not doing.
I hope you will join me in vowing to say no, whatever is on your summer to-do list this year.
10 Things I Won’t Be Doing This Summer
1. Fretting about the failings of this school year
Nope. We’re not berating ourselves this summer, whether it was our own fault or the fault of a system that doesn’t look out for its own. My friend, leave your luggage at the front desk and proceed to the pool party.
2. Reading any books I’m less-than-excited about
Refuse to read anything that feels like a chore. Treat yourself to a book, whether it’s popular fiction, a book for teenagers, a book on a famous person, or your old favorite that you’ve read a hundred times.
3. Drinking sad coffee
Only available from September through May, petrol station coffee. This summer, I like iced coffee from the neighbor hood shop where even the ice cubes are made of coffee, ensuring that it is never diluted, or coffee in my favorite ceramic mug at home. You and I both deserve quality coffee during the summer holiday.
4. Watching half a movie
We’ve all engaged in it. When you start watching a movie in the evening, you either check your email or start dreading the 4 a.m. alarm. If you tell yourself, “I’ll finish this tomorrow,” before you know it, another movie has been added to your mental library of incomplete films.
I’m going to finish the darn movie this summer.
5. Teaching (or teaching-adjacent activities)
The district is sending letters concerning the historically low teacher attendance for summer school. Nope. not a part of that committee.
Professional development that is “mandatory” will last for the full two weeks off-contract? I’m sorry, but I need to get surgery to restore my commitment gland.
Someone “voluntells” you to give a presentation at a conference that requires several days of preparation. No. Your diarrheic is really explosive. ahead of time. (This exists.)
6. Wearing hard clothes
Dress socks, closed-toed shoes, trousers that aren’t very soft or stretchy, and shirts that need to be ironed are examples of clothing that I would classify as hard.
7. Ignoring my own kids for the betterment of someone else’s
This summer is about embracing my own children. Yes, I’ll join you in making baskets. Yes, I’ll read you a new chapter before you go to sleep. I’ll play cards with you, even if you break the rules.
8. Responding politely when someone disparages teachers
They’ll say, “Wish I had the summer off.”
“Yes,” I’ll reply, “it’s nice. I’m getting ready to question if this is the year I have to serve as a human shield for another year.
Already, I can smell the mountain air. My skin gets heated in the sun. The prospect of a few months spent improving myself rather than my students excites me as well. In the long term, I’m confident that my summer sabbatical will improve both my teaching and my whole character.