Why being a teacher is the best decision I ever made…

Wow,

I did not expect that many people to read my last blog post! I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who read it, shared it or clicked on the link and left after a couple of sentences. 😉 Starting a blog is something I’ve wanted to start even before I became a teacher. I am so happy I get to share my thoughts with you. Ok, now I am off my soap box. (for now..)

Two weeks ago, my boyfriend Matt and I went to a mini golf course. It was on a Saturday and it was super busy. In front of us was an oldish couple and in front of them was a huge group of people. Finally, the couple turned around and asked us to join them. After several holes, they started asking us where we were from and what we did for a living. This is a conversation I love and hate having with strangers. This conversation can go two ways. Thankfully, it went the second way.

First way: “Oh You’re a teacher?! WOW, you must have so much patience. Bless your heart. I bet you love children. Oh, Kindergarten? WOW! You must love crafts and lots of hugs.”

But, this couple didn’t say ANY of that. This is what was actually said:

“That is amazing. Teachers in my book have so much respect. Where did you go to school? Good for you. I bet you are an amazing teacher. You are teaching the future of America. Thank you so much.”

I could have hugged them right there. (& honestly, they probably would have let me.)

Becoming a teacher was the best decision I’ve ever made because I have a passion for education. I believe each child deserves the best education they could ever receive. They deserved to be loved on, understood and cared for. Do I love crafts!? DUH. But, I love the “ugly side” of teaching too. The worry about your students. The wondering if they are making friends and so much more.. But I also love the amazing side of teaching. Unlimited hugs forever, the “I love you, Ms. Hilburn!”, the pictures they colored at home because they were thinking of you over the weekend and I love the look on their face when they FINALLY get something after much trial and error. I love the sweet conversations of “let’s play on the playground together!” or “Want to sit with me at lunch?”. Yes, teaching is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Im exhausted by 3:30 but I LOVE it. It brings me constant joy. I love working with parents to prepare their student. I love receiving emails from parents of past students telling me they are still thankful for the impact I’ve made in their lives. I love creating a love for education in each student. I love watching these students grow over the entire school year.

In college, they don’t prepare you for everything when it comes to having your own classroom. They can’t possibly prepare you for every scenario you will encounter. They educate you on the content on your field. They tell you the best strategies to teach guided reading and math. What they can’t possibly prepare you for is the passion that grows each year. Or how it doesn’t get easier to tell your students goodbye in June. Or how you will care about your students as if they are your own children.

Listen, I knew when I decided to become a teacher I wouldn’t be a millionaire. (Even though it’s totally deserved, but that’s for another blog post.) But, I had no idea I would gain so much more. Even though I have to drink 3 cups of coffee, work after-hours & skip lunch almost daily, being a teacher is the best decision I’ve ever made.

-Ms. Hilburn

FACT: Summer is NOT a teacher’s vacation.

image from BOREDTEACHERS

 

Hello love,

Yes, I know. I have SLACKED off. Honestly, I haven’t felt motivated. I’ve been tired. This season has been a tough one. With all that being said, I AM BACK!

As I am writing this blog, I am procrastinating by ordering textbooks about curriculum and instruction while listening to a free webinar about behavior. I’ve kind of already proven my point, huh?

I mean really. Do people think we have the summers off?!  Anyways, I just want to settle the debate: SUMMER is not a teacher’s vacation!

Here are the facts:

1. We do not get “paid for the summer”. Our pay that we earned for the school year is broken into a full year instead of a school year. Honestly, I prefer it this way but I just wanted to make it clear that we don’t get paid for the summer. (Still with me? Cool.)
2. Most of us (like a lot of us) have summer jobs or “side hustles”. For instance, I work at Starbucks and I LOVE it. FREE coffee. It’s a teacher’s dream. I also love interacting with people. Making coffee is pretty cool too. Most of my teacher friends either work at the school for summer camps, further their side business or take on a part time job over the summer. Do you work on vacation? Didn’t think so.
3. We don’t get as much time off as one would think! Most schools get out for the summer either late May or early June. Those same schools also start back mid-August. Teachers come back over the summer to either work on their classrooms or participate in Professional Development. The magic of a classroom environment does not happen overnight. We are in our classrooms moving furniture, decorating and organizing to create the magic that your student will experience over the next school year. Although I love decorating my classroom, it is NOT vacation.
4. #TeacherBrain. No matter how hard we try, we can not turn off our teacher brain. For the first week of summer, we are thinking about our babies. We are hoping they are safe. We are hoping their birthday party they could not stop talking about before summer went well. We are hoping they are getting plenty to eat. We are hoping they are outside enjoying their summer instead of inside on an iPad. You see, we are ALWAYS thinking about school. If we aren’t thinking about our students that just left our class, we are thinking about the brand new ones who will enter our class in August. If we aren’t thinking about our sweet babies, we are wondering “How can I better myself?”. If we aren’t planning a new behavior management idea for our classroom, we are researching effective procedures to implement the next year. Do you think and worry about work on vacation?

Now, I hope I didn’t offend you. Teachers are just tired of hearing that summer is a vacation and we are SO lucky to “have 3 months off of work” when it’s the furthest thing from the truth. Am I going on several vacations this summer and spending much needed R&R by the pool? YOU BET! But, I am also educating myself, preparing for my new students and creating magic in my classroom.

So next time you see a teacher, just say “thank you”!

I hope you all are enjoying your “vacations”! 😉

-Ms. Hilburn