Most K12 educators have now completed the 2018-2019 academic year. Many have taken to social media to comment in different ways about the end of the year. The comments express a wide range of sentiments.
I react to some of these comments with mild annoyance. I admit it. More significantly, I think, I am concerned with the public perception these comments may generate. The tweets I have in mind combine two elements – 1) we work hard and 2) we deserve time to recharge because our jobs are demanding. If others feel they also work hard and aren’t given the time to recharge, you might imagine why you promoting a deserved rest would be somewhat annoying. The people who work at Amazon distribution centers work hard and aren’t well compensated. Nurses work hard, sometimes with significant stress, and without a three month break to recuperate. etc.
I tried to come up with a different perspective and generated a series of tweets that seemed to be well received. I tried to think of an occupation that had annual on and off seasons and hit on professional athletes. I think there are some useful similarities – I am guessing athletes could loaf during their off season, but most take a different approach. They work on their skills. They do recuperate and rehab.
Tweet1 – It is the off season for educators. Online voices argue it is time to relax and others it is time to learn. Public is watching these proclamations.
Tweet2 – I don’t usually reply to my own tweets, but the responses I received have encouraged this extension. With social media, I think it important educators describe their off season carefully. Lots of people work hard and do so year round. This is why I prefer off season to vacation
Tweet3 – Consider that off season as used by athletes still implies you are working on your skills to improve. Yes, when necessary, you also let your body recover.
This perspective on in and out of season activities is one way of thinking about some occupations. I have a broader perspective that goes something like this. People have a general understanding concerning what different vocations demand and offer. Once they identify those occupations they have the time, resources, and aptitude to prepare for, they make personal decisions to prepare for those remaining options that are most personally desirable. I think teachers treat June, July, and August in different ways. Some work at improving their job related skill set. Some work at other income generating opportunities. Some spend time with family and in leisure pursuits. Most and sometimes depending on their stage of life do some combination of the above.
I think it is in poor taste to publicly argue that you deserve this or that. There are some things I think we all deserve. There are other things I wouldn’t put into this category and how hard you work falls into this category. I can handle minor annoyances unless provoked. When annoyed, I try to remember that I made my choice and others have done the same. The country faces a teacher shortage and the required preparation is easy enough to understand.