I love how my students talk about how I (i.e. teachers) have summers off -- like it's a good thing. Do they not know that "summers off" means I am revamping my classes, reevaluating assignments, creating calendars, finding new prompts (to minimize plagiarism), locating new readings, reading books about teaching (because we all know how much fun it is to read a textbook in your free time), and anyone of a number of other teaching-related things?

ALSO, do they not realize that, since I teach in college and I want to stay current and marketable, that I also do research and writing of my own (for "fun), apply to and/or present at conferences, submit to journals and publications, and other "fun" stuff like that?

I remember once upon a time when I also thought teachers had the life with weekends off. I'm pretty sure it started when I was in elementary school and my summers seemed to be lackadaisical and responsibility free, so you can imagine how glamorous a teacher's life seemed to be. Not only did they get summers off, but they were adults too! To a six year old, free time + adulthood = freedom to the extreme! -sigh- Those were the good ol' days! However, that belief changed when I became a teacher.

Summertime isn't here yet, I know. However, as mid-term grades have been submitted, we're on the verge of spring break, and summer plans are starting to be made...or at least discussed, I've begun to think about teaching, and summers, and how a responsibility free adulthood is a complete and utter farce. Pretty much like anything involving the Kardashians or television shows with the word "reality" in them.