Summertime

Summer vacation is just around the corner for the school kids in my town. And, if you are a teacher like me, you are ready to breathe a big sigh of relief. Love my job as I do, I must admit the final days are like slaying dragons as we face classrooms full of little peeps, itchy for anything but the final course objectives. But, we will put our armor on, grab our shields and get the job done.

There are certainly a few things I will not miss once the calendar is blinking at me a little less relentlessly. One of them is the incessant queuing up of e-mails each day. Just when I think I've gotten them culled and under control, another round of neediness starts marching across the screen. Some of my favorites are the following.

1) From a parent: “Lester is out of medication for the rest of the week. I told him he needs to do his best to keep things under control.”

Time for me to up my medication and hang on for the ride

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2) From the counselor’s office: “You will be getting a new student today. She will be in your 5^th period class.”

Goodie. That’s the largest and naughtiest class with one seat open next to Pat who has the social skills of a porcupine. Time for a new seating arrangement.

3) From the lead secretary: “The district is short of substitutes today. Please let us know which of the following classes you can cover.”

Hmmm. I guess I’ll hire the elves to correct my papers, set up my lab and plan next week’s lessons.

4) From the administration: “Today’s practice fire drills have been cancelled due to inclement weather. They will be rescheduled for a later date.”

Good news. We won’t have to stand outside in the sleet. Bad news. It will probably be rescheduled to the only day I have the computer lab. Be flexible.

5) From the district’s main office: “This year’s extra snow days will need to be made up by more inservice time at the end of the school year for teachers.”

We survived three days of a declared state of emergency when the ice storm hit, I guess we can survive three days of professional development. More coffee, please.

There are a few things I will miss now that the school year is coming to a close. Just like the kids, I will miss starting my day with my friends. There is nothing like having a cup of coffee with folks who share the same trials and triumphs that you do. Together we always make the challenges of the day a little less daunting and of course, we aren't afraid to solve the world’s problems, either.

I will also miss the funny things kids do. And nothing says fun and drama like an adolescent trying to figure out how to become an adult. On second thought, maybe I won’t miss that part.

Yes, it is time to say goodbye to the kids, turn off the alarm clock, dig out a pair of flip-flops and kick back with a good book.

Hello, summer.

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