Two Weeks Off and Now Back To Work
By DW Davis
@DWDavis (25812)
Pikeville, North Carolina
June 29, 2016 9:22am CST
Who Says Teachers Don't Work In The Summer? We do work, we just don't get paid for it. I've received my teaching assignment for next year. After four years away from it I will be teaching Seventh Grade Math again. While it won't be like teaching a completely new subject, there is a new curriculum - which looks a lot like Common Core but technically isn't since NC officially pulled out of Common Core - and a new textbook.
I will be spending a good bit of time this summer acquainting myself with the new curriculum, textbook, and pacing guide. I will be developing new lesson plans and determining how and when to bring in various multimedia teaching aides to help present the material.
I'm looking forward to the challenge.
14 people like this
17 responses
@Marilynda1225 (80018)
• United States
29 Jun 16
Guess many of us thought when teachers got the summer off that they were really off.
3 people like this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
29 Jun 16
Over the summer we work to improve our teaching practice, take classes, attend conferences, seminars, and institutes to learn what's new or changed in the profession, write or rewrite our lesson plans,and try to stay up to date on how technology impacts our students and can be incorporated into our classrooms.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
29 Jun 16
I do not think I have met either of those math teachers. I will have to make a effort to do so.
This will be the first year in a few I've taught math. Last year I taught science and social studies and the year before social studies and reading.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jun 16
Have you ever taught summer school?
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
29 Jun 16
Our state cut summer school out of its budget years ago. Instead, they "transfer" the student to the next grade and expect the receiving teacher to not only teach them everything they need for the next grade but to catch them up on all they didn't get the previous year. Needless to say, all that accomplished was more students falling farther behind.
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
29 Jun 16
@JohnRoberts That sounds like some of the summer day camps we have around here run by the 4-H, the Y, and other groups. Our summer school, when we had them, was for kids who'd failed their grade to have a chance to make it up and move up to the next grade before the next school year started.
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Jun 16
@DWDavis I went to summer school several times. It wasn't meant to have students catch up or for those fallen behind but a place for parents to stash kids with supervised activities. That was my experience.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Jun 16
Is math your favorite subject to teach, then?
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
30 Jun 16
@DWDavis - Ah. Social Studies and history were my favorites when I was a kid.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Jun 16
When I was in high school there were very jobs that females aspired to - teaching was one of them and one I never considered! School wasn't my thing. When I was an adult I signed up for an art class at my former high school - I went once...I didn't like being told what to do!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Jun 16
@DWDavis I'll tell you - I was in high school from 61-65 and most of my teachers were male and the two that were female were language teachers and not very nice. Some of the men teachers were rather stupid but that's a different story.
1 person likes this
@marky7 (563)
• Independence, Louisiana
10 Jul 16
Long time no see. One thing about elementary/middle school teachers we can teach all subjects. I have not been writing too much except for writing my nursing study guide. Hope your family is doing well this summer. Have fun with the lesson plans.
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
29 Jun 16
I think you need a raise.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
29 Jun 16
You are lucky in that regard. I taught seventh grade math for 12 years and got to the point I was doing it by rote and needed a change. My Principal made me a deal that if I'd get licensed in reading and social studies she'd let me teach those classes for a couple years until I was ready to get back into math. If she ever leaves our school, I'll know it's time for me to hang up my teacher hat.
@rina110383 (24495)
•
30 Jun 16
Math was my favorite subject during my elementary & high school years.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15772)
• Raurkela, India
29 Jun 16
Good, but then the school management should also consider the labour you are putting in and reward you accordingly.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
29 Jun 16
When I worked in the school system as an administrative assistant, I would often hear how teachers spent their time at home. A teacher rarely isn't working even when they are at home.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
29 Jun 16
I usually stay at school to get everything done because if I pack it up and bring it home I don't seem to get as much done as I do when I stay at school. Since my wife usually doesn't get home until late in the evening, and we have no children at home to take care of, staying late at school works out well. I don't have that option during the summer. Because of Workers' Comp teachers aren't even supposed to be on campus from mid-June to mid-August.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
29 Jun 16
Teachers really don't have much time off at all, most people know that I think. I am sure the challenge won't be too hard for you. =)
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
29 Jun 16
I have too many friends who work in education. I know teachers work in the summer. I also know that dedicated teachers are worth their weight in gold. Have fun though! 
1 person likes this
