#teacherlife

The custodian came in and asked if we (preschool) had the same schedule as the elementary school next week for Thanksgiving Break. I told him we had the entire week off, but that I would be going in Monday even though I wasn't scheduled. He said, "Ya, that's what all the other teachers do too- and you guys always work 10-12 hour days even when you're not supposed to, because that's what you need to do." 

I laughed and said #teacherlife...

Sadly it is. 
Sad because teachers feel under-appreciated, misunderstood, over-worked, and under-paid!
Sad because even with those 10-12+ hours a day, there still isn't enough time to do everything you need to do.
Sad because those things that make teaching FUN and enjoyable for you and your students gets pushed to the back-burner so you can finish reports to show the government how good of a teacher you are.
Sad because the government doesn't care if you do it "right"- you only get punished for doing it "wrong".
Sad because the government's idea of right is so, SO wrong.

But then you think of those 20-30 little ones depending on you to show up to class the next day with a smile on your face, a warm greeting, and an engaging lesson planned.

So you do it.  

You do it all- you do what needs to be done to placate the government, advocate for your students, and find ways to inspire those young minds despite being stifled by administration regulations.

And when one person mentions how he sees, he SEES the teachers being over-worked, it helps a little in the "feeling misunderstood" department.

Cheers to all my hard-working, over-worked, under-paid teachers! Here's to 1 more day (ok, 2) and then Thanksgiving Break [where I will try NOT to do too much work. Except I know I will. Because that's what I have to do.] 

#lifeofateacher