Back to School!

Well, it’s started. Once again, we heard those three dreaded words: Back to School. Only an experienced teacher can truly appreciate everything involved with them.

First of all, this year set a record. It was July7 when I first saw “Back to School” items at Meijer. July 7? Really? Can’t we just enjoy our summer in peace, without bombardment from the corporate establishment reminding us of our next obligation?

Now for all you non-teachers, the ones with real jobs: No I’m not complaining. And honestly, most teachers really like what they do. I’m just saying the changing of the gears is a tough move. No, we’re not asking for sympathy. That would be pretty foolish (yes, feel sorry for us poor teachers that after 10 weeks of summer bliss we actually have to work for our living!) Somehow that just wouldn’t fly.

But honestly, unless you’re a teacher, you just can’t appreciate the emotions, as well as the practical changes, that take place. You have to relearn things all over again.

• You live your life according to bells.
• You go to the bathroom when you’re allowed, not when you have to.
• You eat in 18 minutes
• You wear real clothes
• You go extended periods under sleep deprivation (well some of us do anyway.)
• You always - always!- feel like you’re just not quite prepared for the next class
• You constantly try to reinvent the wheel, because you’re sure the last wheel is now flat!
• Your first name becomes “Mr.”
• You remember that just because you’ve said something three times, that doesn’t mean a teenager will actually have heard it.
• You remember that all children are perfect; just ask their parents. (Yes, Mrs. Manson, I’m sure that deep down inside, Charles is really a very sweet child)
• The alarm clock becomes important again.
• The book you just started in August is still, well, just started.

Now if you’re still wondering what all the noise is about from all of us over-paid underworked teachers, ask a newly retired person what they’re doing with all their free time, and you’ll most likely get an answer like this “Free time? What free time? I’m so busy, I have no idea how I survived when I was working.”  Or something like that. Now imagine it’s like that for 10 weeks, you get into the groove of being “retired,” then you have to go back to work full time. You find immediately that you have no time to do anything. Of course, after a while, you readjust to the new norm. But it takes a while.That’s kinda the situation.

Of course, if you’re not a teacher, I’m not sure how you could ever understand.