Teachers...do you get a summer job?

[SDFgirl]

Teachers - do you work during the summer? If so, what do you do?

I'm starting my first teaching job today. I don't have kids, and was tossing around the idea of working this summer. The money certainly would be nice...and without kids, I'm not sure if I would get bored all summer at home. But, there's a big part of me that wants to enjoy the time off.

What do you do?

 

[mickey65]

You might find out that teachers don't *really* have the summer off. ;-)

 

[soccerchick]

Before kids I would do some part-time work in the summer. I did soccer camps and worked retail (Bath and Body Works). The soccer camps were about 2 hours a day at night for four weeks (parks and rec program) and my shifts at BBW varied, but were usually 4 hours 3-4 times a week.

I also taught a full session of summer school once, but that really left me burned out when school started. I did continue to sub for summer school until I had kids.

Summer is a great time to take classes without the stress of doing your own planning and grading at the same time. I usually take one class per summer (I prefer the one week courses for vacation purposes).

Now that I have two kids, my summers are devoted to family time. I still read voraciously and create/modify lesson plans, esp. early in the morning or late at night when they are asleep. I also still take classes, but look for ones that around my children's needs.

 

[ADisneygirl]

No, I don't get another job in the summer -- I've been looking foward to the time off!

Maybe because I was a SAHM for many years, I enjoy the time we have off from school. I love planning vacations, doing my stuff around the house, and being with the kids. (even though they are older now)

 

[golfgal]

I had part time jobs in the summers when I was teaching. Like others have said, summer is a time where most teachers take their classes for their continuing education/Master's work. I know most of the elementary teachers at the kids' school spend quite a bit of time in their classrooms over the summer changing boards, getting things ready for fall, etc. I taught high school so most of my prep work could be done at home, lesson plans, etc.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

My DH does thank goodness! Provides extra money for that WDW trip

 

[castleview]

DH is a high school teacher who coached three sports - one a season - before we had kids. So he certainly deserved the summer to gear up for the next year. The classes still go on though. He's finished with his masters and is wondering whether to go for the sixth year degree. He's not sure if he should cross to the dark side and be an administrator.

 

[mskay]

Even before we had DD, I didn't work in the summer. I used the time to catch up on projects around the house, we would go on vacation, and I would visit with friends that I never had much time to see during the school year. The eight weeks off go by really quickly!

 

[horseshowmom]

I don't, but DH has taught summer school the last few years. He's not going to this coming summer though.

 

[Pam]

Teachers - do you work during the summer? If so, what do you do?

I'm starting my first teaching job today. I don't have kids, and was tossing around the idea of working this summer. The money certainly would be nice...and without kids, I'm not sure if I would get bored all summer at home. But, there's a big part of me that wants to enjoy the time off.

What do you do?

I'm not a teacher (but my BIL and SIL both are and they take the summer off and relax and travel).

Totally OT - but how was your wedding and when do we get to see pics? After all - you picked a GREAT date to get married on!!

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

Before I had kids, I had a part time job that lasted all year - but I was never able to have a summer only job. The main problem is that it is really only two months off for us here, not three. Not very long to get hired on and then quit on them. Also, the week after school gets out, throughout July and the week before school, there is always staff development. Some optional and some not. Finally, even though the school always has a day when teachers have to report back to work, I have found that it is never enough time to get my room ready because of all the meetings they have scheduled for us. If I want to get all my stuff done, I have to go back two or three days ahead of the start date - even if they aren't full days.
Good luck!

 

[poohbear2]

At this time, I work a second part-time job all year long. I am also working on my Masters which is full-time. I'm keep hoping to be able to quit my second job but I don't think its going to happen for awhile.

 

[JELBoggio]

Personally, I would use the summer to recharge my batteries!

But one easy job would be to tutor during the summer. You can set your own days/hours. I taught until my DD (5) was born and don't plan to teach again until DS (4) is in school full-time. I tutor now at night both during the school year and during the summer. It's a great way earn some money and it gets me out doing something in the teaching profession.

 

[jimmiej]

I paint (houses).

 

[Daxx]

Summers are spent w/DS9, kicking back, relaxing at the beach, going to WDW, the county fair, goofing around and just vegging out! DS9 is too young and summers are too short to give them up w/work!!! Soon enough, DS9 won't want have anything to do w/me ... so I enjoy it while I have it!!!

Of course, this all comes in between 3 mandatory conferences, setting up my room, getting ready for my new students, planning, etc.! I use my morning time wisely ... and get to have the rest of the day for "us" things!

 

[KarenB]

This is my third year and I will be taking required graduate credit courses this summer. I will also be improving the lessons I taught this year. I will take a few days to clean out my room.It is amazing how much stuf you can accumulate in few years.

Karen

 

[Living with the Land]

My aunt moves to the beach every summer and waitresses in a bar. She makes almost as much money in that summer then she does the rest of the year teaching. She usually works until 2:30am then sleeps a few hours and goes to spend the day on the beach.

Holly

 

[LBAK]

I either taught summer school or worked in a day camp. Now I rest. Actually I am hoping to open up a preschool in Sept. so this summer might be very busy.

 

[escape]

I worked as a summer temp at WDW with several teachers many, many years ago. We had the best time!

 

[JoyG]

For the first three years that I was a teacher, I also worked at Victoria's Secret. In the beginning, it was because I really needed the extra money, paying for my masters degree, and student loans, etc. By the end, I was just hanging on because of the free bras and discounted merchandise! After a while I got embarrassed by working retail in the local mall...I'd see my students and their families come in and have to try to sell them underwear...it started to undermine my credibility.

For two summers I did summer school. That was good pay, but the following school years were brutal because I was soooo burned out.

Now I don't work during the summer for pay, but I do spend 4 weeks going to half day inservices which will eventually increase my pay scale.

Joy