“It must be nice to be paid not to work in the summer!”

If you had a dollar for every time you’ve heard that, right?

It’s amazing how many people are unaware that most teachers spend their summers working a second job, teaching summer school, attending professional development, and/or doing curriculum mapping. And nearly all of us spend at least part of our summers working more unpaid hours preparing for the fall and shopping (with our own money) on things for the classroom.

There are also many people who don’t realize that summer is NOT a paid holiday for teachers. Many of us don’t get a penny during the summer, and those who do are actually paying themselves with money they’ve set aside from their paychecks throughout the year.

I found this image on Pinterest last year and I still think it’s the best explanation of how some teachers get summer paychecks:

I posted that on Facebook recently and some commenters shared their favorite responses to the misconception that teachers get a paid 8 week vacation every summer:

• It’s money they owe me for work I’ve already done! (Valerie M.)
• Teaching is a year round thing. I’m already planning classroom ideas for next school year. (Cynthia G.)
• I worked enough hours through the school year that I’m just finally getting paid for those 60-65 hour weeks….not to mention being laid off without pay over those dang holiday breaks. (Charlotte S.)
• Oh, I DO work twelve months–but I have to get it done in only NINE!” (Michael Y.)
• I work hard during the school year and almost as hard in the summer. So the days I do spend on me, I feel I earned. (Kelly S.)
• I’m blessed with a teaching job that allows me to tan. I get paid my regular pay on the days I get paid during the year. God bless the rest that don’t have that luxury. (Maggie M.)
• I have 2 jobs year round and take extra hours at my second job during the summer. If anyone complains, I tell them to just become a teacher too! (Rebecca C.)
• Regardless of contractual calendar, teachers prepare year-round. Most sign contracts for 180-185 service days and the rest is basically volunteered service given to the profession to which they felt called as public servants.I hope each teacher gets their earned rest so they can greet our children and grandchildren with that genuine welcoming smile, opening the door to the joy of learning. (Kelly S.)
• Anyone who says that to you doesn’t deserve a response. (M.O.)

How do you respond to people who say,  “It must be nice to have an 8 week paid vacation”?