In Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, the song “Take a Break” has the following exchange:
Eliza Hamilton: Angelica, tell this man John Adams spends the summer with his family.
Alexander Hamilton: Angelica, tell my wife John Adams doesn’t have a real job anyway.
Hamilton’s message is clear and a bit superior: no one with a “real job” is able to take an extended break.
I know that Miranda is a fan and supporter of educators, but let’s make this totally clear: teachers have real jobs. I don’t know of a more taxing job on a day-to-day basis; the extended summer break is an opportunity for kids to express their creativity, experience the world, and learn beyond the walls of a classroom, but it is also just as importantly a necessary time for teachers to recharge their emotional, mental, and physical wells.
Teachers have high expectations, low salary for their education, and are often the ones literally rescuing kids from emotionally, physically, or mentally damaging situations.
Today most K-12 teachers are starting or wrapping up their Spring Break. The week will revitalize them enough to give, give, give for the rest of the year.
Thank you, teachers. Enjoy your well-deserved and deeply needed rest.