In the News

School Is Never Out for Teachers

Author Carmel Martin discusses the myths surrounding teachers' summer breaks.

In May, the Goddard, Kansas school district uploaded a YouTube video in which a handful of elementary school students are asked a simple question: “What do you think your teacher does over the summer?” In between giggled answers of “goes to the pool” and “plays games,” one astute youngster had a different answer: “On summer it’s always going to be Saturday, so she’s going to be at home working on her computer,” he said. “And she’s going to come back to school and teach us something else.”

The myth that summer break affords teachers a restful, stress-free vacation has long plagued teachers, many of whom spend their summers working a second job, teaching summer school, taking professional development courses or preparing for the year to come.

The above excerpt was originally published in U.S. News & World Report. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

Carmel Martin

Distinguished Senior Fellow