To those who tell us we get summers off

This is going to be a rant and, most likely, very redundant.<br><br>For the last three months, I have worked my ass off. I've learned how to use multiple new online platforms, battled with technology that should work but doesn't, and created and given lessons that, let's be honest, few students are getting. I've been called names I can't repeat in public, battled with parents who don't think it's my fault but take it out on me anyway, and, all in all, have put in probably triple the hours that I do during a normal school year. <br><br>I've been spit on. I've had parents call to yell at me because their son or daughter has decided to play video games all day instead of doing their work. I've had students sign into class late, and either tell me to "fuck off" or just log off when asked about it. <br><br>And this isn't the usual handful of misbehaved students. No, this is about 30-40% of the students I interact with. <br><br>All while our president says we are doing a "spectacular" job. The same president who took the money that was supposed to go to us and gave it to the football and soccer teams. <br><br>I went to a normal, public university and worked my butt off to get where I am. I make (after 20+ years) less than 60k a year. I pay 25% of my income for medical insurance for myself and my family. I work in one of the most dangerous schools in the nation. My brother, who dropped out of college after a year and decided to join the military, makes more than double what I do. With better benefits. <br><br>I'm tired. I'm exhausted, both physically and mentally. I'm sick of being called names. I'm sick of parents telling me I don't "get it" because I'm "stuck in the past." I'm sick of having to defend my profession to people I used to call friends, who now tell me I'm lazy, I don't care about my students, and that I should just be happy to have a job, even if I have to risk getting sick and dying to keep it. <br><br>I'm a teacher, a paramedic, a counselor, a baby-sitter, a mentor, an advisor, a friend, and a parental figure five days a week. I have spent my own money to feed my students, pay for their school fees, buy them shoes (yes, really) and make sure they have clean clothes to wear. I've gone without meals to make sure my students who can't afford lunch have something to eat. I've had students die in my arms, break their neck and die right in front of me, and I've had students commit suicide. I've held a friend as she took her last breath, I've held a fellow teacher as she told me her son had committed suicide.<br><br>And you know what? I would do it all again if it meant I was helping someone. <br><br>But you know what? I'm tired of being told how Lucky I am. I'm tired of being told that I get summers off, that I get Spring Break and Christmas Break and Thanksgiving, all while I work through most of them. I'm tired of people who have never set foot in a classroom telling me what I do. I'm tired of people telling me I've chosen the wrong profession, that it's not for me, that I should just find another job. <br><br>I know this is long, but if you've read this far, thank you. I needed to get this off of my chest. And to those of you who feel the way I do, well, hang in there, colleagues. This too shall pass.<br><br>Edit 1: Wow, this has blown up. I'm trying to respond as I can, but I'm still getting 20 minute intervals between responses. I am overwhelmed by the kindness and support from people I don't even know and, quite frankly, am more than a little grateful for it. Thank you all for your kindness. <br><br>Edit 2: For those calling me a Democrat, I am actually a Republican. I just can't stand our president. Please stop making assumptions about people you don't know. <br><br>Edit 3: I'm going to say this as calmly as I can. Stop telling me to "find another job." I've spent 20 years on this profession and I'm not about to just change because some people who have never been in my shoes decide they know better than I do. I've had students beg me not to quit, I've had parents ask me to please not leave because I'm the only teacher they trust. No, I'm going to continue to fight. You can tell me to change professions all you want. I'm going to keep fighting for my profession and my students.