How to Explain ‘Summer Break’ to Non-Teachers Without Rolling Your Eyes

An Open Letter from Every Teacher Who’s Ever Heard “Must Be Nice…”

Dear World’s Well-Meaning (But Slightly Clueless) Non-Teachers,

First, let me say: I love you. I really do. But if I had a dime for every time you said,
“You get summers off? Must be nice,”
I’d have a stack tall enough to build a lounge chair for my non-existent beach vacation.

Let’s clear the sand from our eyes, shall we?

What You Think My Summer Looks Like:

• Me: poolside, sunglasses, drink with an umbrella
• Reality: Eyebags, stacks of laundry, and the distant sound of an email notification I’m definitely ignoring

What Actually Happens:

• Catching up on doctor’s appointments I haven’t made since last August.
• Relearning my own children’s names.
• Working that “fun side job” (read: grading papers at a coffee shop, just for a change of scenery).
• Rebooting my brain after nine months of “Billy, put your pencil down.”

But Hey, At Least I’m Not:

• Setting my alarm for 5:30 AM (for at least three days—victory!)
• Living off hallway snacks and caffeine
• Wearing anything with “spirit day” on it

So, Next Time You Say:

Must be nice…

Just remember, my summer break is brought to you by months of classroom chaos, standardized testing, and the kind of emotional stamina you only get by wrangling 27 third graders the week before holiday break.

With love (and maybe a tiny bit of sass),
Every Teacher, Everywhere

Been there. Done that. And yes, I’ve got the t-shirt to prove it.
Check out the “If I Had a Dime” T-Shirt right here.