Last updated on March 28th, 2024 at 01:19 am
When school’s finally out for the summer, it’s debateable who’s more thrilled: the students or the teachers.
Summer break in traditional schools can be seen as a restorative stretch of freedom, a vast and opportune expanse in which class is no longer in session.
But what if you choose to teach summer school this year? You may be wondering if it’s worth it to trade your barely used beach tote in yet again for your teacher bag.
I taught summer school for one wild summer, and here’s how I see it:
My experience teaching summer school
“Hello! Come on in!” I greeted the students as I swung open the classroom door in the midday heat. Small and skiddish feet shuffled in, some tiny hands reached up to greet me, and I was blinded by the usual intensely bright swath of Florida sunshine.
My summer school students, rising Kindergarteners, always made an entrance characterized by buzzing activity. Some of these almost-Kinders would get straight to business unpacking their things, some would socialize and get distracted on the way, and some would either have tragedies or victories or merely interesting facts to report directly to me.
In any case, welcoming a group of four and five-year-olds each day for a few hours of playing and reading and cooling off from the heat with some educational videos made for quite the memorable summer.
This group was full of interesting ideas and experiments, imaginative play and funky art work, laughter and drama, an intense love for snacks and lots and lots of hugs. I had to get creative with my pacing, instruction, and classroom management system, but we found what worked for us.
It was hot, it was eventful, and it was heart-warming– the summer I taught summer school was truly one for the books and made me a stronger educator and a less-serious human.
The benefits of teaching summer school
Of course, there are benefits to this gig, or no one would do it.
The question, for someone considering the job, is are the benefits of teaching summer school strong enough to make it worth it?
There are a few situations that would make signing up to take on the role worthwhile, in my opinion.
Teaching summer school while transitioning out of teaching
One strong case I have for teaching summer school is if you’re transitioning out of full-time teaching. Leaving teaching is a huge decision, and one might not always be certain of their next career move. Teaching summer school can serve as a buffer while re-evaluating career goals. It can bring in an income while job searching.
Other jobs can also serve as temporary buffers during the transition (I’ve actually written a whole article ranking such jobs), but teaching summer school can be an advantageous option due to its ease of entry for teachers. It’s a job most teachers can jump quickly into and start earning income without any extra trainings, applications and onboarding hassles, etc.
Teaching summer school for career diversification and advancement
Another situation that fits well with teaching summer school is if you’re a teacher wishing to advance in the profession. Perhaps you’d like to teach in a different district or a different school within your current district.
Teaching summer school can not only provide special teaching experience, but by the end you’ll have something new to list on your resume, potential overseers to use as references, and contacts that can vouch for you in securing another position.
Basically, if you need to ladder climb, teaching summer school might help you do so.
I think plenty of administrators have respect for summer school teachers, because they often know what it’s like/have been forced into the situation. Nothing cuts one’s teeth like teaching summer school. After surviving this interesting and sometimes challenging teaching situation, you too can be a part of the summer school club.
(It’s the coolest!)
Teaching in the summer for extra cash
The extra income may be the most obvious benefit of teaching summer school. Pay can vary across schools and school districts. I heartily recommend finding out the exact terms and amount of the pay before indicating interest in the job.
Then it’s up to you to consider whether the size of the paychecks will be intriguing enough to you.
Some districts seem to offer very competitive pay, while others don’t seem that desperate for teachers by the looks of their offers. It doesn’t hurt looking into.
Teaching summer school for the sheer enjoyment of it
Finally, a major benefit to teaching summer school is that it can be so wholly different and fun that it’s an interesting life experience for you.
Sure, I came across challenges in the job, and fully expect any summer school teacher to also encounter difficulties.
But the overall flavor of summer school was marked by fun and whimsy and doing things differently than during the normal school year. We’d go on field trips to the museum and try our hands at making our own art, all Picasso-like. We’d have performers from the circus visit. We’d have popsicles on the playground just because it was Tuesday.
Summer school is different, in a good way. And just experiencing that once during the length of my teaching career has been worthwhile and fun.
The drawbacks to teaching summer school
Teaching summer school leaves you with little to no break
I’m going to boldly state that the only reason modern teachers can still survive in this hectic profession is because of the necessary and lifegiving break that summer offers. Summer break is basically the one hinge the career is sustained by.
Why say such a thing? People in other jobs may ask.
My experience teaching in K-12 schools is that it’s chaotically dozens of jobs wrapped into one. I’ve worked in other fields, and I can honestly say that teaching is 1.5 full-time jobs. The time in the classroom instructing is just one small piece of the whole range of expectations teachers are held to.
And from the general consensus, forum vents, in-person and online conversations I’ve had with other teachers, I know that I’m not alone in that view.
Summer has been a critical period of rest bridging each of my teaching years, allowing me to grow and enhance my teaching knowledge, giving me time to prepare and think through my curriculum for the upcoming year, and generally gifting me with the pleasure of feeling human again because of the freedom to pursue other goals and interests besides school.
When you sign up to teach summer school, there may be breaks like the first or last week of summer “off” or holidays like July 4th, but it’s like nothing if you’re used to a wide open gap of rest and relaxation.
The time I chose to teach summer school, I was actually in between substitute teaching and resuming classroom teaching. In a way, this was different than most scenarios. I wasn’t exactly burned out from a year of constant classroom teaching. I got to pick my schedule.
Bridging my subbing year to teaching third grade with summer school worked for me, but if summer is a lifeline for you, maybe you should reconsider teaching summer school.
The pay for teaching summer school may be less than enticing
Each summer school program will differ when it comes to pay, but I think it’s worth honestly considering: Is that dollar amount worth it to you?
Alternatively, could you find a different part-time job that is either less stress or higher pay?
These are factors you’ll need to consider. I’ve heard of some programs offering lucrative pay, but others have been lackluster. It depends on your financial needs.
Summer school might be less fun than usual
Okay, I know I said the opposite in my Pros section– that summer school is more fun than the regular programming.
And usually, I think it is. But it depends.
Do your research on the program before jumping in.
Is that summer school program required for certain students? In that case, you’ll get kids who don’t want to be there, and the days may be harder because of it.
But if the summer school program is an extra, an add-on, something with a fun theme that the kids will enjoy, that can make it more exciting for both them and you.
It’s definitely worth looking into how the program is run and what it entails.
Is teaching summer school worthwhile?
There’s nothing like getting to the end of another long, hot, fulfilling day playing teacher/summer camp counselor to rising Kindergarteners with your co-workers, chatting with your feet up on the desk and cracking open a cold one.
(A leftover Capri-Sun, that is.)
The cameraderie alone can make the experience worth it. Like I taught 30 four- and five-year-olds this summer, what did YOU do? is a great flex when you go back to the actual school year.
And running into your “old” summer school students in the hallways, who now treat you like the celebrity you are?
Priceless.
Ultimately, the decision to take on summer school is up to you. Consider each of the pros and cons to the job that I’ve listed. I hope it’s been a help.
Teachers, what would you add? Have any crazy summer school stories? Hit me up in the comments! Check out my other summer school articles: Secrets to Summer School Success and Surf’s Up: A Free Summer School Behavior Management Resource.
