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Book that Flight: Four Reasons Educators Should Take Time Off During the School Year.

In the first six years of teaching career I never took a day off. If I was sick, I popped some Tylenol and got to work. If I was exhausted, I added a couple more scoops of coffee to the filter and got on my way and when my friends were heading out to get some fresh turns on a powder day I stayed in the classroom fearing a bad sub day or those sideways looks from my colleagues when I returned. I wore my ironman reputation like a badge of honor and even worse; I often looked down on those who could not make it into work each and every day like I could. Over time this mentality faded a bit and now I am learning to understand my own rhythms as an educator which has made me, albeit reluctantly, schedule trips that take me away from school at some of the most intense times of the school year.

Now, let me be honest am sitting on a plane now on my way to a wedding in upstate New York and I am anxious about whether or not I passed off all my work to the right people and whether or not I created a mess for the coworkers I respect so much. The fear of logistics is something I can deal with but for the first time as an educator I am comfortable admitting that, though it is only October, this time away from work is necessary for me if I want to continue to be effective. In the weeks leading to this trip I had moments of excitement and some of anxiety but in that time I identified four clear reasons why its not just okay but imperative that educators take time away from the work during the school year.

1.     Time away from work decentralizes our school systems: I have been reminded a lot by my leaders and coaches that individuals are not intended to be the systems we created. If I have a system for attendance, discipline, celebration or data tracking then it should not simply fall apart when I am gone it should maintain without a heavy lift by another teacher or staff member. This goes for teachers as well. Students are often not their best on sub days but the classroom should not fall apart. Systems of accountability, professionalism and intrinsic motivation are the mark of a good classroom and all of those can maintain when the lead teacher is not in the room. Strong schools and teachers have strong systems and those systems should not deteriorate if the individual who created those systems goes to the beach.

2.     Time away from work models a healthy balance for students and colleagues: One of the leaders that I respect the most is the one that made it a point to model strong balance to his staff. On Mondays, when teachers are often in the grind preparing for the week he made it a point to swim with his family after school and he asked his staff what they were doing that week to find joy. He rode his bike or ran to school everyday and often worked in his gym shorts and t-shirt until he had time to clean up and he never minded that his staff looked the same way if it meant they got a morning workout in. He bought plane tickets that departed on a Tuesday because they were cheaper and his family could have more time together, he turned off his computer at 9:00 p.m. and encouraged his staff to do the same. Even more, this school was successful, it was innovative and it was bustling. More work does not always mean better schools. This school was effective and the community he created because of his modeling was healthy. This can be a reality but it takes a leader strong enough to realize that his or her school’s health is only as strong as their personal health and that is never an easy characteristic to find in a leader.

3.     Time away from work promotes longevity: About year nine of teaching is when I realized that if I wanted to make a career out of this education thing then I would have to take time away during the year. Working in a urban turnaround school is not just a way for me to move into a comfortable central office job. This is my work, this is my passion and this is my purpose. But honestly, it has never been easy for me. I am quick to work at all hours of the day and my most creative hours are (unfortunately) from 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. This is not something I can change, it is how I am wired but it does mean that by October or November and again in March and April I am bleary eyed and worn out. These are my rhythms as an educator and in order to maintain this for the duration I will need to know that those are times that a long weekend, a week of sleeping in or early exits is what I need to be my best self for kids. To do this for a long time means I will have to leave for a short time.

4.    Taking time away from work mandates perspective and balance: Every August I come back into a school year in a completely Zen place. I am in shape, I have eaten well, I have slept and I feel amazing. I promise myself each year that this year will be the one in which I keep those disciplines throughout the school year. However, without fail I am always spending December and June regaining my health, getting back into shape and making sure my relationships are managed. Scheduled time away from work mandates that my physical, mental, spiritual and relational health are prioritized. My trips take me to the mountains, the beach or with friends and family. I read words that are healthy and encouraging and I work to linger with people I care about.  Relationships and health are not just meant for winter break and summer vacation, they are necessary every week of every year and taking time away, even if I am uncomfortable with that time, makes me stay focused on those essential aspects of my life.

As I mentioned before this post is being constructed in the back row of a bumpy Southwest flight from Denver to Boston. I will spend five full days celebrating a wedding with friends and driving through New England with my wife. I have anxiety on what I will miss, what I forgot to get covered and what others might say but the I know that I will never regret this time with my friends and my family and I will never look back and wish I had never taken that extra day away from work. It will be there when I get back and I will be better prepared to do right by my work family after this time away with my actual family. I encourage educators to do this for yourselves and hopefully others will follow that lead. Now it is time for me to enjoy some free inflight cable.

You can see hyper filtered photos of my trip on Instagram @ChrisDeRemer or follow me on Twitter @DeRemerEdTalk

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