Do teachers still get a paycheck when school’s out? It’s a common question, but the answer isn’t so simple. Some use summer to recharge, while others work second jobs, travel, or focus on professional development. From side gigs to summer school, find out
Author: Brooke Selg
Remember being a kid, waiting for the afternoon bell to ring on the last day of school? You couldn’t wait to run off into the sunshine and those endless summer days. You probably didn’t know that your teachers were just as excited (honestly, maybe even more).
Summer is one of the biggest perks of being a teacher. Those sweet summer days don’t have to remain a childhood memory.
Here are your top 8 questions about how real teachers spend summers, asked and answered.
Yes! Teachers do get the summers off. However, there are a few strings attached, so keep reading to find out what to expect when you become a teacher.
You may have seen the meme—teachers don’t have the summers off, they just do a year’s worth of work in 10 months. This is true! According to Education Week, the average teacher works 54 hours a week.
The truth is, teaching isn’t a typical nine to five job.
Teachers invest tons of time during the year. So yes, teachers get the summers off because they already did a full year’s work!
In most states, teachers make a yearly salary that is a set dollar amount. Depending on your school, you'll get paid over 10 months or 12 months.
If you get paid over 10 months, you get more money each paycheck, but you won't get paid in the summer.
If you get paid over 12 months, you’ll get a smaller monthly check, but your income will be steady throughout the summer.
You will get paid the same yearly salary no matter what option you choose. You’ll want to ask about this when you get hired, so you can plan accordingly.
Teachers make money in the summer by dividing their yearly salary over 12 months. Some teachers get a summer job to make some extra cash.
But here’s a pro-tip: if you get paid over 10 months you can “pay yourself” over the summer. Simply take the amount you make each month, multiply it by ten months, then divide by 12. Save the difference each month, and voila! A summer paycheck! By giving yourself a paid vacation, you’re covered for the summer months. Then, a summer job becomes optional, not mandatory. It’s totally up to you—another advantage of being a teacher!
Teach what you love. Enjoy generous vacation time. Grow your career in the classroom and beyond. Sign up to access guides, advising, and financial resources for future teachers.
It depends! Some teachers spend a lot of time over the summer planning new lessons and activities for their classes. Others prefer to do minimal planning during the summer and choose to do it during the school year.
Honestly, teachers never really stop planning. You'll see a book and think about fun ways to use it in the classroom, or spot something at a garage sale that would be perfect for your math unit on fractions. That's how teachers' brains work.
You'll spend plenty of time planning throughout the school year, so don't worry about figuring it all out over the summer.
The time you spend planning can depend on how long you've been teaching. If you're new, you might spend the summer gathering supplies for your classroom and setting everything up. Once you have a few years under your belt, you'll be more confident in those tried-and-true lessons that are great every time. Maybe you won't plan as much during the summer.
Even veteran teachers will tell you that some summers, they spend a lot of time planning, and others, they hardly plan at all. As a teacher, you can make the right choice when the time comes.
“A good teacher is like a candle — it consumes itself to light the way for others.” — Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Teaching is hard. There’s no other way to say it. You’ll put in long hours during the school year. The time before school when you’re preparing for the day, staying late for a meeting or after-school event—it all adds up. You’ll probably take work home on the weekends. You’ll spend your own time and money because you want the best for your students. That’s why you’re a teacher. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
Teachers need to take time off during the summer to recuperate from the school year. Balancing work and home is part of being a teacher. Summers allow you to rest, recharge and take a well-earned break. Summers also help teachers avoid burnout and experience the joy of doing it all over again in the fall.
What you do in the summer depends on a few things. Do you have kids? Do you care for elderly parents? How long have you been teaching? Is it your first year or your 30th? Do you want or need to make extra money in the summer? The most important thing is that you get to decide how to spend your time.
Rest, recharge and relax after a busy school year. Whether it’s spending time napping on a backyard hammock, going for a walk or doing nothing at all, recuperation is a high priority.
Catch up on those zzzzz’s you might have missed during the year.
Plan a trip of a lifetime to a far-flung place or explore your own city. A huge benefit of being a teacher is the freedom to travel during the summer. Road trips, hikes or day trips are all fun, and you’ll have something to look forward to all year!
Finally get a chance to read a book not written for kids!
Companies love hiring teachers. Your teaching experience shows that you’re reliable, responsible, great under pressure and can work with all kinds of personalities. Many teachers take part-time summer jobs, teach summer school, tutor or do other side hustles to make some money during their time off from school.
Volunteer at your favorite museum, local library or community center.
Use your free time to coach a summer sport for kids or adults!
Wake up without an alarm, spend a day screen-free, and get so relaxed you’ll be asking yourself—what day is it again?
Soak up the sun—with sunscreen of course. Hike, bike, run, walk, lay on the beach or take a dip in a lake.
Nurture those relationships you have with those closest to you. Make memories that will outlast your summer.
Go out to lunch like all of your non-teacher friends, grocery shop in the middle of the day, and catch up on everything you didn’t have time for during the school year.
You might even ask your school to cover the cost if it's school-related! As long as it helps you become a better teacher it’s worth asking for!
Always wanted to take pottery lessons or learn to play pickleball? Now’s your chance!
Spend a little (or a lot) of time planning for the year ahead! You might even meet up with your colleagues to plan as a group. Make the most of it and meet at a park or restaurant.
You might have some mandatory teacher training or other meetings for school. Look on the bright side; at least you won’t have to make sub plans to attend!
Can any teacher walk by the school supply aisle without taking just a little peek? Take advantage of those back-to-school sales and stock up on anything you’re low on for the upcoming year. You’ll thank yourself later.
Put on some music and enjoy rearranging, organizing, and making your workspace functional and refreshed. Summertime is perfect for sprucing up your classroom before your new students arrive.
Every new year is a fresh start. You’ll come back one year wiser, more confident and ready to do it all over. You’ll have to wear shoes again (sorry, flip-flops), but with the sweet smell of freshly sharpened pencils and fall leaves in the air, you’ll be ready. The killer deals on school supplies, catching up with your teacher buddies and getting back into a routine won’t hurt either.
Summer gives you the freedom to choose your own adventure. You feel like a kid again!
You asked how teachers spend their summers. The answer is however you want. What other career can give you that? Now the real question is how do you want to spend YOUR summers?
Whether you’re in high school or college or looking to change careers, it’s never too late to become a teacher. Sign up for a free coaching session with a real teacher and learn more!