Ryan, as a retired teacher who spent 34 years in the classroom, I want you to know that you have created the clearest picture of the life of a teacher I have ever read. Very few people, other than teachers, understand what the life of a teacher entails. And forget holidays and summers. Summers are for attending professional development seminars and workshops to get the point you need even though you are knowledgeable about everything the presenters are telling you. Holidays and summers are for catching up on the 150 research papers your juniors and seniors turned in, OR the housework that you have not had the energy to address.

I hear you and your struggles, but I am glad you love your job, and I hope this creates more of an understanding to the common people about a teacher's life.