We want them for their 16 weeks of vacation per year, but the reality of the teaching profession is much more complex than you think.
Who has never said one day that the teachers had far too vacation? This remark comes up regularly in discussions of the French, as obvious. With 16 weeks of leave on average per year, it is difficult not to envy them, especially when other employees must be satisfied with five. Their timetable is also often perceived as more flexible than in other professions. However, the reality of the teaching profession is very different. Contrary to what one might think, their work does not stop when the school ringing sounds.
This is what many teachers try to explain when they are made to them. On the Instagram social network, some have spoke about it. In August 2024, for example, Rebecca, alias @une_prof_passionnee, a professor of letters in vocational high school, wanted to post a publication for “To twist the neck in the a priori that has a hard life”. In her post, she explains in particular that “The very long teachers’ holidays are often perceived as a privilege, but in reality, they are essential to several titles, to the good practice of our profession as well as to our well-being.”
And for good reason, have you ever imagined what the daily life of teachers could look like? They are classified all day, from Monday to Friday in general. “Teaching is an exciting job, but it can also be very demanding. The long vacation offer us time to recharge our batteries, to find a balance between our professional and personal lives”, Declares Rebecca. But above all, these leave periods are essential to prepare the school program and continue their training. “The summer holidays allow teachers to think about their teaching methods, update their equipment and plan lessons adapted to the needs of their students. These months of break also offer a precious opportunity to develop new skills. Many teachers take advantage of this period to follow training, to learn new educational trends or deepen their knowledge in their field”underlines the teacher.
In addition, apart from the summer holidays, these periods are often far from rest for teachers. They are devoted to the preparation of the courses, to the correction of copies and, at the end of the quarter, to the filling of school bulletins. Shadow work, essential, but rarely perceived as such unfortunately.
