1. Endless School Supplies Shopping
As the spouse of a teacher, you quickly realize that there is no such thing as having too many school supplies. You end up shopping not only for your household but also for those extra supplies needed in the classroom.
2. Teachers Never Clock Out
Even when they’re at home, teacher spouses understand how hard it can be for them to switch off from work mode. They often bring work home, such as grading papers and preparing lesson plans, causing long hours spent working even after classes are over.
3. Parent-Teacher Conference Nights
Teacher spouses know that parent-teacher conference nights mean one thing: long, late nights at school. It’s important to support your spouse during these necessary but exhausting times.
4. The Emotional Roller Coaster
Your spouse has daily interactions with students who are in need of guidance and support. As a result, you see first-hand the range of emotions that come with the job – from the triumphs of seeing a struggling student finally understand a concept to the challenges that arise when dealing with difficult situations.
5. Unexpected Phone Calls
It’s not unusual to receive calls from your spouse during their breaks or after school hours, discussing issues ranging from a student’s progress to an upcoming school event – all while trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance.
6. Creative Home Décor
Living with a teacher often means living with their passions which spill over into your shared living space. Expect a healthy mix of educational charts and materials as part of your home décor!
7. School Holidays Are Workdays Too
While teachers do get statutory holidays off from school, many still use these days to catch up on grading assignments and refining lesson plans for the future.
8. Free Time Means Professional Development
What free time? While some professions wind down after working hours or have quiet periods, teachers are often engaged in professional development, attending workshops, and conferences, all in pursuit of becoming better mentors for their students.
9. Teachers Have a Wealth of Knowledge (and Stories!)
Being married to a teacher means always having an expert opinion on hand – whether it be about history or the latest teaching techniques. Expect plenty of interesting anecdotes from your spouse’s daily interactions with students and colleagues.
10. The Community Connection
As a spouse of a teacher, you are very likely to become involved with the school community as well. Many school projects and events may end up becoming part of your own life, but through these experiences, you form connections and see the meaningful impact your teacher spouse has on their students.
As a teacher spouse, it’s important to be patient, understanding, and supportive. Your partner is in a demanding profession that requires a constant juggling act between work and personal life. Lean into the journey together, and you’ll find that being a teacher’s spouse can be just as rewarding as it is challenging.
