Ah, summer break. That magical time when alarm clocks are silenced, lesson plans are replaced with Netflix binges (guilty!), and the word “grading” is banished from your vocabulary. But even when we’re miles away from the classroom,some telltale signs scream, “TEACHER!” Let’s laugh at ourselves a little and celebrate this glorious freedom.

Here are a few things that I have been guilty of:

  1. You’ve decluttered and organized your entire pantry by color, size, and expiration date. (Bonus points if you used labels!)
  2. You instinctively start correcting grammar mistakes in casual conversations… and immediately regret it.
  3. You find yourself shushing random people in public places. (Just a reflex, really.)
  4. The sight of a perfectly sharpened pencil brings you an unreasonable amount of joy.
  5. You catch yourself grading your own summer reading list. (A+, obviously.)
  6. Your tote bag is still full of expo markers, sticky notes, and hand sanitizer. (Just in case.)
  7. You’ve referred to your partner/child/pet as “student” at least once.
  8. You’ve woken up at 6 AM out of habit, then promptly rolled over and slept for another three hours.(Victory!)
  9. You’ve considered laminating your beach pass for extra durability.
  10. You secretly miss the chaos of the school day (just a little bit)… especially when you’re watching “Bridgerton” for the third time or rooting for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders like a former Bengals Cheerleader yourself! (Okay, maybe more than a little bit…)

Let’s be honest, being a teacher is a part of who we are, even when we’re soaking up the sun, decluttering with the Clutterbug, and binge-watching “Your Honor” at 2 AM. So embrace those quirks, celebrate this well-deserved break, and remember, it’s okay if you still dream of bulletin boards and perfect attendance awards.

Happy summer, teachers! You deserve it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Axel Foley and his Beverly Hills antics…

Do you have any other funny signs to add to the list? Share them in the comments below! Don’t forget to check out our herSTEMspiration resources for teachers, perfect for back-to-school prep!