[Sam Gamgee]

Where I am there is 10 months of work, 2 off for summer. You get to choose. If you want (and are nuts) you can get paid only for 10 months, or as you said, choose to spread it.

[Smittie]

Our summer break is about two and a half months depending on if you have any conferences or workshops to attend (without pay usually). This hatred of teachers is the biggest pet peeve I have against this site. I guess all the haters were born with their knowledge.

They should direct their energies against the legislators who dictate what the teachers have to teach and how. Lawyers who have no idea what a classroom is like, yet pass laws that basically turn the school experience into a series of tests that kill any love of learning the students may have.