As most students view summer as a time to sit back, relax, and take a break from the atmosphere of the education system, some of us never seem to rest without the presence of a teacher. We call ourselves "TK"s, also known as "teacher's kids." My mom has been an educator for literally over half of her life, and she has touched the lives of nearly one thousand kids in two parishes in Louisiana. Her students treat her like a rockstar, and she reciprocates the love by planning exciting lessons, awesome field trips, and preparing them for future success. Trust me, if you're a TK, you witness this even during summer break. Growing up as the child of a teacher comes with a lot of expectations. Here are some signs you're a teacher's kid:

1. You always did your homework...or else.

My mother is an elementary school teacher, so she always emphasized the value of completing homework. I was always amazed that some of my peers would arrive at school without their assignments. After "How was your day?," "Do you have any homework?" was the first thing my mom asked me every day after school.

2. Teachers are appalled if you run out of school supplies.

A teacher's kid without a pencil is like a preacher's kid charged with murder. I am expected to have an endless supply of paper, pens, Sharpies and binders, and it is somehow shameful if I run out of supplies.

3. Anything less than an "A" in behavior...unacceptable!

TKs are expected to be on their best behavior, because somehow "we should know better." According to my mom, "Everyone can't get an A in calculus, but you sure as hell should get an A in behavior." Disrupting in class, again, is like a murder charge.

4. You've become a professional letter-cutter.

Almost all of August is spent helping to decorate your parent's classroom. For as long as I can remember, I have spent my last month of freedom inside the walls of my mom's school. I won't even talk about cutting out endless letters for her bulletin boards... *shivers*

5. You learn to memorize all of your own teachers' classroom decorations to give your parent suggestions for next year.

Trust me, teachers are professional thieves.

6. You're a strong advocate for teacher pay raises.

Everyone knows that teachers deserve a lot more than they receive. The teachers are the ones who teach the highest paid professionals how to read in their formative years! As a TK, you hear this over and over before you even understand what it means. Sadly, the salary deters many teacher's kids from following their parent's footsteps.

7. You respect your own teachers more.

It's not funny to most teacher's kids when they hear their peers disrespect other educators. Somehow, knowing that it could be your parent receiving the backlash makes it easier to tolerate even the worst assignments imaginable by teachers and professors.

8. You can't get away with anything.

Misbehaving in public is impossible. I hear "Aren't you Ms. Scott's kid?" from her students and co-workers near and far. No matter where I am throughout the city, my mom has impacted countless lives. Like her students, I don't want Ms. Scott to hear that I was misbehaving, either.

Despite these woes, we are one of the fortunate groups who have their parent home for summers, weekends, and holidays. I wouldn't have it any other way.

If you can read this, thank a teacher!!