Apparently, almost one in three teachers has a teaching spouse. No surprise there then. With workload demands limiting WLTM opportunities beyond the staffroom, the average teacher’s social circle consists of teachers, teachers, and er, more teachers.
And when it comes to romance, it seems colleagues make the perfect partners too. Who else would believe you’re really marking books on a Friday night instead of going on a hot date with them? And who but another teacher could share your sense of panic when Dilbert’s mum decides to take him off his Ritalin again? Yep, only teachers understand teachers. No wonder so many of us end up marrying each other.
But is it taking “till death do us part” a bit too literally if Sir and Miss become Mr and Mrs at the same school? Well, brace yourselves - hubby and I have spent half our 15 years of wedded bliss teaching together. And we’re still talking.
At one point, I was even hubby’s year head. Now, just the thought of being bossed around by the missus 247 would be enough to make most male teachers dive for The TES jobs section, but hubby took it all in his stride. These days, we teach different year groups, he’s senior to me and we rarely even meet in the corridor. Perfect.
Teaching with your spouse may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does have its perks. So if you’re considering tying the knot with a colleague from school, a few words of wisdom from one who’s been there, got the T-shirt:
* Volunteer your other half for every residential trip going, and indulge in home-alone bliss several times a year.
* Enjoy quality time together during those synchronised holidays without either of you ever feeling guilty or resentful (apparently, non-teaching partners find getting up for work at 7am when Sleeping Beauty is off for the next six weeks just a tad galling).
* Finally, remember you’ll be quids-in. Sell one of the cars and visit the canteen at lunchtime. Okay, school dinner for two may not be romantic, but it saves having to cook a meal at home each evening. And with a double stock of plonk from the kids at Christmas, you’ll never need to do the booze cruise again.
This summer, I’m taking a sabbatical and heading off for Georgia, USA. And guess what? Hubby’s coming too. But for the first time in eight years, we’ll be teaching at different schools. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder? I’ll let you know.
