Summer is just around the corner, and as school begins winding down, students and faculty begin looking forward to the warm months ahead. While class may be out of session, teachers should utilize their time out of the classroom to set themselves up for success in the upcoming semester. Along with this, teachers should also prioritize their mental health by allowing themselves to decompress, relax, and begin gearing up for the next year of teaching.
Today, we’re providing some Summer Tips for Teachers on how to Reset, Reflect, and Recharge and make the most of that restorative time off.
- Take a Break.
It’s important to take some time off after a long and busy year. Teaching is an extremely demanding profession, and in order for teachers to operate at their best they need to take care of themselves and rest when needed. Taking some downtime can prevent burnout, allow for mental and physical recovery, and helps teachers and educators process the previous school year fully and reflect on what worked and what didn’t with their students. It also is an essential part of the process in gearing up for the next school year, because decompression helps teachers restore their creativity, patience, and motivation both in and out of the classroom. Which leads us to our second tip.
- Explore New Ideas.
The long summer months are a perfect time to look to the future and envision some new ideas for the classroom. Are there any processes that need to be improved? Are there any new teaching methods that have caught your eye? Use this free time to gather some research and inspiration and take part in some intentional planning. Educators can explore new teaching methods or communication styles and then take time to reflect and map how these will realistically fit into their classroom structure and goals. Teachers can also compare their new ideas to their previous curriculum and make any adjustments as needed.
- Plan and Prepare for Next Semester.
Creating lessons, organizing the classroom, gathering supplies, and connecting with fellow teachers are a few ways to gear up for the school year ahead. Taking time to accomplish these preparations can relieve stress and help teachers put their best foot forward to a successful next semester. Working on this over the summer will allow for more free time and less distractions later on, creating a more thoughtful plan for the upcoming year.
Incorporating these tips will give teachers and educators a more balanced summer with not only time for their students and classrooms, but also the necessary time for themselves to reset.
We wish you a productive, yet rejuvenating summer!
What other tips do you have to help wind down as an educator and prepare for the new year? Let us know in the comments!
Resources:
Maximize Summer Success: A Teacher’s Guide
7 Teacher Prep Summer Activities to Make Back to School Easier • Elementary Island
VARconnection 