So I have to scream out loud that “It is FINALLY Summer Vacation!”
If you are a teacher, I’m sure you can understand the sentiment. I mean to say that we’ve had ups and downs this year would be an understatement. We’ve had school lockdowns, COVID flare-ups, mass fights and altercations, class roster changes, aggressive students and parents, ineffective administrators, and the list goes on, so forgive me if my excitement is a little loud.
With that said, I must focus on what I have planned for the summer because before we can say “Let’s Go To The Beach,” we’ll be back in school.
For my TpT (Teachers Pay Teachers) store – and for my own well-being – I will be focusing on 7 things this summer.
1ST THING: CLEAN & ORGANIZE SPACES
Like I don’t know if other teachers go through this, but by the last quarter I start to get lazy at home. I start throwing my bookbag, paperwork, articles of clothing wherever they land. I mean furniture needs to be dusted, items need to be organized, my cat needs to be pet; I’ve just let things go.
Therefore, my summers are for getting my clean swag back on. I need the time to clean and organize…clean and organize.
Put the music on or some tv in the background and just get to work. Let’s make our space feel like home again.
2nd THING: HANG OUT MORE
My friends (and sometimes family) are vexed with me annually. I never make enough time for them during the school year, but during the summer. I find them…or more so, they find me.
For example, literally the Friday after the last day of school (the Thursday before) a few friends hit me up to ask when we’ll be hanging out. I mean…seriously?
Give me a minute please…Sheesh!
However, I will be hanging out this summer because I need to reconnect. These are my people: the ones who know me, love me, and want to see me succeed; I gotta share my life with them.
So please Angry Teacher Family, remember to make time for your family and friends…even your pets. They are the ones in your corner; try not to neglect them.
3rd THING: Attend TpT Conference and Workshops
Now, last year, smack dab in the middle of the Pandemic, I attended my first TpT Conference [TPT FORWARD] virtually. I loved it! Loved it! I learned invaluable content that I used in my store and have seen a difference in my income.
I will say that I believe education is important for educators; Moreso, for educators turned businesspeople. Needless to say, I also bought about 2 courses and learned through some of the most interesting and knowledgeable TpT Teacher-Authors out there.
It goes without saying, then, that I’ll do the same again this year. I constantly want to learn and make my business a better business.
I am also going to play around with the many marketing and social media platforms I am registered with. Can you imagine: I am paying for some of these and I am not using them to their best capacities; I need to do better.
One thing I didn’t sing up for though was any professional development that relates to, smells like, feels like my job! I need a break from kids and the like. Trust me; I’ve been asked…
Admin: ”Richard, will you be able to..”
Me: Nope
Admin: “Mr. Williams, are you going to..”
Me: Nope
Teacher Bestie: “Rich, remember to sign up for…”
Still Me: “Nope”
Not this year! This year, I’m focusing on me. Hey, teak care of your mental and physical health too. We need you next year.
4TH THING: WORK OUT AND EXERCISE
Yup! Yup! You know how I do! The Angry Teacher has to get his workout in! Every morning I hit the gym and try to get something accomplished.
Sometimes, while I’m there, I wonder “WHY am I here?”, but a couple of minutes in – I figure it out. I’m starting to see gains and feel different, so I will keep it up!
Consistency is key. Even my drinking of water, and attempting to eat better I have tried to maintain so far.
Like, everyone knows I hate LEG DAY; however, I killed it this Thursday! Went in there and just killed it! Will I pay for it later? Probably, but it felt good to not have to worry about running off to work. My mental health is already positively affecting my physical health. 😊
Always think of your mental, physical, emotional and your health in general. Go for a walk, do a push up, reach for the fruit, instead of the chips. To feel better, we must get to the place where we are doing better, even if it’s a little per day. Remember: Consistency is key!
5th THING: PLAN FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I said I was going to try to ignore my job for the summer and focus on me. And, some teachers will scoff and say they’d never do anything work related during the summer…and I agree.
However, to make my year better when I return, there are some fine tuning of syllabi, and other things I need to get done before entering the building next year because once the year begins, it’ll be students this, admin that, lesson this, sporting events that, so I’d prefer to work on those minor things when I have time.
It helps in that I can kind of coast or not stress as much when the year begins. I mean who wants to worry about lesson planning when you’re cheering on the Mighty Bulls at a Football game?
In any case, always do what’s best for you. I get rid of some of my anxiety because I have all my ducks in a row, lesson plans for the first weeks done, activities planned, processes planned, before even walking into the building.
Some teachers can buckle down and get it down, even with Mary and Susie are in front of them; I’m just not that guy.
6th THING: CREATE! CREATE! CREATE!
This, I believe, is my favorite thing on the list. I love creating product for my store.
I love the creativity I have to channel and the focus it requires. I love when something moves from idea or concept to product, especially, if I wasn’t able to create it during the tumultuous, busy school year.
Now, I cam able to spend time reading, checking, and enjoying my creations!
Do you guys like the creation stage of being a Teacherpreneur?
And last, the 7th THING: REST!
I have gotten to the point where I’m just going and going and going, not so much like the Energizer Bunny; but, seemingly without end.
Now, this summer, for myself, my friends and family, my TpT store, my Youtube channel, social media accounts, AND my students for next year, I really need to REST.
It’s gotten so bad I have had to schedule rests in my day. I swear…😊
We all need to have our family days, our Netflix and chill days, our lay in the dark – not necessarily thinking of anything days, our shopping spree days, our standing around at the gym not talking about anything serious days.
We all need to realize that this summer we are worth the time off! We deserve the time off!
And, those are the 7 THINGS I plan to accomplish this summer. I will let you know just how successful I am.
The Angry Teacher 