☀️ What I Recommend Teachers Do During the Summer (For Every Part of Life)

So summers are getting shorter and shorter for teachers…seems that way anyway. I believe we return in the first or second week of August. Seriously? We are still in the building till this Friday, June 6 😦

As teachers, we need to focus during our summers. We should spend our time wisely before we have to go Back-to-School Shopping!

Teachers are experts at doing all the things—grading, planning, managing, mentoring, and multitasking like champions. But when summer hits, too many of us feel the pressure to be “productive” every single minute. Here’s my take: summer should serve every part of your life—not just your lesson plan folder.

Whether you’re craving peace, inspiration, or a little reinvention, here’s what I recommend teachers focus on during summer break across all areas of life:

💆‍♀️ 1. For Your Mind & Body: Rest—Without Guilt

Yes, you need rest. Yes, I’m starting with us first. No, you’re not being lazy or selfish. Teaching is physically and emotionally exhausting, so summer is the time to slow down on purpose.

Try This:

• Sleep in for a week straight. Seriously.
• Take walks without a destination.
• Get a massage, try a new recipe, or take a nap in the middle of the day. I love this one! Itake my week day naps around 2:00 pm daily. It’s just when my body chooses to tell me to stop.

🧘 Wellness Tip:
If you need to schedule your rest (because that’s how teacher brains work), do it! Put “do nothing” on your planner and honor it like any other meeting.

👩‍🏫 2. For Your Career: Reflect and Rebuild

This isn’t about redoing your whole curriculum. But summer is a powerful time to take stock. What worked? What didn’t? What’s worth reusing, and what can be tossed for good?

Consider:

• Revisiting 1-2 favorite units and improving them
• Attending a workshop or online PD (on something you’re curious about—not just what’s required). This may seem counter to teachers’ summer preferences. However, I complete some of my annual required PDs during the summer. This way, I won’t have to during the school year. Gives me more time for students, time to catch up or rest, when we return.
• Organizing your digital files or creating a new template to save time next year

🧰 Pro Tip:
Pick one project that makes next year easier. Not five. Not ten. One.

👨‍👩‍👧 3. For Your Relationships: Reconnect and Be Present

During the school year, our families and friendships sometimes get the “leftovers.” Now’s the time to be intentional.

Ideas:

• Plan a mini road trip with your kids or partner
• Have lunch with a friend you’ve been “meaning to catch up with.” I swear my friends hate me. 🙂 They have resigned themselves to see me during the summer because I’m “unavailable” during the school year; it’s crazy, huh?!
• Call a former student or mentor just to check in

💬 Simple Joy:
Put away your phone and be fully present during a conversation or a coffee date. The world can wait.

✍️ 4. For Your Creativity: Do Something Just Because

You don’t have to monetize every hobby. You don’t have to align everything to a standard. Summer is for play.

🎨 Try:

• Journaling or starting a blog
• Painting, gardening, cooking, or taking photos
• Writing poetry or music (even badly!)
• Trying out a class in something random: pottery, dance, creative coding—whatever sparks joy

📎 Reminder:
You are more than your classroom. Feed your spirit.

🧘 5. For Your Peace of Mind: Declutter Something (Anything)

Summer is the perfect time for a little gentle organization. It’s not because you have to. It’s because it creates space in your brain.

You could:

• Clean out your teacher bag (we both know it still has last semester’s snack wrappers)
• Tidy your closet, classroom bins, or digital files
• Create a calming home corner—somewhere just for you

🪴 Bonus Tip:
Decluttering one thing often motivates you to clear out mental clutter too. It’s all connected.

🌍 6. For Your Future Self: Dream a Little

The classroom isn’t your only identity. What do you want for yourself outside of teaching?

📓 Ask yourself:

• Where do I want to be a year from now?
• What’s something new I’d like to try?
• What part of myself have I been neglecting?

☀️ Reflection Idea:
Create a “Summer Vision Board” (digital or paper) that includes more than just school goals. Include your home, health, finances, travel dreams, or personal milestones.

🏁 Remember: This Is Your Time

Summer break isn’t just about recovery—it’s about rediscovery. So if you need to unplug, plug in, recharge, explore, or just be—give yourself permission.

You’ve given your students everything. Now it’s time to give back to yourself.

Let me know what you plan to do this summer.