Yes, summer time is finally here! It's the moment you've been looking forward to for at least the last month or two (don't deny it). If you're anything like me, come the end of the summer you'll be wondering "Where did all of the time go?" and "What did I even do?" With that in mind I can up with five things we should all do each summer.
Take Time to Relax
I don't know a single teacher who isn't mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted by the time they walk out the doors at the end of the school year. You've worked hard and earned this break, so take advantage of it.
Now, relaxing means different things to different people. For me, it's letting my body sleep as much as it wants (often over 10 hours a night at the beginning of summer when my body is recouping). For my friend, it's waking up early to hit the beach in time for sunrise, and for another it's RV'ing around the country.
So, figure out what it is helps you relax, and seek it out. I have a rule at home, that I'm not doing anything for the first week of summer but relaxing. Institute the same rule if you need to and hit the spa, read a book in the backyard, do some coloring, or practice Tai Chi in the park. Whatever works for you, do it.
Tackle a big non-work project
I think it's in our nature for teachers to give their all to their students and lessons during the school year, often to the detriment of things at home. I know I'm guilty of it at least. That's why each summer I try to tackle at least one large home project, and try to make some progress on a few others as well. This will help give you a sense of accomplishment, and reconnect you to life outside the classroom.
For me this year, it's finishing painting our house. Last spring we began searching for a home to purchase, intending to buy at the start of summer. We figured we'd have several weeks before move in to paint the house and get everything ready. Of course that didn't happen. We closed less than a week before the start of the school year so we're way behind where we'd like to be with the house.
So this summer try tackling some home upgrades, deep clean the house, or finally clear out and organize that walk-in closet. Of course if you have kids, just keeping up and spending time with them may be enough of a project. : )
Learn something about your field
It seems that educational best practices change all the time, and it can be hard to keep up. I try to read anything that comes my way during the school year, and check Pinterest regularly then as well but there's still so much to learn. That's why I try to actively learn during the summer.
This year I'm attending a CHAMPS training offered by our district (I made my sister sign up too. Always bring a friend to trainings if you can!). Most districts offer in person or online trainings for free, so see if any are of interest to you. It sucks to give up a day of vacation, but it's often well worth it.
No trainings offered near you? No problem. Time to check out some of those amazing education books you've heard so much about. Reading The Book Whisperer two summers ago completely changed my teaching, so I always write down books people are raving about (suggestions welcome). I just read The CAFE Book to see how well it can apply to high school, and have a few more books waiting in the wings .
And of course there's the internet. I have a board on Pinterest titled Read then Pin, for all of those interesting sites, blogs, and articles I come across but don't have the time (or mental energy) to read when I find them. Each summer I work to clear that board out.
Sort computer files
If your district is like mine, then chances are they tell you to back up your teacher computer files over the summer, in case anything happens to the network. As much of a pain that is, I've turned it into an opportunity to be more organized.
Every year I start with a great file system in my computer, but over time it gets jumbled. I make an assessment that covers several subjects and I'm not sure where to put it, so it sits in My Documents. I accumulate tons of random files I downloaded from TPT to check out and never organized or deleted. I may also have come up with a new way of organizing during the year that I want to try out.
So, each summer I take all of my files home on a USB drive. I sort through EVERYTHING, and refile them in folders that make sense to me now. When I go back to school in August, I copy everything to my work computer and I'm cleaned up and ready to go.
I know being able to do this may not come naturally to many people, so check out my post: How to Organize Teacher Computer Files in 5 Easy Steps
BONUS: This is a good time to clear out e-mails as well. In g-mail, labels and archive are your friends! Don't be afraid to delete things you don't really need.
Plan for the coming year
I won't get into a huge post here about how to plan for the school year (just Google or search Pinterest for teacher planning, long range teacher plans, teacher curriculum plan, or View my Planning board here.
Bottom line is that it is SOOOO worth planning out your year ahead of time. Start by asking yourself the most crucial skills your students need to learn. Then try to arrange them so they build on each other. Even just having that simple framework of what to teach in what order will have you feeling far more sane as the new year approaches : )
So, those are my suggestions for teachers this summer. Is there anything I missed? Anything you can't stand? What are your plans for the remainder of this summer? Tell me in the comments below.
