Every summer I see teachers on Instagram and Facebook spending way too much time in their classrooms, in my opinion. Summers are meant for recharging, resetting, having fun, and maybe even working a summer job. Summers are not meant for spending more hours in your classroom. Today, I am going to share tips on what to do to get out of that classroom and take a month or two off.
Take at Least One Month Off
It is essential that you take at least one month off in the summer. In the summer, teachers should be recharging, relaxing, and enjoying themselves. Yes, you might do a summer job, but take a month off from your teaching job.
That means no going into your classroom, no putting stuff together, etc. Just take one month completely off, you will thank yourself when you are done.
No Email on Your Phone
Take that dang email off of your phone! It should be off of your phone all school year, but if you couldn’t bring yourself to do it, now is the time! In the summer, plan one day a week where you will jump on and check it quickly, but don’t let it ruin a perfectly great summer day.
Complete this Checklist Before Leaving
I asked a bunch of teachers what they do before they leave school and this checklist is all of the things! Go through this checklist and make sure that you check off everything that you want to do. If this is all done before you leave at the end of the year, you will feel GREAT and feel like you can really enjoy that month off.
Grab the free checklist by putting your email below!
Keep Your Notebook Handy
At the end of the school year, grab a brand new notebook for the following school year. Keep that notebook in your house somewhere you can easily grab it. If you are scrolling through Instagram and you see an idea you want to implement, or you come up with a great idea in the shower, run to your notebook and write it down. This takes off that mental load of wanting to remember or prepare it. Your brain will know that it is in that notebook safe and ready for the appropriate time.
Take Student Help
The last week of school students WANT to and will help! Have them help clean and pack up anything they can. Have them help create ideas for next year. They want to help and they are so willing! Before students leave, your classroom should basically be ready to go for the following school year!
You Don’t Have to Buy the Dollar Spot
Can I just say this again?! You don’t have to buy everything that you see for teachers during the summer. In the summer, teacher’s are being sold to and advertised to SO much. On your month off, also promise yourself you won’t buy anything. You don’t need everything in the dollar spot and if you are anything like me, you will buy more than you will ever use.
Enjoy Yourself
Last but not least, just enjoy yourself. The summer is about YOU. You will be a better teacher if you really enjoy yourself.
Don’t Forget to Grab Your Checklist
Head up to grab that checklist! This is an easy way to make your end of the year run smoothly so you are ready for that relaxing summer ahead!
Hannah Wilde
I am so glad you’re here! I love helping 3rd-5th grade teachers by providing ideas, engaging resources, and professional development they need. I am a literacy coach who is here to help lessen the workload for teachers while making them more confident! I want students to be continually engaged in a rigorous environment!