5 Things Teachers Need To Do This Summer

As we come to the end of another school year, it is time for all educators to take some time to breathe, relax, and reflect. There are not many professions that have defined beginnings and endings every year. Educators need to take advantage of this opportunity in order to better themselves by paying attention to their well being in addition to fine-tuning and updating their craft.

Here are five things every teacher needs to do this summer:

1. De-clutter Your Classroom:

Does your classroom look like an episode of the TV show Hoarders? Do you have boxes and boxes of supplies, papers, and projects piled high up on cabinets and in every nook and cranny across the room? Don’t worry. You are not alone. Take this opportunity to go through your materials and get rid of what you are no longer using. Classrooms can be filled with old, antiquated ideas and materials. that haven’t been used in years. Get rid of them! If you can part with everything, get rid of 2-3 things. This will help start the de-cluttering process.

2. Reflect on Your School Year:

Here is another opportunity to take advantage of specific starting and ending points in our profession. Make time with a colleague to reflect upon the school year. Discuss what worked, what didn’t work, and what you will do differently next year. This process will help bring closure to one year and set you up for the next year.

3. Spend Time With Adults:

I know this one sounds strange, but hear me out. As teachers, we spend our entire day with children. From the early morning until the late afternoon, we interact with very few adults. Take time over the summer to have adult conversations. This is good for your well being.

4. Go To Lunch On A Tuesday:

I don’t know about you, but towards the end of every school year, I would scream if I had to eat another packed lunch from home. The mere sight of a turkey sandwich brought tears to my eyes. Don’t get me started on cafeteria food. Most people don’t understand that teachers can’t go out for lunch. We just don’t have the time. Do it over the summer! Go out to lunch on a weekday! Be an adult!

5. Read a Book For Fun:

Teachers spend nine months out of the year hyper-focused on their students and instruction. Teachers are constantly engaged in book studies, grading papers, and learning new instructional strategies. Take some time this summer for you. Read a book. A fiction book. Give your mind a break!

Dr. David Franklin, CEO of The Principal’s Desk, is an experienced school administrator, education professor, curriculum designer, and presenter. Dr. Franklin has presented at national and international education conferences as is available for school and district professional development sessions. He can be reached at david@theprincipalsdesk.org or at www.principalsdesk.org.