It’s possible that teachers look forward to summer break just as much, if not more than, the students do. After all, summer vacation is your time to relax, recharge, and catch up on all the things you’re unable to do during the school year – like doctor appointments, oil changes and other errands – but for many teachers, it’s also time to prepare for the school year ahead.
To help you relax, recharge and get ready for fall, we polled some of our favorite educators to see how they spend their summers. Here are their top 5 recommendations.
Relax and Unwind
It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the things you have to do, but don’t forget to invest in a little downtime. This is your chance to relax and enjoy your well-earned vacation. Maybe that means spending more time outside, being active, visiting with family and friends, enjoying a hobby, or taking a trip.
For some teachers, summer self-care means staying up late and sleeping in, while others find that maintaining good sleep habits and a routine is what they need. The key is to figure out what you need and, as one teacher suggests, “Do what makes your heart happy.”
Exercise Your Mind
Many teachers use summer break to attend professional development classes and take online courses to further their education. Others choose to expand their minds by reading a good book in the sun. Either way, the goal is the same, to exercise the mind.
For those who opt for conferences and workshops, the benefits are often two-fold. “Being surrounded by people who are passionate about teaching and arming myself with all these new ideas gets me excited for the fall,” notes one teacher, who admits sometimes feeling burned out at the end of the school year.
Prep for the Year Ahead
Most educators agree that at least some of their summer is spent planning for the year ahead. Tasks include doing an audit of their classroom and resources, and discarding or replacing items that aren’t working anymore. Organizing and cleaning out email. Prepping bulletin boards for the coming year and reviewing lesson plans.
“I actually create a lesson plan to-do list at the end of the school year before summer break,” offers one teacher. “While it’s still fresh in my mind, I note which units or activities need to be revised, and which went well, so I know exactly what I need to do in August.”
Plan a Fall Fundraiser
As any teacher will you tell you, the start of the school year is a hectic time, but it’s also a popular time for school fundraisers. “By planning your fundraiser over the summer, you’ll have one less thing to worry about in September,” notes one teacher.
At Original Works, we provide schools with a variety of art-based fundraising programs that are easy to set up and administer. Student artwork is printed on high-quality magnets, mugs, mousepads and more, which are purchased by parents and families to raise funds for the school. “Original Works even provides the paper, lesson plans and marketing materials,” adds another teacher.
Make the Most of Summer
No matter how you choose to spend your summer, we hope it’s full of joy, relaxation, and perhaps a wee bit of productivity. If you’d like to learn more about our school fundraising programs, simply contact us online or give us a call at 518-584-9278. We’re here for you throughout the school year and all summer long.