Pause With Purpose And Passion
Summer break is among the most anticipated holidays in the school calendar. It's also a well-earned opportunity for teachers to recharge. This is a time to slow down, a rare chance to prioritize your own well-being without a daily bell schedule. For teachers wondering what to do during this break, here are 20 meaningful ways to reset, grow, and return to the classroom with renewed energy.
1. Take A Real Break
Resist the urge to jump into lesson planning right away. Give yourself at least two full weeks of true downtime—no emails or school talk. Sleep in and ditch the alarm clock. Reconnect with what it feels like to move at your own pace.
2. Catch Up On Health Appointments
Now's the time for all those appointments you couldn't squeeze in during report card season. Book your checkups, and finally address that nagging back pain. Your body deserves attention before you lose your freedom again.
3. Read For Pleasure
Put aside curriculum guides and pick up a book for the soul. It could be a beachy rom-com or a fantasy series you've postponed since winter break. Reading for joy helps restore the spark that brought many teachers into the classroom in the first place.
4. Travel, Even If It's Local
You don't need a passport to feel refreshed. Visit that quirky museum you've passed a dozen times or take a road trip to the next town's farmer's market. A change of scenery, even close to home, can clear mental fog like nothing else.
5. Declutter Your Digital Life
If your desktop looks like a confetti explosion of files, summer is your chance to sort it out. Create folders, delete duplicates, and organize your teaching materials. You'll thank yourself when August hits and you can actually find that rubric.
6. Reconnect With Loved Ones
Dinner with friends or a beach day with your kids. Maybe even a long phone call with your cousin. Teaching takes a toll on relationships when the days blur into grading and lesson prep. Use summer to rebuild those connections.
7. Try A New Hobby
The possibilities are endless—pottery, birdwatching, etc. You may try beekeeping and end up using it as a science tie-in with your class. Being a learner again reminds you how it feels to try, fail, and grow—exactly what you expect of your students.
8. Volunteer For A Cause
Step outside the usual and help at an animal rescue or read to seniors at a care home. Volunteering offers meaningful connection without the structure of school, and the freedom can be incredibly grounding.
9. Reflect On The Past Year
Grab a notebook and let it all spill out. What lessons flopped? What moments made you proud? These reflections carry growth. You may realize just how far you’ve come after journaling your last 12 months from start to finish.
10. Attend A Workshop Or Retreat
Pick one experience that feeds you. Maybe it's a literacy summit in another city or a local yoga teacher weekend that doubles as self-care. Choose depth over quantity—just one inspiring event can reshape your whole mindset heading into fall.
11. Start A Side Hustle Or Passion Project
If you have a craft you never have time for, or a podcast idea, Summer offers room to test and explore without worrying about grades or observations. It may become something you carry into the school year, or something for yourself.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
12. Get Outside Daily
Even if it's just to sip coffee on your porch, prioritize time under the sky. A daily sunrise walk is a way to stay present that you might want to try. Nature, even in small doses, restores more than caffeine ever could.
13. Organize Classroom Materials
Yes, this is the one "school-ish" thing on the list. But if you do it while listening to your favorite playlist and sipping lemonade, it won't feel like a chore. Toss the broken markers and refill bins. Future you will be grateful.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
14. Journal Or Free-Write
Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without any rules. Your thoughts deserve space. Some teachers write one line a day while others create "summer scrapbooks" with quotes and doodles. However you do it, writing can help you gain clarity.
15. Take A Class (That's Not About Teaching)
If you want to acquire a new skill, baking sourdough or mastering a DSLR camera, take a class purely for yourself. It can reignite curiosity and remind you that adults can learn just for the joy of it.
16. Mentor Or Network With Other Teachers
Summer's slower pace makes it easier to share resources or even vent with fellow educators. Join a community group, grab coffee with a colleague, or reach out to a new teacher. Teaching doesn't have to be a solo sport.
17. Indulge In Guilty Pleasures
TV series binges and midnight snacks aren't just guilty pleasures but also comfort rituals. Permit yourself to unwind in the silliest, most indulgent ways. You've carried a heavy load, and it’s time to let yourself feel light.
18. Build Or Refresh Your Teacher Portfolio
If you're dreaming of a role shift, summer's the perfect time to update your resume, teaching philosophy, and lesson samples. You can even start a digital portfolio on platforms like Canva to prep for future interviews.
19. Create A Back-To-School Ritual
When August creeps in, ease the transition with a ritual just for you. You may decide to treat yourself to a new planner and a solo brunch or write a letter to your future class. Small, personal traditions help shift gears with intention.
20. Don't Feel Guilty For Doing Nothing
Some days, doing "nothing" is the most important thing you can do. Nap or lie in a hammock for hours. After being in overdrive for 10 months, silence and stillness aren't wasted time but preparation for another year of showing up with heart.
