Three Things Every Educator Needs this Summer
It’s finally here! The end of the school year and the start of Summer! No doubt you’ve heard of #hotgirlsummer or being in your “summer era” - leaning into the beauty of abandoning stress and embracing happiness. You’re ready to sip a cold drink by the pool, read a book that doesn’t have objectives or standards in its vernacular, and take a break! Go for it! Rest and balance are imperative in high-stress demanding careers like education. It's a crucial time for educators. Here are three ways to make the most of your summer:
Get the Five Star PD 3R Summer Planner!
1. Rest
Unplug from the constant communication and endless questions to recapture hobbies and interests you love. Or discover new interests to step outside your comfort zone with new people and places. Maybe you’re ready for some chair-based yoga or mindfulness practices, either way - prioritize self-care this summer.
Resources for REST
2. Reflect
From your place of calm and centeredness, following a retreat to rest, turn back toward the 23-24 school year. Consider your successes and failures. How can we learn from the “losses” and recreate the "wins"? Are there practices you’d like to continue, those that you can leave behind? As the leader of your classroom, how can you maintain your own needs and meet the needs of your students? What resources may you need to continue your learning journey and set up the 24-25 school year to be your best yet?
Resources for REFLECT
- How to Declutter Your Mind: 10 Practical Tips You’ll Actually Want to Try
3. Recharge
We’ve all been there- “you’re so busy that you don’t even have time to charge your phone” but you need your phone to continue getting stuff done. An impossible situation with a simple solution - stop, plug in, and wait. In the waiting you may find yourself ready to pursue a different path - maybe you pick up a magazine to flip through, step outside and mow the lawn, or even take a nap. However, while you’re waiting, your phone is getting much needed “juice” to perform the tasks you need.
Professional Learning is similar. During the school year we are so pulled in multiple directions, either by our own doing or things outside of our control. The summer is the PERFECT time for you to explore your own professional interests. Learning that is rich, related directly to your needs, has immediate application, and motivates you. Self-directed personalized learning at your own pace is the goal.
During your recharge season, set aside 30 minutes a week to pursue professional growth. Then, when the start of school rolls around, you’ll be ready and motivated for what it brings.
Resources for RECHARGE
- Universal Design for Learning
- aiEDU
By prioritizing your own well-being, you'll return to the classroom feeling centered, motivated, and ready to create an amazing learning experience for your students. Bring on summer! 😎 ☀️
This blog post was written and reviewed by real humans.
