Teachers’ Summer Vacation – Regroup, Reenergize, and Remember

Posted by Barb on June 10, 2010

Yes, the last day of school is here, and I have a laundry list of summer projects. If you are anything like me, I take a few days (sometimes a week) to sleep in, catch up on chores, and start my summer exercise routine. I feel my stress level going down and my mind beginning to clear during these first few days of vacation. Life is once again making sense, the dark circles under my eyes are fading, and find time to stretch out on my hammock to read a book of my choosing. This is also the time when I know I’m ready to begin to regroup, reenergize, and remember.

For me regrouping has two parts. First it is time put up down the red pen and look around your home. Do you notice familiar looking family members? Take some time to reconnect with them by doing something you all enjoy. My husband and I enjoy riding our bikes, watching movies, and just sitting outside in the evenings with a glass of wine talking. I also make sure I travel to visit my parents, and then we all head down to the shore (the Jersey shore) for a week long family reunion. Seventeen people sitting on the beach in a large semicircle catching up on what has happened since last summer. Family, especially my siblings, will always pull me back to reality and keep me grounded.

The second part of my regrouping plan means taking time for myself. That may sound selfish, but I am a firm believer that since I’ve worked hard all year long, I need to pamper myself. I start by having a manicure and pedicure. I find that by spend some time on me, I come back with a fresh outlook and I’m ready to jump in. I also set aside time a few times a week to retreat to my hammock with a good book. Books of my choosing, books I didn’t have time for during the school year, books that take me away.

I reenergize for the next school year by continuing my professional development. Teachers should try to stay current either by attending workshops, taking classes, reading educational books, joining online educational forums, or catching up on educational journals. I want to read at least one book about teaching reading and one book about the state of education today.

Remembering is looking back on my teaching career and my last classes. This always leads to lots of questions such as: What have I learned? What do I want to change? Can I change it? What were the successes? And what could I have done better? These are just a few that swim around in my head off and on throughout the summer. I jot down notes of things I’d like to try differently or concentrate more on in the upcoming school year.

So as you begin your summer vacation, take a few minutes to come up with your list. Then relax and rejuvenate, because your next group of students is counting on us.

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