After months of early mornings, lesson planning, grading papers, answering emails, and pouring so much of yourself into your students, summer break is finally here! While it’s tempting to jump straight into organizing your classroom or planning next year’s lessons, summer is also your chance to slow down and refill your own cup. So today, let’s pause together and talk about ways teachers can recharge over the summer.
Teachers Need and Deserve to Recharge!
The school year asks so much of teachers, and taking time to rest isn’t something you have to earn. It’s something you need! Whether your perfect summer includes traveling, staying home, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a slower pace, finding ways to recharge can help you return to the classroom feeling refreshed and ready for a new school year.
Here are five of my favorite ways to recharge over summer break.
1. Spend Time by the Water
One of my favorite ways to relax during the summer is spending time anywhere near the water. Whether it’s a pool, the beach, a lake, or even a quiet river, there’s just something calming about being outside with the sun shining and the water nearby.
I’m not much of a swimmer. I’ll hop in to cool off for a little while, but I’m usually happiest sitting in a lounge chair with a good drink, enjoying the sunshine, and watching my daughter have fun. Those slow, peaceful moments are exactly what I need after the busy school year.
You don’t have to plan an expensive vacation to enjoy time by the water. Check your local parks for lakes, splash pads, or community pools, or pack a picnic and spend an afternoon at a nearby beach if you have one within driving distance. Even reading a book outside beside a neighborhood pool can give you that relaxing summer feeling.
Even if you don’t have a vacation planned, finding a few opportunities to slow down by the water can help you recharge before the new school year begins.
2. Pick Up a Good Book
During the school year, I spend so much time reading lesson plans, student work, emails, and professional materials that reading for fun often gets pushed aside. Summer is the perfect opportunity to finally dive into a great book.
I like to mix professional books that inspire me as a teacher with books that are simply fun to read. Here are a few favorites for the professional side of things:
- The Leader in Me by Sean Covey
- Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess
- The Happy Teacher Habits: 11 Habits of the Happiest, Most Effective Teachers on Earth by Michael Linsin
If you’re not sure where to start, ask teacher friends what books have inspired them, browse your local library, or check out recommendations from other educators online.
I also like to choose one professional development book and one just-for-fun novel each summer. That way, I still grow as an educator while making plenty of time to read simply because I enjoy it.
3. Get Moving
Exercise is something I try to make time for all year long. During the school year, my workouts are usually pretty quick because life gets busy. Most days, I squeeze in a 30-minute class after work and maybe a longer workout on the weekend.
Summer gives me the freedom to slow down and actually enjoy being active.
My daughter and I love taking evening walks together, exploring local parks, and enjoying the beautiful weather. I also spend more time at the gym trying different classes, lifting weights, and challenging myself in new ways. Weight lifting has become one of my favorite workouts, and it’s been fun seeing how much stronger I’ve become.
If you’re just getting started, keep it simple. Aim for a short walk a few times each week, try a beginner workout video at home, or find a local fitness class that sounds fun. The goal isn’t to follow the perfect fitness routine. It’s to find movement that helps you feel energized and refreshed before the new school year begins.
4. Try New Foods and Treats
If you know me, you know I love good food!
Summer is one of my favorite times to explore new local restaurants, try fun seasonal treats, and enjoy meals without rushing through them between meetings or after-school activities.
One tradition my daughter and I started is something we call Ice Cream Wednesdays. Every Wednesday, we visit a different ice cream shop around town. Sometimes we discover a new favorite spot, and other times we return to the places we already love.
It’s become one of those simple traditions that we both look forward to every week. It’s inexpensive, fun, and gives us quality time together while making memories.
Looking for ideas? Make a summer bucket list of restaurants you’ve always wanted to try, visit a local farmers market, or ask friends for their favorite hidden gems around town. Sometimes the best memories come from the places you discover close to home.
5. Loosely Plan for Next School Year
This might sound surprising, but one thing that actually helps me relax is spending a little time thinking about next school year.
Notice I said a little.
Summer planning doesn’t have to mean spending hours in your classroom or creating every lesson months in advance. Instead, I like to reflect on the previous school year by asking myself a few simple questions.
- What worked really well?
- Which lessons need a little tweaking?
- What routines made my classroom run smoothly?
- Is there anything I’d like to try next year?
If reflecting on an entire school year feels overwhelming, start with just one page in a notebook. Write down three things that worked well, three things you’d like to improve, and one new idea you’d love to try next year. Keeping your notes simple makes them much easier to revisit when back-to-school season arrives. To make this even easier, break it down by season in your head and consider those questions for each one.
You can also create a simple folder, either on your computer or in a binder, where you save ideas as they come to you throughout the summer. Maybe you find a classroom organization tip, a fun first-week activity, or a read-aloud you want to use. Having one place to collect those ideas makes planning feel much less stressful later on.
As summer starts winding down, I’ll also make a short list of easy, low-prep activities for the first few weeks of school. Having those ideas ready helps me start the year feeling organized without sacrificing my summer break.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s simply giving your future self a small head start while still protecting your time to rest!
Give Yourself Permission to Recharge
Every teacher recharges differently, and that’s okay. Some teachers love traveling. Others enjoy staying home, tackling a few projects, spending time with family, or simply catching up on sleep.
Whatever fills your cup, make time for it!
The classroom will be waiting when summer ends, but these weeks are your opportunity to rest, reconnect with the people you love, and do the things that bring you joy. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s one of the best ways to make sure you have the energy, patience, and excitement to welcome a brand new group of students in the fall.
Looking for Simple Ideas to Add to Your List for next Year?
When you’re ready to start thinking about the new school year, be sure to check out these back to school blog posts. They’re packed with fun, low-prep ideas that will help you ease back into classroom routines, build classroom community, and start the year with confidence!
- Classroom Setup Tips to Organize Everything
- 6 Fun Back to School Activities for Kindergarten
- 13 Back to School Shape Activities for Kindergarten
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