Supercharge Your Summer: Resources to Relax, Recharge, and Reignite Your Teaching Journey
As summer break begins, teachers everywhere are breathing a well-earned sigh of relief. The 2024-2025 school year is behind you, and the summer months stretch ahead, full of potential for rest, reflection, and maybe even a little planning! Whether you’re looking to completely unplug or sneak in a few resources to get ahead, this guide has everything you need.
Let’s divide it into two parts: Relax + Recharge and Reignite Your Classroom Magic, because summer should be both restorative and energizing.
Step 1: Relax + Recharge
Before you think about bulletin boards and lesson plans, think about you. Here are a few ways to fully embrace your summer:
Top Podcasts to Unwind and Get Inspired
- “The Lazy Genius Collective” - From easy summer activities to practical life advice, explore new perspectives with Kendra Adachi, a three-time New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and expert on compassionate time management. [read more]
- “Teachers Off Duty” - Educators share their funny moments, unexpected stories, and classroom experiences in this casual podcast. [read more]
- “The Edtech Podcast” - Get inspired and think outside the box with new education technology and fresh teaching ideas. [read more]
Must-Read Memoirs for Teachers
- The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life by Parker Palmer - A reflective exploration of the inner life of educators, emphasizing that effective teaching stems from the teacher's integrity and identity, not just teaching techniques. [read more]
- I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids by Kyle Schwartz - Explores the profound impact of a simple classroom exercise where students complete the sentence, "I wish my teacher knew...," [read more]
- The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator's Creative Breakthrough by Wade King and Hope King - empowers teachers to tap into their unique strengths, passions, and life experiences to deliver creative, engaging lessons that captivate students and make learning stick, regardless of their background or teaching style. [read more]
Creative Hobbies That Spark Joy
- Try watercolor journaling, puzzle-solving, or digital scrapbooking.
- Learn something new! Explore platforms like Skillshare or YouTube for quick tutorials.
- Join a summer book club or writing challenge for teachers.
Get Outside
- Plan a local hike, visit a botanical garden, or just start a small patio herb garden.
- Make a difference by organizing a clean-up activity in a local park or even around your school.
- Read outdoors! Find a comfortable spot to read and pack some snacks for “brain food”.
Step 2: Reignite Your Classroom Magic
Once you’ve recharged, you may feel that creative spark to look ahead to 2025. Here's how to harness that energy without burning out.
Game-Changing Digital Tools and Websites to Explore
- Canva for Education - Refresh your classroom signage, decorations, and “vibe” with this easy-to-use website that is 100% free for K-12 educators at eligible schools. [read more]
- Bouncy Balls - Need a fun tool to help with noise management? Bouncy Balls is a free, interactive way to monitor and manage noise levels through, you guessed it, digital bouncy balls! [read more]
- Autodesk Instructables - Give your classroom some DIY upgrades with detailed instructional guides. [read more]
Back-to-School Books
- “The First Six Weeks of School” by Center for Responsive Schools Inc. - A trusted, practical guide that helps K-6 teachers establish a positive, engaging, and well-managed classroom from day one. [read more]
- “The Miracle Morning for Teachers: Elevate Your Impact for Yourself and Your Students” by Hal Elrod and Honoree Corder - Adopt a transformative morning practice that boosts personal well-being, sharpens focus, and helps create a more positive, connected, and impactful classroom experience. [read more]
- “Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers: 10 Steps to Reduce Stress, Increase Student Engagement and Reignite Your Passion for Teaching” by Grace Stevens - Offers ten practical strategies grounded in positive psychology to help educators reduce stress, boost student engagement, and rekindle their passion for teaching. [read more]
Classroom Prep Playlist
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
Mindset Shifts to Start the Year Strong
- Adopt a “Progress Over Perfection” Mentality - It’s okay if your classroom isn’t Pinterest-perfect or your lesson plan isn’t flawless. Students respond to authenticity, not perfection. Focus on growth, connection, and showing up with intention.
- Create a Personal Teacher Mission Statement - Take 15 minutes to write down why you teach. Revisit it when the days get long. Your "why" is the anchor that brings clarity to chaos.
- Use a Reflection Journal - Start or end each week with three prompts: What worked? What challenged me? What am I grateful for?
Final Thoughts
This summer, give yourself full permission to rest and prepare, without pressure. Whether you're lounging with a book or playing with new technology tools, everything you do to invest in yourself helps your future students.
Let this be the summer you both enjoy and elevate!
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