What Teachers Should Really Be Doing During Summer Break (Besides Resting)

 What Teachers Should Really Be Doing During Summer Break (Besides Resting)

Summer break—those two golden months every teacher dreams of during the final stretch of the school year. After months of early mornings, grading marathons, emotional labor, and lesson plan gymnastics, it’s finally time to hit pause. But while rest and recovery are non-negotiable (seriously, rest), summer also presents a rare opportunity for teachers to reflect, reset, and even reignite their passion for the profession in ways that don’t involve laminators or standardized testing guides.

Here are some meaningful, refreshing, and realistic ways teachers can make the most of their summer break—without turning it into another job.

Recover Like It’s Your Job (Because It Is)

Let’s start here: burnout is real. Teaching requires immense emotional and mental energy, and summer is a necessary time to recharge your nervous system. Don’t feel guilty about sleeping in, binge-watching old sitcoms, or spending three hours at a coffee shop with a book that has nothing to do with education. This isn’t being unproductive—it’s preventative care.

Pro Tip: Try a “detox” week from anything school-related. No emails. No Pinterest classroom boards. Just you and whatever makes you feel human again.

Reflect on the Year—Gently

Once you’ve reintroduced yourself to rest, consider taking a low-pressure look back on your year. What lessons worked? Where did students engage the most? What classroom moments surprised you, in good or challenging ways?

This reflection isn’t about judgment—it’s about growth. Keep a small summer journal or voice-memo your thoughts while on a walk. The goal is insight, not a five-year plan.

Update Your Toolbox—Strategically

Summer is the perfect time to explore new tools and strategies without the daily pressure of implementation. But resist the urge to overhaul everything.

• Try one new edtech tool and test it on your own time.

• Read one professional development book—not five.

• Watch a couple of webinars or join a summer workshop (bonus if they’re in fun locations or offer certificates you can bank for PD hours).

Hot Tip: Ask yourself, “What’s one small change that could make next year easier or more engaging for me and my students?”

Connect with Your Why

The pace of the school year often pushes teachers into survival mode. Summer is a rare chance to reconnect with your purpose. Why did you start teaching? Who inspired you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

Read inspiring education memoirs, follow thought-provoking teacher accounts, or reconnect with colleagues who remind you why this work matters. This soul-nourishing work isn’t fluff—it’s fuel.

Say Yes to Non-Teaching Adventures

Travel. Take an art class. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Learn how to make sourdough. Let yourself be a beginner again. Doing something totally unrelated to teaching is not a distraction—it sharpens your perspective, sparks creativity, and brings joy back into your life.

Bonus: These real-life experiences often become the best stories, examples, and connections you bring back to the classroom.

Plan Lightly—Just Enough

Yes, back-to-school is always closer than it seems. But don’t let it consume July. Instead of detailed unit plans, consider:

• Mapping out your first week of routines.

• Refreshing your classroom library with new reads.

• Creating reusable templates for newsletters, parent communication, or sub plans.

Aim for structure, not stress.

Prioritize You

You are a whole human being, not just a teacher. Summer is your time to invest in yourself—your health, your hobbies, your relationships, and your peace of mind. There is no professional development workshop more important than your own wellness.

In Conclusion: Rest is Revolutionary

Let’s flip the narrative: Teachers who use summer to rest, reflect, and recharge aren’t slacking—they’re modeling sustainability and self-respect in a profession that too often asks for everything.

So if you're a teacher reading this, take a deep breath. You’ve earned this time. Use it well—not just to prep for next year, but to care for the person who will be standing in front of that whiteboard come fall.

Because when you return as a rested, inspired version of yourself, your students benefit too.