You know what I love in those beginning days of June: my teacher summer checklist. Okay, I confess that my first love is that my time is my own. But my teacher summer to do list is a close second. There is something that is so exciting to me about the thought of the entire summer stretched out before me. I have a million ideas in my head about all the things that I want to do this summer. But as is with most teachers, I feel scattered without a summer to do list. I want to dedicate time to myself but build in time to focus on my classroom again when I am ready. That’s why I created this teacher summer checklist so you can do it all this summer!
Before you start checking off those items on my teacher summer checklist, let me help you out. If you want to spend more of your time reading your TBR books instead of lesson planning, then I have the perfect resource for you. Check out my First Day Class Activities. Instead of boring your students by reading your syllabus, use these first day of school activities stations. In this print or digital resource, students will be allowed to choose how they get to know about your class and how they share about themselves with you as the teacher. Now that you have the first day covered, let’s build that teacher summer to do list.
Summer Teacher Prep: A Vision for Your Summer
My Teacher Summer Schedule
At the beginning of each June, I create and plan my teacher summer schedule. As you know, just because we have off does not mean we do nothing. My first step is to create a list of things that I want to accomplish this summer in each area of my life: personal, family, and teaching. This list includes projects, appointments, trips, and reading. I take out my calendar and fill in all the known dates for these things: dentist appointments, vacations, swim lessons, etc. Then I look at each week of my teacher vacation and add one task from each part of this checklist.
Personally, I like to blend my to-dos by having different days dedicated to different parts of the teacher summer checklist. I will make time each night to read what I want to read but might spend a specific day each week working on planning for next year. I will normally dedicate a few days to taking a new course. And I will add my personal self-care ideas too: pedicure, kid-free day, girlfriend’s brunch, etc. Now of course this calendar won’t be perfect and things will change. But by scheduling these items on the calendar, I don’t have to worry about not making time for everything I want to get done. Plus, I have built-in time to get ready for next school year too.
Your Teacher Summer Break Vision
Okay, now it’s your turn. I want you to create a specific vision for your summer. Consider these questions to create your summer bucket list.
- What do you want to do this summer for yourself?
- What do you want to do with your family?
- What big projects do you want to tackle in your personal life?
- What about in your classroom?
- Where do you want to go this summer?
- What do you want to read?
Now, that you have your teacher summer bucket list. Grab a calendar and start adding the items for which you already know the dates. Create timelines for yourself for the other items on your list. Okay, now you are ready for my teacher summer checklist to make sure you didn’t miss anything!
Summer To Do List for Teachers
1. Reflect on the past school year and set goals for the upcoming year
The best time is now to reflect on this past school year. While you may want to turn off your teacher brain for a little while, don’t wait too long. Once you enter your summer bliss, the memories of this past year will fade. Take some time to reflect on the past school year and think about what went well and what could have gone better. Consider what changes you can make to improve your teaching and the learning experience for your students. Set specific goals for the upcoming school year and create a plan to achieve them. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the year.
2. Take time for self-care and relaxation to avoid burnout
Remember that teacher bucket list you created? This step is all about making sure you have added time for yourself! As a teacher, it’s important to prioritize self-care and relaxation during your summer break to avoid burnout during the school year. This can include activities such as practicing yoga or meditation, spending time with loved ones or taking a vacation. By taking care of yourself and recharging your batteries, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of the upcoming school year. Don’t forget to also set boundaries and limit work-related tasks during your time off to fully enjoy your summer break. I want you to prepare for next year but really take time for you because that matters way more.
3. Read what you want to read
As an English teacher, I always have a stack of TBR (To Be Read) novels just waiting for me. Summer is when I take time to read as many books as I can and you should too. Don’t feel obligated to read anything you don’t want to. If you love romance novels but haven’t had the time, spend your nights staying up late finishing that next chapter. Because yes we can stay up later without fear of dragging during our lessons the next day. Create a list of must-reads for the summer and set a goal for yourself. Add time into your schedule to read each day. Let yourself enjoy reading with no strings attached.
4. Attend professional development opportunities or take online courses
Online courses are trending right now and I am here for it! Want to learn more about how to teach book clubs? Take a mini course with a well-known English teacher you follow on Instagram. The best part about these courses is that they are normally offered both live and for a rewatch so you can watch it multiple times at your own pace. Plus, the resources they offer are worth the price. Don’t be afraid to ask your administration to have these course count towards PD. Not only will this help you improve your teaching, but it will also show your dedication to your profession and make you a more valuable asset to your school.
5. Plan and organize your classroom for the upcoming year
Now that you learned some new skills and are brimming with great ideas, take some time to plan and organize your next school year. I recommend late July or early August to start this process. You will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the upcoming year. This includes decluttering and reorganizing your classroom space, creating a seating chart, and planning out your lesson plans for the first few weeks of school. You can also take this time to stock up on necessary supplies and materials, such as pencils, paper, and textbooks. By getting organized and prepared ahead of time, you can start the school year off on the right foot and reduce stress throughout the year.
Resources to Help You with Your Teacher Summer Checklist
Five First Week of Class Activities for High School ELA
7 Amazing Activities for the First Day of Class in High School
How to Set-Up Writer’s Notebook: Tips for Success in the Classroom
Want An Outstanding First Day of School Activity
Using back to school stations for a seamless first day
The Hungry Teacher’s Summer Workshop Series
I hope that this teacher summer checklist helps you feel rested and ready for the next school year. Remember your vision for your summer and go after it! The best part about the summer is that you aren’t on a schedule so if things don’t get done in the time you give, that’s no problem. I would love to see how you use this teacher summer checklist. If you have some new ideas for my checklist, tag me or send me a DM @theteacherrewrite on Instagram. You can always see what other great things I am working on this summer by checking out my blog.
If you want a head start on your next school year, check out my First Day Class Activities. In this resource, there are stations for you to get to know your students without doing all the talking. Each station includes easy-to-use directions, links to necessary paperwork, templates, printables, and examples of these activities on the first day of school. This resource comes in two versions: numbered station cards and unnumbered station cards which each include a color and a black and white version. You will be all set for the first day of class with just a few customized changes. I can’t wait to see how you crush your summer by using this teacher summer checklist!
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