Summer Tips for Teachers, to Ensure a Stress-Free BTS

As the sun shines brightly and the temperature rises, you can easily get caught up in the blissful relaxation of summer vacation. However, using this time wisely is crucial to prepare for the upcoming school year. Following this easy summer teacher tips checklist, you can ensure a stress-free transition back to the classroom. This blog will explore an easy-to-follow checklist to help you organize and set up for the start of the school year! 

Summer Tips on Reflecting on the Previous Year

While we highly recommend you take the time to reflect on your previous school year, we also recommend you leave the heavy lifting regarding curriculum development, creating a schedule, etc., for later in the summer. 

PRO-TIP: Are you a new teacher? No worries, we have you covered! Check out the New Teacher Survival Guide to kick-start your summer!

Reflecting on your teaching methods and strategies will help you set goals and plan for the upcoming year more effectively. A great way to stay consistent about goal setting is to reflect at the end of each quarter and remember to write everything down, as it will give you an idea of what to focus on during the summer.

Some questions to help you reflect on your school year:

• What were the highlights of the school year? What moments or achievements made you feel proud or inspired?
• What were the biggest challenges you faced during the year? How did you overcome them, and what did you learn from those experiences?
• How did you foster a positive classroom environment and promote a sense of belonging among your students?
• What strategies or instructional approaches worked well for your students? Were there any techniques that didn’t yield the desired outcomes?
• How did you utilize technology and online platforms to enhance learning and engagement? If applicable, what did you discover about the strengths and limitations of remote or hybrid teaching?
• How did you communicate and collaborate with parents or guardians throughout the year? In what ways did you establish solid partnerships and involvement to support student progress

Taking your answers to these questions, consider PD opportunities or books you can read during the summer (don’t worry, we will talk more about this)!

Recharge and Relax

As a teacher, we know you work hard, and using the summer break to relax and recharge your batteries is essential. Engage in activities that bring you joy and help you de-stress.

Spend time with family and friends, travel, read books, pursue hobbies, or enjoy downtime. Taking care of your well-being will ensure you return to school with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Summer Teacher Tips for Professional Development

Summer is an excellent time to invest in your professional development. If you find yourself investing time into growth, don’t feel guilty! You’ve earned this time to use in whatever way is most relaxing, whether that is a Netflix marathon or PD!  

To get the most out of your time, research PD opportunities and only sign up for those that align with the goals you developed from the last school year’s reflection. 

Attend workshops, conferences, or online courses related to your subject area or teaching methodologies. These opportunities will enhance your skills and update you with the latest educational trends and techniques.

There are quite several ways to find and participate in PD, including:

• School and District Workshops
• Online platforms and courses (Udemy, Coursera, EdX)
• Conferences (ISTE)
• Webinars and Online Communities
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

This summer, join our asynchronous book club or on-demand webinar and earn continuing education or professional development credits while gaining skills and knowledge for your next school year.

ClassTag Book Club

In this asynchronous summer course, you can explore two books, Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking Stakes Are High and Reading for Life. After finishing the course, you’ll earn four professional credit hours. Best yet, these books were chosen by teachers and are facilitated by teachers!

Crucial Conversations aims to improve your communication skills, enhance your ability to handle difficult conversations and foster healthier and more productive relationships. Crucial Conversations is also a perfect book for those teachers looking to build strong parent involvement or create a better classroom community.

Reading for Life focuses on giving high-quality literacy instruction to every student with practical techniques. These easy-to-implement solutions are easy to implement and reinforce at home.

ClassTag Summer Webinars

Building trust with families can be challenging, but we believe every parent can be a partner in their child’s education. We’ll give you practical, easy-to-implement strategies to build relationships with families that will increase student achievement and help with classroom management.

Classroom Organization, Decoration and Supplies

Many teachers love thinking about how they want their classroom to look when students return. Summertime is fun to think about your classroom layout, theme, bulletin boards and student work displays. 

Since it is summertime, and you may not have access to your classroom, consider thinking about fun, easy ways to spruce up your classroom while optimizing student learning. Begin collecting items for your classroom so you’re ready on day one!

Summer Teacher Tips to Maximize Getting Back-to-School Supplies

Summertime is also great for taking advantage of back-to-school sales and discounts. Start by listing supplies you might need for decorating your classroom and stocking up on essentials. A well-thought-out list of supplies will help you coordinate where to get resources. 

PRO-TIP: Our teachers are always full of fantastic inspiration for classroom setup. Check out some of their ideas on our Pinterest board!

We know teachers often need help with getting classroom supplies or end up using their funds. If you’re struggling with finding supplies, consider some of the following options:

• Donations from retiring teachers
• Adopt-a-teacher run by local organizations
• Back-to-school supply drives

In Conclusion

By following this easy summer checklist, teachers can make the most of their summer break and set themselves up for a stress-free back-to-school experience. Remember to reflect, recharge, and plan to ensure a successful and fulfilling academic year. 

With proper preparation and self-care, you’ll be ready to welcome your new students and create an engaging learning environment. Enjoy your summer, and here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!