It’s summer time and that means a collective sigh has gone up around the nation. No, not from the students who are done with school but from the teachers who are done with the students… at least until the fall. Here then are some helpful handy suggestions for what to do on your summer vacation. That is after the first week when you’re just a coach potato catching up on your Tivo.
1. Head for the Hills or Some Other Place
You need to get away from anything that reminds you of school, classes, papers and students. Even if it’s just a weekend surrounded by nature at least it qualifies as a complete break from the same four walls you stared at for the last six months.
2. Expand Your Horizons
Take a class. Wait! Don’t throw out your keyboard! Take a class that’s just for you. Maybe you always wanted to spin some pottery or finally figure out how to use that digital camera. This is can be new hobby time.
3. Pamper Thyself
When was the last time you have a really good massage? How about a spa day? And this isn’t just for the ladies. I seem to remember a witty host taking a plunge in a mud bath and finding it to be quite refreshing. Bottom line is to treat yourself to something special.
4. Give Yourself A Grade
After you’ve chilled out for a bit, take a couple of hours and look back on the school year and while you’re at it give yourself a grade. How did you do? Where did you shine? Where is the room for improvement? Go ahead and make a list. Why not?
5. Catch Up
While you’ve been down in the trenches feeding young minds, things have been happening all around the country with regard to education. You might be aware of some of it but now you can get caught up on all the No Child Left Behind changes, the new textbooks from Texas and where your school and state ranks among the others across the nation. This isn’t so much a homework assignment as it’s dedicating a couple of hours to online surfing.
6. Stay Ahead of the Subject Curve
No matter which subject or subjects you’re teaching there’s always room to learn a bit more. Summer is a perfect time to catch up on some journal reading or even rediscover some old literary friends.
7. Find Room to Improve
Wait until the last month of the vacation and ease your way back into the grind by reviewing your lesson plans. How can you improve upon them? What really worked for the kids? What was a dud? Giving yourself some prep time before the onslaught will make for a smoother transition from vacation to school house rock.
8. Gold Stars or Demerits?
It’s rare to find the perfect class with no discipline problems. How do you handle your “special” kids when they are late or don’t turn in assignments or disrupt the class? Do you think your methods are effective? Take some time to consider other options and methods. There’s a vast world of experience out there waiting to be asked!
9. Reignite Your Passion
There was a reason you became a teacher. Hopefully that reason was to inspire and educate. So what inspires you? This might be the time to reconnect with your teaching passion especially if you have been feeling a bit burned out. A few inspirational movies or books from other passionate educators can do just the trick.
10. Take a Teacher to Lunch
Ahhh, lunch. You remember lunch; it’s that midday meal you used to enjoy at a restaurant where your food is delivered on nice plates and not plastic trays. Call up a fellow teacher and go to lunch. Maybe it’s time to form some new alliances. No better way then a good lunch.
There you have it. And yes, you will be expected to turn in a paper entitled (say it with me) “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.”
— Meyer
One Comment
LOVE that you have a fly fishing photo there! Mike, do you fly fish? When you are in NJ, my husband (and a teacher) and I are fly fishing instructors. We would love to take you fishing!