Believe it or not, preparing for next school year without losing your summer is possible. You can head into the new school year refreshed, focused, and ready. With just a few intentional steps, you can reduce August stress and protect your time to relax, recharge, and reconnect.
1. Reflect on Last Year…Briefly
Spend 30 minutes jotting down:
- What worked well
- What didn’t
- Ideas you want to try next year
- Want to use a tool? Jay Schaur shared this Reflections and Directions tool via Edutopia.
2. Batch Your “Easy Wins”
Prep simple items that save time later:
- Welcome letters or intro slides
- Icebreakers for week one
- A class supply checklist
Knocking these out now makes back-to-school week feel much more manageable.
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3. Clean One Digital Space
Choose just one thing to organize:
- Google Drive folders (Dr. Tyler Tarver to the rescue!)
- Your email inbox (Dr. Tyler Tarver rescues again!)
- A digital planner or LMS
- Light digital cleanup now = smoother planning later.
4. Choose One Fun Learning Activity
Keep professional development low-pressure! TeachBetter can help!
Only pursue what genuinely sparks interest. TeachBetter blogger Dana Goodier suggests, “You are in charge of how little or how much time you want to devote to PD in the summer. Choose what works for you, and enjoy the weeks of learning or traveling!”
5. Put Rest on the Calendar
Actually, schedule things that bring you joy:
- Quiet mornings
- Family trips
- Creative time
When rest is planned, it’s more likely to happen. Trevor Muir’s YouTube video helps explain why you are so tired. He says, “Being a teacher is tiring. Being tired…is worth it!”
7. Reconnect Casually With Colleagues
Make prep feel social:
- Plan a lunch meet-up
- Text about classroom ideas
- Swap strategies for the first week
No pressure, just connection and inspiration. Peter Dewitt, Ed. D. wrote about the importance of connection way back in 2015! He wrote, “Being connected helps us unify our voices so we can show that we are more innovative than people may believe, but also poke the hornet’s nest so others won’t rest on the laurels of accomplishments from decades ago.” (corwin-connect.com)
Final Thought: Balance Is the Best Prep
Back-to-school prep without losing your summer isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters now, so you can enjoy your break and start strong. When teachers feel rested and ready, everyone benefits.
We’d love to hear from you!
What are your go-to teacher summer prep tips? Share them using #TeachBetter.
About Suzanne Rogers
Suzanne M. Rogers is an accomplished, passionate, technology-inspired educator, experienced conference presenter, and yoga enthusiast. She is the Assistant Director of Public Relations at LISA Academy Public Charter Schools. In addition to her 20 years of work in education, Suzanne also serves on the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Educator Advisory Board, the UCA Executive Advisory Board, the UCA MAT Program Advisory Board, and the SAU ERZ Advisory.
Suzanne’s passion for education and her community is evident in her involvement in these organizations, where she works tirelessly to support students and educators. As an #ArmyMom and former #AFbrat, Suzanne brings a unique perspective to her work, understanding firsthand the sacrifices made by military families. Suzanne exemplifies dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence.
