Balancing Summer-Work Life

TL;DR:

Educators and school staff don’t typically have summers off. They use this time for professional development and administrative tasks.
To balance work and personal life during the summer, educators should create new boundaries, communicate their availability, and prioritize tasks effectively.
Embracing technology, flexibility, and learning to say no can help educators manage their workload and enjoy summer while fulfilling their professional obligations.
Achieving work-life harmony requires conscious effort and adaptability.

Did you know that all educators don’t take summers off? In fact, many educators use the summer as a time to develop professionally, redesign classrooms, or write curricula. Instructional leaders and office staff rarely get a summer break as well. They spend time catching up on administrative tasks, making class lists, interviewing and training new hires, and much more!

As the warm breeze ushers in the season of summer, these educators find themselves facing a unique challenge—balancing their work commitments with the desire to embrace the joys of the season just like the rest of their school community. So how can these educators create a space to enjoy the bliss of summer while still completing all the necessary duties?

Create New Boundaries

One of the most crucial aspects of balancing work and personal life during the summer is resetting others’ expectations and setting new work boundaries. Define specific times when you can unplug from work, allowing yourself to fully engage in leisure activities or spend quality time with loved ones. Communicate these boundaries with your colleagues and team members, ensuring they understand your availability and respect your personal time.

By setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, utilizing technology, and embracing flexibility, educators can navigate the summer season while maintaining their professional commitments and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Click To Tweet

Prioritize the Tasks

The summer workload can oftentimes be dictated by the due date of the task. This makes it essential to prioritize tasks effectively. Identify the most critical and time-sensitive responsibilities, ensuring they receive your immediate attention. Simultaneously, consider delegating non-urgent tasks or projects to capable team members, empowering them to take ownership and freeing up your time to enjoy summer activities guilt-free.

Embrace Flexibility

Since Covid, educational institutions have begun to embrace technology programs, asynchronous learning, and remote working environments. Find ways to become more efficient with daily tasks using project management programs. Leverage email and asynchronous learning to share information with staff, parents, and new employees. Explore the possibility of flexible work hours or remote work arrangements with administration and teams. A flexible work environment can allow you to enjoy outdoor activities, family outings, or vacations while still fulfilling your professional obligations.

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The Power of Saying No

Our superhero educators who work over the summer usually encompass natural problem-solving skills and long to people-please. To balance the summer work-life, it’s essential to recognize the power of saying no. Learn to evaluate requests and commitments objectively, and don’t be afraid to decline or delegate tasks that exceed your capacity or disrupt your work-life harmony. By setting boundaries and managing your workload effectively, you can avoid burnout and maintain your summer bliss.

Finding the Harmony

Balancing work and personal life during the summer as an overachieving educator is undoubtedly a challenge, but with proper strategies in place, it’s achievable.

Remember, achieving work-life harmony is an ongoing process that requires conscious effort and adaptability. So, go ahead, soak up the sun, and savor the joys of summer while successfully managing your administrative responsibilities.

About Ashley Hubner

Ashley Hubner is an Educational Consultant in Sarasota County, Florida. With 14+ years in education, Ashley has served as an elementary school teacher, math interventionist, instructional coach, social studies curriculum lead, virtual coach, and private sector curriculum designer.

Ashley uses professional development, instructional coaching and curriculum design to support teachers and instructional leaders in developing purposeful, intentional learning experiences for children. She is dedicated to impacting student growth by building capacity within teachers and their instructional effectiveness.

Ashley specializes in elementary literacy and mathematics, integrated curriculums, and classroom management utilizing instructional best practices, relationships, and classroom culture.