20 things every teacher should do this summer

I loved loved loved loved loved loved (ok, you get the point) being a teacher. Because of this and because I have some friends asking what are the best things that a teacher should do over the summer break I thought I would share a list of 20 things every teacher should do this summer! So grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, pass this list on to a friend, and start crossing some of these items off of your list!

Goodbye School Year, Hello Summer!

1. Sleep!

2. Take time for yourself (get away from school life)

3. Reflect on the past year and consider how you want to make changes for the coming year.

4. Find something that inspires you and pursue that this summer. Is there anything better than an inspired teacher in the classroom? I think not.

5. Take a class in a subject area that interests you (or in your discipline).

6. Schedule that dentist, doctor, eye (ok you get the point) appointment that you don't have time for during the school year.

7. Get your car checked out and serviced.

8. If you need extra income but need a break from teaching consider taking a part-time job away from the education field.

9. Spend time with family and friends. Treasure the moments everyday.

10. Y'all know I love clothes and this isn't vain, but seriously get rid of a "teacher outfit" and pick out a new outfit sometime this summer for the upcoming school.

11. Travel for professional reasons {There are some organizations that have opportunities for teachers during the summer holiday!} or for personal reasons.

12.Find new (and easy) lunch and dinner recipes for the year! One of my favorite recipe website is: www.allrecipes.com. Lots of options to choose from there!

13.Exercise.

14. If you have professional development credits that you need to accomplish in the coming year consider completing these credits over the summer so that you don't have to worry about that during the school year.

15. Explore yard sales for new items for your classroom. Over the years I found tons of History books at such a wonderful price that I was able to supplement my classroom with quality books that I otherwise would not have been able to afford. I also found wonderful magazine racks that I used for a couple of years in my classroom. These "bigger items" along with tons of smaller ones provided perfect things for my room!

16. Plan for the coming year.

17. Collaborate with other teachers via personal conversations, conferences, or a phone call.

18. Create posters, charts, or anything that needs to be laminated and get it laminated. (Because seriously- who has time during the year? *smiles*)

19. Think through and write out your professional and personal goals for the upcoming year.

20. Send thank you notes to those who inspired you and helped you throughout the year. Ok, y'all know that I am a big supporter of old fashioned letter writing and this is truly an opportunity to reflect on all of the good that happened throughout the past year. Sending thank you notes reminds you of all of the amazing moments that took place in the past year.