10 Ways for Teachers to Carpe the Heck Out of Every Diem This Summer

by | Jun 19, 2018

Let’s stop perpetuating this summer break lie.
The kids think it’s for them – to give them a break from school.
But, we know.
Summer break is just as much for the teachers!

Congratulations! You survived the school year – another one in the books.
So to add to our very popular Carpe Diem Series. (You can check out the Spring Break edition here) is a list of 10 ways to make every moment count and enjoy your summer like you deserve.

It’s time to relax, refresh, and recharge.
Yes, even if you have kids with you every second of the day.
Yes, even if you are teaching summer school for part of the summer.
And, yes even if you aren’t traveling anywhere.

1. Do one thing at a time

It sounds easy enough right?
Just do one thing. But it may be more challenging than you think.
When is the last time you drank a cup of coffee without multi-tasking? Have you eaten a bowl of cereal without checking your phone or rifling through the old mail? When is the last time you were content and focused on doing just one thing?

Teaching trains us to help one student while gesturing to another and keeping an eye on the whole class all at the same time. We function like this every day and over time it becomes our way of doing everything.

This summer retrain your brain to be in the moment by consciously choosing to do only one thing at a time. You’ll enjoy your meals more, enjoy your company more, and enjoy your time more. I promise.

2. Get social

For some this is a given. Summer IS spending time with friends.
But, for others we are so used to coming straight home from school and putting on those ratty sweats and turning on Netflix to try our hardest to decompress that it might take a little nudge to get back into the social scene. But, you need to. Whether it is grabbing lunch with old college friends, drinks (and non-school talk) with teacher friends, or a hike with the family…
Taking time to remember who you are when you're not in the classroom is an essential 'to-do' of your summer break. #joyinteaching #savetheteachers #teacherresilience Share on X

3. Let the sun shine in

Where I live during the winter teachers don’t see sunlight. It’s dark when we leave for school and dark when we come home. And, as a teacher who has taught in windowless classrooms and windowed rooms with large broken industrial blinds – I know first hand how the lack of sunshine can impact your perspective.

So get all your vitamin D in now (yes, I know it doesn’t work that way and yes, I advocate for sunscreen). Open all the windows, go for a midday outing. Breathe that fresh air, splash in that water, and soak in those rays. It’ll give your perspective a boost and make you feel like you really are “carpe-ing the diems” this summer.

4. Do something brand new

Everyone has that thing. That idea they want to try out, hobby they want to pick up, sport they interested in, or activity they’ve never done, but they’ve always wondered if they wouldn’t be amazing at it. You know the one.

This summer is the perfect time to try out something new. Maybe it means taking a class or doing some research. Perhaps you have to pick up some supplies or sign up to join a group. Whatever it takes, summer is the time to slip into something new and see if it fits. So be brave and give it a try.

5. Let it go

You know the idea. The one that gets you excited, but you’ve never squirreled away the time. That idea you want to try out, hobby they want to pick up, sport they interested in, or activity they’ve never done, but they’ve always wondered if they wouldn’t be amazing at it. You know the one.

This summer is the perfect time to try out something new. Maybe it means taking a class or doing some research. Perhaps you have to pick up some supplies or sign up to join a group. Whatever it takes, summer is the time to slip into something new and see if it fits. So be brave and give it a try.

6. Low Key PD

So you are a teacher. And, although it’s good, healthful, and fun to step away from that part of you a bit during the summer – it’s never really that far away is it? So, unless you are needing to update your credit hours for a program or advancement consider ways to approach your personal and professional development in a low-key summer style. Pick up a book on a new teaching method or hot topic and head to the beach (can I suggest the Joy in Teaching books). Take a fun class with all your teacher friends you never get to really talk to during the school year. Or dig deep into the interwebs and plan your dream unit for next school year from the comfort of your own couch. The essential thing is to make sure it still feels like summer.

7. Indulge (in you)

Use summer to get through your “to-do’s”, load up on credits, take care of all the things you neglect during the hectic school year, but don’t forget about YOU. Make sure you aren’t replacing the stress of a school year with the stress of a summer. Relax, refresh, recharge in whatever way that works for you.

8. PLAY

Seriously. It’s not just for early childhood. Play is for everyone. It helps us connect and disconnect at the same time. It allows us to see from a different perspective and not take ourselves too seriously. Everyone needs play sometimes and summer is the perfect time to let loose.

9. Read for you

I know, I know. You read all the time. You read student’s papers, kids’ books, more papers, PD materials… But it’s summer and now’s the time to pick up that book that you’ve been wanting to read. A fun fiction book, an interesting non-fiction, maybe a new professional book, or a self-help book.
Super-summer bonus points: Join (or form) a book club. I just did and it’s got me excited for meeting new people, drinking some wine, and discussing non-teachery books all summer long.

Here are some summer book recommendations:

SOME FICTION
I am currently reading this fiction book: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. I originally saw this as an addition to Reese Witherspoon’s book club. This book is funny and unexpected with a dead-pan, socially awkward protagonist and an unexpected friendship that demonstrates the importance of human connection.

THE CLASSIC
I often try to pair a fiction book with a more classic book that I haven’t gotten to and last summers classic was Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Many of the poems embrace nature, wandering, and finding yourself which makes it a perfect addition to your summer reading list.

THE ONE EVERYONE HAS READ
Be in the know again. Do you feel like you have missed out on a book everyone else has read? Pick up a popular title an then catch up on the spin-offs, like Wonder by R.J. Palacio and its children’s book version, quote book, and more stories… as well as note cards and a movie.
THE ONE TO HELP YOU RECHARGE
If you’re looking for a read that will inspire you to start the next school year with strength and resilience then check out The Joy in Teaching book and companion workbook by me, Dr. Tiffany A. Carr. You can also find out more about these texts and how to score discounts for group book studies and professional development over at https://joyinteaching.com/books.

6. Low Key PD

So you are a teacher. And, although it’s good, healthful, and fun to step away from that part of you a bit during the summer – it’s never really that far away is it? So, unless you are needing to update your credit hours for a program or advancement consider ways to approach your personal and professional development in a low-key summer style. Pick up a book on a new teaching method or hot topic and head to the beach. Take a fun class with all your teacher friends you never get to really talk to during the school year. Or dig deep into the interwebs and plan your dream unit for next school year from the comfort of your own couch. The essential thing is to make sure it’s still feels like summer.

10. Seek FUN like it’s your J.O.B.

I said it. The “F” word. The word that so often we feel guilty in having in our classrooms because it doesn’t necessarily feed into data, it doesn’t exactly show up in test scores, and for many of us, it isn’t what our administrators are seeking in our teaching.

And although I know you do try to have fun in the classroom and you do seek fun during the school year, the summertime is the right time load up on that “F” word and have a great time. Whether that means camping out with friends, binging shows by yourself, vacationing, staycationing, or spending quality time with the family – see summer as your time to load up on positivity and good vibes.

Have a great summer everyone and enjoy the moments!

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