20 Reasons Teachers Love Summer

There might be occasional exceptions to the rule, but otherwise, it is a truth universally acknowledged that teachers love summer. Sure, not everyone can take a full vacation. So many people in education moonlight or engage in “side hustle” to keep the cash flowing in, while others opt to teach summer school at the slower pace that warmer months usually provide. Regardless of whether each day stretches out in freedom or just pieces of it, there are plenty of reasons to appreciate a change of pace.

1. Circadian rhythm is finally where it should be. So often, teachers commute to work in the dark, work in windowless rooms, and go home long after the sun has peaked for the day. In the summer, our bodies happily adjust to a far more sustainable state of being.
2. It is easier to eat nutritiously. School buildings are not known for being places with great food options. There’s the cafeteria (greasy pizza, anyone?) and some people are lucky enough to have vending machine access. Other than that, unhealthy treats tend to appear with regularity on communal tables. That’s not exactly a recipe for good health. In the summer, it is actually possible to eat the rainbow of fresh produce, take the time to cook meals, and hit all important micro and macronutrients.
3. Generally, habits are healthier. In the summer, taking a walk or fitting a workout into the day doesn’t include the kind of struggle that is more typical during the school year. We can also spend more time with friends, which is known to be a huge boon to mental wellbeing.
4. All that Vitamin D works wonders. Bearing in mind that sunscreen is important, it really helps to get outside and take in the wonderful sights and smells of summertime. From freshly cut grass to birdsong, even 15 minutes in nature can be a powerful addition to the daily routine.
5. Bathroom privileges finally return. This one is self-explanatory, but suffice it to say, we can finally go to the bathroom whenever we want, however much we want.
6. Teachers have two sweet months off from hearing “edujargon.” All those technical terms and acronyms can just take a hike for a little while. Kids might chant, “no more pencils, no more books,” but teachers have plenty of their own words to avoid, like “assessment” or “data.”
7. There are no classes to cover. Finally, a day can go as planned and doesn’t depend on whether or not somebody comes to work or a substitute is assigned. Predictability can be a beautiful thing.
8. Who can argue with more quality time for plants, pets and kids? During the year, there isn’t enough time to keep plants alive, to pet the dog or cat, and to play with children. Finally, there is enough space in the day to accomplish all three!
9. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. Life looks totally different when it is experienced with clarity and restfulness, rather than through the fog of exhaustion. There is something to be said for lingering in bed, and for not being at the mercy of an alarm clock. Generally speaking, well-rested people also get sick less often and exhibit greater health overall.
10. The gift of time is precious. There aren’t enough hours in the day during the school year, thanks to a job that requires so much preparation and grading. In the summertime, all those hours can really open up. It is truly life-changing.
11. It’s okay to stay in bed on sick days. Got a cold? No need to struggle into work clothes and teach because a sub isn’t available. Stay in bed, binge-stream a great series, and self-coddle. It’s finally okay to just take a genuine, unconditional sick day!
12. There is no mountain of papers to grade. We really don’t need to expand on that, do we? Caveat: this one is not applicable to anyone teaching summer school.
13. Having “normal people” hours is freeing. Finally, it’s possible to live like the rest of the world, where people don’t get to work before dawn and get hungry for lunch by nine o’clock in the morning. Teachers live a different life 10 months out of the year, and it’s so much easier to socialize and be with people on a more (for lack of a better term) forgiving schedule.
14. A long trip might be doable. For anyone who has the means, two months provides a lot of opportunity to travel. That might be a series of short getaways to places nearby, or a longer extended trip. Either way, being somewhere different is a welcome adjustment.
15. Finally, a chance to read or watch the books and shows that have long been ignored. While everyone else is talking about the newest incredible show, teachers have been too busy to join in the fun. Now, it’s finally possible to catch up on everything. Even better, no need to wait for a new season to come out. Everything has been released for months!
16. Thinking is a luxury. Just sitting still and reveling in our thoughts is an unexpected pleasure, one that is too rare during the hectic pace of the school year. Letting the mind wander without having to stop and get work done is so enjoyable.
17. Rediscover the unbridled joy of having nowhere to be. No plans? Great. Being spontaneous and doing whatever we feel like is another luxurious benefit of summer vacation.
18. There is freedom in forgetting what day it is. During the school year, almost anyone can share the day (and the specific date) without a problem because teaching lives are so hyper-scheduled. In the summer, who knows what day it is? And who cares?
19. Lower stress levels pay off incredible dividends. Stress increases cortisol, which can act as inflammation in the body or have other ill effects like anxiety and pain. It is a lot easier to stay healthy when the constant pressure of the school year is at bay.
20. Boredom is more productive than advertised. Studies have proven time and time again that being bored is good for the body, mind and spirit. Perhaps that is why so much inspiration strikes when nobody is trying to come up with anything in particular. Give yourself permission to be bored, and enjoy the process.

No matter how we might choose to delight in the summer months, it’s important to try and enjoy the time ahead. It has been another long year, and there isn’t an educator out there who doesn’t deserve as much of a break as possible. Who knows? Maybe with a difference in routine, something will happen this summer that inspires a change for the better that extends into the school year. It’s worth a shot. Happy summer, everyone!

Written by Miriam Plotinsky, Education World Contributing Writer

Miriam Plotinsky is an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where she has taught and led for more than 20 years. She is the author of Teach More, Hover Less and Lead Like a Teacher. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be reached at www.miriamplotinsky.com or via Twitter: @MirPloMCPS

Copyright© 2023 Education World