9 Ways for Teachers to Take Full Advantage of Summer Break

Summer break is always too short, and it might not always be a true vacation for the many teachers who need to continue working to make ends meet. With that said, how can everyone make the most of this time to rest, reflect, and renew energy for the months that lie ahead? Below are nine ideal ways to take full advantage of what remains of this summer, each paired with a few practical suggestions to help ensure that intention becomes action.

1. Prioritize Rest Without Guilt

Sometimes, it can be hard to give ourselves permission to rest. Whether it’s sleeping in, reading for pleasure, or simply enjoying unstructured days, allowing time for decompression is essential. Rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessary action for sustaining passion and performance in the classroom and beyond.
If possible, experiment with spending the first week of summer break without a phone by the side of the bed sharing alerts. It can be beneficial to wake up naturally and then enjoy a slow, tech-free morning with a soothing morning beverage and a book that isn’t related to education. If time belongs to you, also an afternoon nap if you feel like it—no apologies needed. For those who do not have the day to themselves, think about building in small moments of relaxation, whether that comes in the form of doing a crossword puzzle without interruption or taking a few moments outside to reset.

2. Set Strong Boundaries

It is far easier to reclaim personal time when we create a disconnect from work-related communication. Mute group texts, log out of school email, and put away your work laptop. This technological detox helps restore the work-life boundaries that often blur during the school year. To go a step further, set an out-of-office reply on your school email stating you’ll respond to messages when the school year resumes. Silence school-related group chats on your phone, and only check for urgent messages once a week, if at all. People tend to respect the boundaries we set, and vice versa, so following through and only responding to genuine urgency will ensure that the flow of less pressing communication ebbs in the summer months.

3. Create a Flexible Routine

While total freedom is refreshing for anyone lucky enough to have it over the summer, having some degree of structure can help us make the most of each day. Establish a gentle schedule for wake-up times, meals, exercise, or hobbies. This balance prevents the summer from slipping away without intention.

For example, we might designate Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays as “active days” for morning walks or yoga, and keep Tuesdays and Thursdays open for spontaneous activities, such as being a tourist in our own cities or towns. It also helps to have a loose plan for meals and chores, but to allow ourselves the flexibility to shift things as desired. For anyone who lacks this kind of total abandon to enjoy the summer, try taking advantage of shorter bursts of freedom by using those precious minutes to do exactly what feels right in that moment.

4. Reconnect with Family and Friends

Summer is the perfect season to nurture relationships that may have taken a backseat during the school year. Plan outings, lunches, or simple gatherings—just be sure to keep the conversation light and not always about school. For teachers, talking shop is far too instinctive, and we tend to have good stories that people outside the profession appreciate, but we need a break from our work lives.

When I get time off, I try to organize a weekly lunch date with a friend I haven’t seen in months, or plan a family game night so that I can spend time with my children away from screens. We might also use the extra time to call a relative just to chat, relishing the time for catching up without the rush. Again, if the summer is not a complete time of freedom, resolving to do any of these activities in smaller doses can also help strengthen connections that may be neglected during the school year. 

5. Pursue a Passion or Hobby

When things slow down, that is an ideal time to discover what brings you joy outside of teaching. Whether it’s painting, hiking, gardening, or learning a new skill, engaging in hobbies can reignite creativity and a sense of self beyond professional identity. To ensure that intention becomes action, sign up for a class at a local community center, start a summer garden in the backyard, or dedicate a few hours each week to working on a personal project, like writing poetry or learning to play the guitar. Who knows? Sometimes a summer passion project turns into someone’s first book or work of art, and leads to a whole new side career. 

6. Embrace Travel and New Experiences

Passports are optional when it comes to broadening horizons. For a cheaper and more doable “staycation,” explore local museums, parks, or new neighborhoods. Even a day trip can offer fresh perspectives and inspiration for the year ahead. For instance, we might journey to a nearby city or state park to see unfamiliar sights. Closer to home, it could also be fun to try a new restaurant, hike a local trail, or experience a cultural event.

7. Invest in Professional Growth On Your Terms

If anyone feels the itch to stay productive, choose professional development that feels both exciting and relevant. Attend a workshop, read about new teaching strategies, or work toward a certification—but only if it feels energizing, not obligatory. Choose one book on a teaching strategy you’re genuinely curious about and read it at your own pace. Or, enroll in a short online course about classroom technology that you can complete in a few hours, not weeks. With smaller but doable “chunks” of learning, it is possible to remain connected to practice and get ideas for the new school year without feeling completely inundated in work-related items.

8. Reflect and Set Intentions

While it may sound a little silly, people who take time to reflect on the past year usually feel that intentional processing time is productive. What worked with students, and for you? What didn’t? Just informally, we might jot down ideas and goals for the coming year without going too far and jeopardizing a true mental break. A little reflection at wise intervals can make everyone’s fall transition smoother. For those of us who enjoy writing, think about setting aside just one morning to journal about the past school year. Write down three things that went well, three things you’d like to improve, and one goal for next year. Then, close the notebook and return to it in August to begin identifying specific next steps.

9. Practice Self-Care

Summer is an ideal time to establish or deepen a practice that promotes wellness. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, or simply spending time outdoors, nurturing mental health is as important as any lesson plan. Consider trying a 10-minute guided meditation on an app one morning, or spend 20 minutes in the garden, focusing on the sights and sounds around you. Treat yourself to what I think of as a “nothing” day at home with anything that feels comforting, like playing favorite music or doing a jigsaw puzzle with no interruptions. 

Whether we have a lot of time to ourselves or just a little, by intentionally blending rest, connection, growth, and self-care, and by putting these examples into action, it is possible to ensure that summer break is both restorative and meaningful, setting the stage for a positive, energized return to the classroom. 

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 several education books (both out and forthcoming) with W.W. Norton, ASCD and Solution Tree. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be reached at www.miriamplotinsky.com.

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