A Teacher's Summer

My Summer Lunch Series!

Summers off, nothing to do.  Most good teacher laugh at comments like that.  Summer is a fantastic time to educate, re-energize and pre-plan.  I always look forward to several conferences that I attend and many times present, for opportunities to network with other education professionals as well as learn new technology and teaching techniques. Some of these conferences waive registration fees if you present.  This is one way to contradict district cuts for professional development. especially if it is a local conference that does not require hotel expenses.  I realize many learn a lot through PLN on social media, or youtube or other online options but I still need those live conferences to re-energize my teaching passion.  Speaking of re-energizing, by the end of May some of the negatives in education can get you down, paperwork, jumping through hoops that don't really help students, unmotivated students, but summer gives me time to forget that.  I like to spend the summer cleaning my rose-colored glasses and focus on the good in education like students that I will never forget, improving lessons or classes, helping struggling students and watching students learn and mature.  I spend a lot of time in the summer cleaning and reorganizing my classroom.  There is always a stack on good notes, thank you notes, and memories that need to be added to the memory book.  I also have new ideas for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and set up some meetings with my officers.  I will research new teaching techniques and find ways to implement them in my classes as well as doing some reflection on my classes and fix any lessons that need improvement.
I look forward to spending some time with those that I wish I made more time for during the school year.  I call it my Summer Lunch Series.  I have lunch with wonderful people, one at a time, to reconnect and laugh.  I enjoy lunch with my children (well, they are actually adults but...) my sisters and brothers, colleagues, friends, nieces, nephews, and former students.  

Grand kids are a joy!

My advise to teachers, refill your bucket.  If that means catching up on housework, reading your book list, or spending time with family and friends, but take some time to plan and re-energize for next school year.  It will make you a better teacher.