• Read, read, read!
  Take advantage of this time and dive into some good books. Find a friend who loves to read and swap books. Treat yourself to some interesting magazines that you don’t have time to read during the school year. If you’re not already in one, you might want to start a summer book club with some friends. Take turns selecting books for the group to read and discuss over some yummy goodies.
• Try something new.
  What better time than now to try something you’ve always wanted to do? Here’s your chance to give faux painting on your laundry room walls a try! Maybe you’ll grab a friend and sign up for a Pilates class that looks like fun. What ever it is that you’ve been putting off trying, do it now! You might just discover something wonderful.
• Tackle an old project that you’ve been putting off.
  Does an avalanche of photographs hit you every time you open that certain cupboard? Are you filled with guilt whenever you look at a half finished craft project? What better time than now to end the procrastination? A teacher friend of mine used one summer to complete her child’s baby book. The baby book was finished by the middle of August—just in time for the “baby’s” 18^th birthday!
• Reflect on the school year you just finished.
  Take some time to reflect upon the year. Think about all of the things that went well in your classroom. Analyze any areas that you feel need improvement. Jot some quick notes about things you’d like to do differently next year. Stash your notes in a file folder labeled “back to school” so they’ll be handy in the fall.
• Start thinking about the next school year.
  Now is the time to start thinking about next year. Decide now how you’d like to spend your time. Which committees and jobs appeal to you and which ones do you want to avoid? By thinking about it ahead of time you can practice saying no and avoid being pressured into accepting extra duties you don’t want.

  Are you one of those teachers who really enjoys spending time during the summer in his or her classroom? Here are some thoughts to consider if you just can’t stay away.

• Limit the time you spend in your classroom.
  Set a reasonable schedule for the amount of time you’re willing to work in your room. You might decide that one morning each week or even each month is enough. Make sure that you don’t become consumed by the demands of getting your classroom ready. You don’t want to neglect your needs and the chance to truly step away from school and unwind.

  Take a moment to think of your non-teaching friends’ vacations. Most people have to work extra-hard to be ahead of the game before they leave for a one or two week vacation. The whole time they’re gone their desks are filling up with work to be done upon their return. When they go back to work it’s necessary to put in long hours to dig out from under the piled up work.

I feel so fortunate that every year I have summers to rest, relax and recharge my batteries.Teachers are lucky to have jobs that truly stop at the end of the school year. Not only do we have time to unwind; we get a fresh start every fall! Make this summer your best one ever!

Best wishes ~
Sue Gruber
Barbara Gruber Online Courses for Teachers
www.bgrubercourses.com

Copyright 2009: Barbara Gruber Courses for Teachers

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