Teach Middle East Magazine June 2014 Issue 2 Vol. 1 | Page 23

Sharing Good Practice

10 THINGS EVERY TEACHER
SHOULD DO OVER SUMMER BREAK
By Betina Fuentes

S

ummer break is here and
you’re thinking, “It’s time to
relax.” But if you’re anything
like most of the teachers I
know, once you’ve slept in for a few
days and binge-watched that one show
(or three) on Netflix, you tend to look
around and say, “Now what?” When
that time comes, here’s a list of ten
things that every teacher should do
during summer break to refresh and
rejuvenate mentally and physically.

1. Sleep. Refilling your “sleep account”

is extremely important. When we are
sleep deprived, even fun activities can
wear us down. Aim for seven to eight
hours of sleep each night. If your
schedule doesn’t permit that, try for a
short nap in the afternoon.

2. Read. During the school year, we

read a great deal but not necessarily
what we would choose. Now is the
time to indulge in whatever genre
you love – even guilty pleasures are
allowed. Make a list and download
or order those books, so they are
instantly available whenever you
have some downtime.

3. Pamper yourself (men included!).
If you only have time during the year
for a quick manicure, treat yourself to
a more luxurious spa treatment. Get a
massage, a facial, and a new hairstyle.
Use the summer break to experiment
with new looks and products to help
you feel amazing and get in a routine
for the new school year.

4. Join a professional organisation.
Scan the Internet to find a professional
teaching organization tailored toward
grade level, subjects taught, and even
areas of the world. There is usually a
nominal fee for membership and the
benefits are well worth the money,
including member discounts, advance
notice of events and discounted or free
professional development opportunities.

5. Professional Development. I

know - CPD is the last thing you want to
do on vacation. Yet it’s the perfect way
to get back into the groove of teaching
after a long, lazy summer. Research
options available online or locally
wherever you happen to be during
summer break. Most universities with
a College of Education offer seminars
and conferences during the summer
with a variety of topics from classroom
management to bulletin board design.

6. Socialise.

Don’t forget about
your peers during the summer. Stay
in touch in person if possible, and
via social media if you are apart.
Brainstorming ideas as they come
up or sharing information from your
professional development activities
works best if it’s fresh in your mind.

7. Explore. Check your mental list for
places you’ve always wanted to go
but never had the time. These don’t
have to break the bank – they can be
restaurants, shops, local attractions
or natural wonders. After you’ve
made the effort to go someplace
you’ve never been, that part of the
world never seems the same.

8. Plan. It’s never too early to plan
for the new school year, but it can
quickly get too late. Check great
sites like Teach UAE Magazine,
Pinterest and Edutopia for new and
engaging ideas for your classroom.
Think of themes, units and alternate
assessments for your lesson plans.

9. Learn something new. Take

a cooking class, an art seminar,
language lessons or a tutorial on
flower arrangements. Perfect one
new skill this summer and bring it
back to your class in the fall.

10. Reflect. Use the quiet times in your

break to review and reflect on your
past school year. List 10 strengths
and 5 challenges you had this past
year, and brainstorm how to avoid or
fix these challenges for the new school
year. Starting a journal or blog is also
an effective way to keep track of your
lessons and reflections for the future.

The summer holidays may seem long
but the days go really quickly. Even in
our ‘down time’ creating a good balance
is important. Here’s to hoping you enjoy
your summer break to the fullest!
Class Time

June 2014

21