Schooooooool’s out for summer! Schooooooool’s out for ever…just kidding.
This is the song that plays in my head on the last day of school every year. Teachermama this summer is going to fly by! Before you know it, it will be time to head back to the classroom. While summer is often seen as a well-deserved break for teachers, many of us know the truth: our brains rarely truly clock out. Between beach days and backyard barbecues, there’s a quiet hum of planning, prepping, and dreaming about the year ahead. Whether you’re a veteran educator or heading into your first classroom, summer is a golden opportunity to set yourself up for success come fall—without burning out.
Here’s how teachers can prep for the next school year during the summer while still soaking in some much-needed rest and relaxation:
1. Reflect Before You Plan
Before diving into supply lists and bulletin board ideas, take a moment to reflect:
- What worked well last year?
- What challenges popped up?
- What would you like to do differently?
Grab a journal or your planner and jot down a few takeaways. This simple step can help you create intentional goals for the new year rather than repeating the same patterns.
2. Organize Your Classroom (Mentally or Physically)
You may not have access to your room over the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prep:
- Sketch out a new classroom layout.
- Plan your bulletin boards or decor themes.
- Make a list of must-have supplies.
- Clean out and organize digital files—especially your Google Drive!
Even an hour of organizing now can save you hours of stress in August.
3. Update (or Start) Your Curriculum Map
Mapping out your year—even loosely—can give you a solid foundation. Consider:
- Pacing out your units or themes.
- Aligning standards with key assessments or projects.
- Building in buffer weeks for review, testing, or catch-up.
You don’t need to plan every lesson—just having a big-picture view can ease decision fatigue later on. This can be done solo or with your team. Have a margarita and mapping night with your team!
4. Prep Reusable Resources or Personalized Items (if you have your roster)
Now is a great time to create or refresh:
- Morning work packets
- Centers or station activities
- Sub plans
- Anchor charts
- Labels and signs
- Writing journals
- Name tags
- Birthday certificates
Laminate now, thank yourself later.
5. Stock Up on Supplies (Slowly and Strategically)
Instead of panic-buying everything the week before school starts, pick up supplies gradually over the summer. Check clearance racks, dollar sections, and online deals. Keep a running list of what you actually need—resist the urge to overbuy!
6. Plan Classroom Procedures
Strong routines create calm classrooms. Summer is the perfect time to:
- Rework your classroom management plan.
- Decide how you’ll handle transitions, bathroom breaks, pencil sharpening, and more.
- Write out clear expectations you can later turn into posters or mini-lessons.
7. Learn Something New
If you have the energy, summer is a great time to:
- Read a professional development book
- Take a short online course
- Listen to educator podcasts
- Watch teaching strategy videos
Pick just one area to grow in—don’t overdo it!
8. Rest (It’s Not Optional)
Seriously. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make time to:
- Sleep in
- Travel or take day trips
- Read for fun
- Do absolutely nothing
Remember: prepping for the school year isn’t just about the lesson plans—it’s about recharging your mental, emotional, and physical batteries.
Final Thoughts
Teachers are planners by nature, and it’s easy to feel like we should be productive every minute of the summer. But the truth is, a balanced approach is best. Do a little now, rest a lot, and walk into the new year with confidence and clarity.
You’ve got this—next year’s class is lucky to have you.