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The Hidden Summer Hustle: How Teachers Stay Busy During the Break
The myth that teachers "don't work during the summer" is far from the truth. In reality, many teachers use the summer months for activities that directly benefit their teaching and professional growth. Here are several ways our teachers stay engaged over the summer:
Professional Development: Teachers often attend workshops, conferences, or enroll in courses to improve their skills, stay updated on new teaching strategies, and fulfill certification requirements.
Curriculum Planning: Summer is a prime time for our teachers to review the previous year's curriculum, refine lesson plans, and create new material that will enhance our students’ learning in the upcoming school year.
Continuing Education: Several of our teachers are pursuing advanced degrees or additional certifications during the summer, helping them stay current with educational trends and research.
Summer Teaching: Many of our teachers take on summer school roles, tutoring, or teaching at camps and enrichment programs like our own CHARGE UP to support students who need extra help or enrichment.
Classroom Preparation: Teachers often spend time organizing, updating, or decorating their classrooms to create a welcoming and conducive environment for learning. Note: I’m positive that I saw every teacher on our campus, at least once, before our own August 5th return date.
Reading and Research: Teachers frequently spend the summer catching up on reading, whether it's educational literature, research on child development, or new methods for classroom management. Our teachers are no exception… keep reading.
Collaborating with Colleagues: Many of our teachers meet with colleagues to collaborate on curriculum, share ideas, and prepare for interdisciplinary projects or new initiatives for the upcoming year.
Self-Care and Recharging: To be effective in the classroom, teachers need time to rest and recharge. Our teachers are no exception! The summer break allows them to rejuvenate and return with energy and enthusiasm for the new school year.
Our teachers use summer to invest in both themselves and our students (your children) dispelling the misconception that they "take summers off." Their dedication extends beyond the academic year, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet our students' (your childrens’) needs.
*Summer reading can be beneficial for teachers as well. It offers an opportunity to unwind, explore new ideas, and expand knowledge that can be brought back into the classroom. This is an activity that Trinity has facilitated for at least 20 plus years. Some years the reading is limited to one primary title and other years more choices are promoted through a curated list. This summer’s list of books were (I hope) an impressive mix, covering a range of important educational, developmental, and leadership topics. Here's a brief overview of what each book might have offered to our teachers:
**ADHD is Awesome**: Focused on viewing ADHD through a positive lens, emphasizing strengths and unique abilities associated with the condition, offering strategies for supporting students with ADHD.
**The Anxious Generation**: Addressed the rise in anxiety among today's youth, providing insights into causes and ways educators can support anxious students in the classroom.
**The Art of Talking with Children**: Offers techniques for meaningful, respectful conversations with children, fostering better communication and understanding between teachers and students.
**The Hundred Languages of Children**: A deep dive into the Reggio Emilia approach to education, which values creativity, collaboration, and communication in children's learning experiences.
**Lead It Like Lasso**: Inspired by the popular TV show "Ted Lasso," this book offers leadership lessons for educators, focusing on positivity, empathy, and teamwork.
**Limitless Mind**: Draws on neuroscience and psychology to explore how we can break free from fixed mindsets, helping teachers encourage a growth mindset in their students.
**MATH-ish**: Presents a creative approach to teaching math, making it more engaging, intuitive, and applicable to real-life situations.
**Middle School Superpower**: Focused on strategies to empower middle school students, navigating the challenges of this age group and fostering independence and resilience.
**Never Enough**: Examines society’s pressures on achievement and perfection, potentially exploring how these pressures affect students and how educators can create a more balanced, supportive environment.
**Raising Mentally Strong Kids**: Provides guidance on how to help children build resilience, emotional intelligence, and coping skills, essential for both teachers and parents.
**Your Brain on Art**: Explores the science behind creativity and the impact of art on the brain, which could be valuable for integrating more creative, arts-based approaches into education.
These titles reflect the diverse and holistic challenges our educators face today—from mental health to leadership, creativity, and innovative teaching strategies. Remember that your child’s teacher is an engaging educator that is consistently expanding their own repertoire of knowledge with regard to their profession and to the intellectual development of your child, our students.
Adrianne Clifton, M.Ed.
Associate Head of School
Trinity School of Midland
3500 West Wadley Avenue, Midland Texas 79707 - Email: info@trinitymidland.org - Phone: (432) 697-3281 - Fax: (432) 697-7403 -
© 2019 Trinity School. All Rights Reserved.
© 2019 Trinity School. All Rights Reserved.