How to Recharge Over Summer Break

Beth Hedrick 

Ahhh, it’s the end of another very busy school year. It’s the end of meeting your student's needs, effectively managing a full classroom day in and day out, complying to all of the various policies of the school, paperwork, more paperwork, eating lunch in twenty minutes, holding your bladder, and, oh yeah, teaching amazing content to your learners. Just thinking of all of this can be a bit overwhelming. One thing is for sure; it is crucial to take time for yourself completely separate from the school-life.

Love Yourself a Little More
Taking time for you and only you is essential in order to clear your mind. Take a few hours a day to do something you love to do, such as going outside and taking a long walk, reading a good novel, napping, going to your local café and enjoying a latte, or catching up with that series on Netflix. I live in a very small town, so I enjoy walking around town and stopping at the local Country Store (yes, we have a country store) to get an ice cream cone! We also have a lot of small town happenings, such as bands that play on certain days, art shows, and fun events. I enjoy going either alone or with my family, and it is so nice to not worry about rushing home to do lesson plans!

Go Somewhere
Begin planning a vacation, even if it is just for a few days, well before break. I always find myself dreaming of my next vacation around testing time in the spring. If you are on a budget, use this time to visit a friend or relative that lives elsewhere. Just getting out of town and spending time with the ones you love, no matter where you go, will help you let go of everything and renew your mind.

That Second Job…
Many teachers, including me, have a part-time summer job. This allows me to not stress so much during the actual school year when it comes to expenses. Try to find a part-time summer job in a different setting, away from kids (I recommend this).

Create a Serene Space
If you are on a budget, and are unable to take a vacation, think positive. Create an area that you can relax in. I decorated my back deck with string lights, comfy chairs, and a place to put my feet up and relax in the evening. Right off my deck, I have a hammock and a fire pit in my yard. This is the perfect setting for evening gatherings with friends and is a cost-friendly way to unwind.

Have a Movie Night
I have several friends who are also teachers. We absolutely love movie night! We usually do it on a weeknight, just because we can! There is nothing more satisfying than having movie night on a Wednesday, knowing we don’t have to go to school the next day! We pick a friend’s house, pick a movie, and stay up late eating snacks. To add to the fun, sometimes we plug in the laptop, hook up the speakers, and watch the movie outside on my back deck (my serene space). And again, just because we can!

Relish Family
Taking time for family is an ideal way to relax and make memories. If you are a busy teacher, family time during the school year may be exclusive to weekends, but not every weekend. Summer break is the ideal time to spend time together. My boys are grown; one is in college, and one will be a senior in high school. Since the college fella is home, we enjoy doing things as a family. My husband is also a teacher, and it is not uncommon for him to randomly say, on a Tuesday around late morning, “Let’s go to lunch!” It is so nice to be able to go out to eat, actually get to eat for more than twenty minutes, and enjoy each other’s company. We also enjoy stopping at the drive-in (yes, we have that in our tiny town as well), getting milkshakes, and going for a drive. We live along the mountains, so sometimes we drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to sit among the overlook, and just hang out.

Everyone has their own way of recharging over the break. No matter what you do to clear your mind, be sure to take the opportunity for yourself and do things that you love. Think of the activities that you just don’t have the time for during the school year and go for it! When the new school year rolls around, you will find yourself reflecting on the things you did and will smile a big smile. 


Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd. 

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.