Congratulations, you survived another school year! 🎉 You’ve written the reports, conquered the IEPs, balanced caseloads, and answered the “How many more days until summer?” question at least a dozen times. Now what? It’s time to trade your lanyard for sunglasses and embrace the glorious chaos of summer.
Here are the Top 10 Things Teachers and Therapists Should Do This Summer to recharge, laugh, and avoid making an accidental therapy session out of your vacation.
1. Reintroduce Yourself to Non-Work Friends
Remember those people who don’t start every conversation with, “Can you explain the difference between a 504 and an IEP?”? Call them. Meet for brunch. Laugh until you cry—and maybe remind them what you do for a living (they forgot).
2. Actually Read a Book—That’s Not for Work
Pick something with zero educational value. No case studies, no behavior strategies, and definitely no “how to prevent burnout” guides. We’re talking juicy thrillers, romance novels, or that celebrity memoir you’re slightly embarrassed to be excited about. Bonus points if you read it at the pool with a beverage.
3. Practice Saying “No” Without Explaining Yourself
This summer, your schedule is yours. When asked to join a curriculum planning committee or “just review a few therapy activities,” practice this phrase:
“No.”
That’s it. Full stop. No guilt.
4. Take a Nap—Like a Glorious, Middle-of-the-Day Nap
Remember when they said napping was “for babies”? Not true! A solid nap is a summertime superpower. Aim for the sweet spot: long enough to drool but short enough to still sleep at night.
5. Declutter Your Work Bag…
Take a deep breath and empty that overstuffed work bag. Toss the broken pens, snack wrappers, and random sticky notes that say “Check on Johnny’s progress” (Johnny is fine, it’s summer). Consider giving the bag a ceremonial summer break.
6. Binge-Watch a Show—Guilt-Free
No PD credits, no professional growth. Just you, a remote, and a truly terrible reality show or that drama everyone else finished six months ago. Bonus points for yelling at the screen like the characters can hear you.
7. Plan One Adventure (Big or Small)
Whether it’s a road trip, a weekend getaway, or finally visiting that local tourist trap you always drive by, schedule at least one thing that’s just fun. No data tracking. No objectives. Just you making core memories—and maybe questionable snack choices.
8. Do Something Ridiculously Creative
Paint. Garden. Build a Lego city. Try pottery, even if your bowl turns out square. Who cares? Let your brain play for once without worrying about meeting an IEP goal.
9. Avoid the Back-to-School Aisle… Until August
Target knows what it’s doing, putting the school supplies out in July. Don’t fall for it. Walk past. Keep walking. You’ve got weeks before you need to even think about glue sticks or laminating.
10. Celebrate Surviving Another Year in Education
However you do it—dinner out, a weekend spa trip, or sitting on your couch in silence with your favorite snack—take a moment to honor that you did it. You showed up for your students, your team, and yourself. That’s worth celebrating.
🌴 Final Thought: Summer is Self-Care Season
Teachers, therapists, and all you wonderful professionals and staff that work with these children all year- you carry so much emotional and mental weight during the school year. Summer isn’t just time off—it’s necessary recovery. Fill your cup (literally and figuratively), rest those therapy hands and vocal cords, and come back when you’re ready—not when the back-to-school section tells you to.
Until then, cheers to you—and may your summer be long, your naps uninterrupted, and your email unopened.
P.S. If your version of fun is browsing new job opportunities while sipping iced coffee, we’re hiring! 😉 Check out careers at Specialized Assessment & Consulting.
