How Teachers Really Spend Summer: Prepping for the New School Year!

Ah, summer break! While most people picture teachers lounging on the beach with a good book, the reality is often very different. For many of us, summer is the perfect time to start prepping for the upcoming school year—without the daily classroom chaos. Let’s dive into how teachers use their well-deserved break to plan, organize, and refresh for another year of inspiring young minds.

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1. Reflect and Recharge
Summer starts with a few deep breaths! Many teachers take the first few weeks to reflect on what worked well last year and what could be improved. A little self-care goes a long way—think quiet mornings, walks in nature, or that vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Even something as simple as drinking coffee and scrolling on your favorite social media site! Reflection helps reset the mindset before jumping into the prep work!

2. Revisit Curriculum and Standards
Once rested, teachers start diving back into curriculum planning. Yes it sounds absolutely crazy because most think "Wow must be nice to have summers off!", when in actuality we are steadily thinking about the next year. We pull out our standards, look at pacing guides, and tweak lesson plans to better fit our students’ needs. Whether it’s revamping units or finding engaging new resources, it’s all about making sure we’re ready to hit the ground running come August.

This year I will be teaching a new subject as well as a new grade, so I have started collecting certain activities on my Pinterest board to be ahead of the game!

Check out what I have pinned here!

3. Organize and Stock Up
Summer is prime time for organizing! We go through those endless piles of papers, tidy up our digital files, and start stocking up on classroom supplies. From fresh bulletin board borders to shiny new markers, these little things bring big excitement for the year ahead. I find it super helpful to create an Amazon wish list for all the items that need restocking so I can keep track of what I need. This list can be posted on social media or sent to family/friends as well! It really is so awesome how many people are willing to help teachers!💗

4. Decorate and Design
For many teachers, summer is when we refresh our classroom decor—or even try a whole new theme! Whether it’s a calming neutral vibe or a bright and bold look, we’re thinking about how to create a welcoming, engaging space for our students to learn and grow. Some schools even vote and select a school theme which allows teachers to broaden how they would normally decorate their areas! I have created multiple pins that show how to create a space according to certain themes! Remember to be be creative!

Click here for my classroom decor board!

 5. Explore New Ideas
Summer is also about growth—our own! Teachers love to take courses, join webinars, or dive into Pinterest for fresh teaching strategies and creative ideas. It’s a time to explore how we can keep things innovative and exciting for our students.

Conclusion: Why Summer Prep Matters
It might look like summer break is just for relaxation, but for teachers, it’s also a time of quiet creativity and preparation. All the work we do over the summer helps us feel confident and ready when that first day of school bell rings. So, here’s to a summer that’s equal parts restful and productive—because we know that our students deserve our very best!

 How do you like to prep over summer? Share your favorite tips, resources, or even your must-have classroom decor ideas in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other!