SUMMER READING AND REJUVENATION

Teaching would not be possible without time devoted to reflection and rejuvenation. In the same way that crops need to be rotated so that soil can be replenished, teachers need time away from the classroom to rediscover different parts of their identities and return to classrooms and students with renewed joy, creative ideas, and reaffirmed visions of themselves as educators.

Summer is a time for reflection, scholarship, and a chance to give yourself a break from the daily cycle of planning and feedback that make the school year such a whirlwind. It is important to break out of what inevitably and unconsciously becomes a routine. While teaching is far from mechanized, one can relate to the idea of repetition as a force that causes us to lose sight of a vision of possibility.

A Plan for the Summer

In order to challenge the inevitable feelings of burnout and mechanization that have been felt in June, use the summer to immerse yourself in books and open up to unplanned discoveries, ideas, and inspiration for the next school year. Aim to keep the list of books broad and include different titles. You should hope to challenge and nurture yourself in ways that relate directly to your teaching practice and in ways that nurture your identity outside of teaching.

Make a book list and feel free to inspire others by adding some titles in the comments section below.