The halls are quiet, your room is empty, and you just don’t know if you have the energy to keep doing this job.
You’re Not Alone
This time of year is completely overwhelming. You are mentally and physically drained. You are looking forward to the summer, but are weighed down by the end of the year craziness. I am pretty sure every other teacher in the world has thoughts about quitting at the end of each year. You are sick of the kids. You are sick of the parents. Your room now has to be cleaned out so the janitors can wax the stupid floors over the summer. Your colleagues are grumpy and your family is just waiting for you to be able to hang out and not be working on the couch every night.
Now is Not the Time
Now is not the time to make a decision about the future of your career as a teacher. You are tired and need some rest. This doesn’t mean that you are not ready for a change, because there is a chance that you are. It just means a little space away from school may be all you need to reframe your thinking and do some reflection without distraction or putting out the proverbial “fires” each day.
It is the time to close the door behind you and congratulate yourself on making it through until the end, no matter how hard things may have gotten. Be proud of your accomplishments- relish the wins (big and small). It’s okay to feel done, but don’t walk away in burnout. Walk into summer with the goal of healing, not quitting.
The Power of a Summer Reset
“School’s out for the summer!” That’s a song that I think every teacher plays before turning off the light in their classroom and walking out of the school for their much-deserved break.
I have known very few teachers, however, that are able to just turn off the switch, put the year behind them and find instant relaxation. Don’t be surprised if that is not the case for you. It may take a few weeks to get used to not having a routine and turning off your teacher’s brain. It takes real effort to truly shut the proverbial door to last year and avoid opening the one to next year. You can do it!
Set some goals for yourself. I used to take the month of July off. Since my school didn’t get out until mid June, I would find myself wrestling with my brain for a few weeks to shut the heck up! By July, however, I would actually have found that the voice in my head was a bit more quiet. Here are a few things to consider as you head into summer break.
End-of-Year Reset: Things to Do This Summer
- Unplug and recharge to the best of your ability—give yourself permission to rest.
- Read for pleasure—that’s a novel idea!
- Dive into summertime activities that bring you joy: hiking, swimming, gardening, or simply doing nothing.
- Travel if you can, and make a promise to be fully present during any vacation time you take.
- Accept that thoughts of the upcoming school year may creep in—that’s normal.
- Set healthy limits: consider designating just half a day a week to do light planning or organize your materials.
- Remind yourself: taking time to rest and regroup isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. When you create space to breathe, you’ll return with more clarity, energy, and focus to plan effectively when the time comes.
Reflect on the past year:
- Moments of connection with students
- Small wins that made a difference
- The reasons you chose teaching in the first place
Everyone is different, so do what works for you. Just remember that creating a little space in between school years is critical to your mental and physical health. Pat yourself on the back for being there for your students. You are amazing and appreciated!
Happy summer to educators everywhere!
Last modified: June 6, 2025
