Avoiding teacher burnout can be a challenge. Some school years hit harder than others, and no, it’s not just you. Even the teacher down the hall who seems like she has it all together? She feels it too. Burnout doesn’t discriminate, and a couple of weeks off won’t magically undo a tough year.
Whether you just wrapped up your first year or your fifteenth, it’s totally normal to feel a little (or a lot!) like a used up Expo marker right now.
So let’s ditch the guilt, silence the Sunday Scaries, and reclaim your time. Here are five ways to rest, recharge, and remind yourself of the version of you that exists beyond the classroom this summer.
Not Quite on Break Yet? This Will Help You Get There
Give yourself a breather and keep students engaged with science activities that reviews key concepts and channels that end-of-year energy — no extra prep required.
Grab the End of the Year Summer Science Stations1. Say No to Summer Emails and Yes to Avoiding Teacher Burnout
Just because your principal asks if you want to keep your school laptop for the summer, doesn’t mean you have to. Don’t feel pressured to keep grinding to prove you’re a “dedicated teacher.” A dedicated teacher takes time for themself too.
Here’s how to unplug without disconnecting completely:
- Return your school laptop. If it feels freeing, go for it. No shame in giving yourself space.
- Temporarily delete school apps from your phone. Out of sight, out of mind!
- Set a work window. If you want to prep, pick one day or a couple hours a week to work on school things. Boundaries are your friend.
- Mute your school email. Try turning off your notifications or muting them for certain time periods to give yourself a break.
Remember, rest isn’t a reward. It’s part of the job.
2. Rediscover what Made you Fall in Love with Science
You didn’t become a science teacher because you had to. You did it because you love curiosity and discovery, right?
This summer, try to fall in love with science again.
Let yourself get nerdy again. Visit a planetarium, an aquarium, a science museum. Take your own kids, your niece or nephew, or your teacher bestie! Let yourself wander around and geek out like your middle school self would’ve.
No standards. No tests. Just the joy of learning something new for yourself.
3. Reclaim the You behind the Teacher Badge
You are more than the classroom. Being a teacher is just one part of your identity. Summer is your reminder to rediscover the “you” that sometimes gets buried under lesson plans and late-night grading.
Think of this as your chance to hit refresh.
- Revisit old hobbies you haven’t tried since before back-to-school night.
- Try a new activity just for fun!
- Reconnect with your people. Schedule brunch, book club, or even just a long overdue phone call.
- Schedule quiet time with no agenda. A peaceful afternoon with no students, no bells, no noise? Perfect.
4. Practice Actual Self Care (Not the kind from Staff PD)
You’ve heard the word self-care tossed around so much it might make you roll your eyes a little, especially when it comes from a slideshow at a staff meeting. And summer is the perfect time to practice giving your nervous system a break.
You’ve poured so much into your students all year long, now it’s your turn to fill your own cup too!
Self-care can look a lot of different ways, so think about what feels good and doable for you right now! Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
- Sleep in. Seriously. Let yourself rest without guilt.
- Move your body! Whether it’s a walk, a dance class, or chasing your dog around the yard, find something that feels fun.
- Eat lunch sitting down. What a concept, right?
- Do something creative. Paint, bake, garden, or journal!
- Say no. Protect your time and energy. You don’t have to do everything this summer.
More than anything, give yourself permission to be a human before you’re a teacher. You earned this break. So take it!
5. Reflect From this Year While It’s Still Fresh
There’s something magical about a quiet morning of summer break. You wake up without an alarm, pour a cup of coffee that doesn’t go cold on your desk, and your mind finally has a little room to breathe.
On one of these mornings, you may find that’s when the memories start to trickle in. The student who finally nailed a tough concept, the lab that had your whole class buzzing, the unexpected laugh that got you through a hard day.
You don’t need to plan your entire next school year right now, but a little reflection while it’s all still fresh can be a gift to your future self.
Try thinking through these prompts with your coffee:
- 3 things that went well. What were your favorite wins this year? What would you love to do again?
- 2 things you’d change. Think of these as gentle notes for improvement, not failures.
- 1 surprise success. What worked better than expected?
This reflection activity is about celebrating your growth and holding onto the moments that mattered.
You’ve made it through another year of shaping minds and sparking curiosity. That’s no small thing. Let this summer be the season where you pause, reflect, and feel proud of the work you did this year.
Teaching is seasonal.
This season? It’s for you.
Being a teacher means living in seasons – some full of momentum, others full of rest and renewal. This summer? Let it be the latter and focus on avoiding teacher burnout.
You don’t have to plan your comeback yet. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You just have to show up for yourself the way you show up for your students. With care, compassion, and grace.
Take the time. Reclaim your energy. And know that when next year rolls around, you’ll be ready. Rested and rooted in who you are, not just what you do.
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