Brave New Summer Break: Teacher Collabisode [S4 E106]

Listen to the full episode below about collaborating with the school community:

Summer is finally here, and we are here for it! Teacher summer break is truly something that nobody outside of the profession really understands. It’s a mix of emotions and if you’re anything like us, you may be battling with choosing how to spend this time.

Should you focus on rest? Should you use the summer months to plan and prepare for the upcoming year so you feel less overwhelmed when it’s time to go back to work? Is there a middle ground?

Well friends, we sent out the bat signal and called on other teachers to share their perspective and experiences with how they approach summer break. You’ll get to hear straight from fellow teachers in today’s episode as they answer questions like:

  • What does summer break mean for you?

  • What summer break rituals do you honor?

  • What’s your approach to summer PD/growth/planning for next year?

  • What are some summer break mistakes you’ve made and how did you fix them?

Sit back, relax, and enjoy what these teachers have to say. Just remember that everything you go through in teaching and in your personal life are all seasons. So whatever season of life you're in right now, take what helps and ditch what doesn’t, but don't feel the pressure to make your summer somebody else's philosophy. Make it yours. Make up your own rules, make up your own boundaries, and stick to them!

More about the teachers behind the voices in this episode:

Yaddy Walantas: teaches 9th grade English and Language Seminar (Columbia, SC)

Olivia Gold: teaches 7th Grade ELA  (Orlando, FL)

Krista Barbour: teaches 7th Grade ELA (Seattle, WA)

Samantha Heil: teaches 9th Grade ELA (Bel Air, MD)

Christina Gendler: teaches 11th Grade ELA and AP English Language and Composition (Brooklyn, NY)

Topics Covered:

  • Mistakes that we’ve made going into summer break, and the lessons we’ve learned from them

  • Amanda’s ritual that has helped her simplify what she takes on over the summer

  • How other teachers find rest and rejuvenation during summer break, and their approach to summer PD and planning

Resources:

Related Episodes:

More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Amanda Cardenas