Five Ways to Have a Great Summer Break

Summer is here! Students and teachers everywhere have been looking forward to this time for months. Even schools that are experimenting with year-round schedules take an extended break for the summer months. Everyone hears that old Alice Cooper refrain: “School’s out for summer!”

But even though the halls will be emptied of students and teachers, administrators still faithfully clock in all throughout the summer to prepare for the next school year.

I have worked as a principal at two different schools and under two different superintendents. Every year my focus has changed, and I find myself tackling different tasks and responsibilities every summer.

What should administrators do during the summer months to better lead their schools, their staff, and themselves? Here are five ideas that could make your summer the most impactful yet.

Relax and Recharge

Summer is the perfect time to take a step back and rejuvenate. Administrators work tirelessly throughout the school year, and to remain effective, leaders must to take time off to avoid burnout.

Take a Vacation 

Whether it's a trip to the beach or a quiet retreat in the mountains, time away from work can help you return with renewed energy and perspective.

Read for Pleasure 

Pick up a book that isn't related to education. Read fiction--immersing yourself in a good story can be a great way to relax and unwind. I always find a good award winner to pick up over the summer. This year I have my eye on The Wager by David Grann. It's not technically fiction, but it looks like a great narrative!

Spend Time with Family and Friends

Host a get-together at your place, or invite others to enjoy a night out. With all of the plates that school leaders must keep spinning throughout the school year, it's too easy to get distracted from what truly matters in life. Prioritize relationships, and use the summer to invest time with your loved ones.

Volunteer 

Giving back to the community can be fulfilling and offer a change of pace. This year, I am helping my church with Vacation Bible School, serving as a chaperone at kids' camp, and participating in projects for Scott County Love Out Loud.

Reflect and Plan

Use the quieter summer months to reflect on the past year and plan for the upcoming one.

Think about the Big Picture

Revisit your school's vision and values. What are your long-term goals, and how can you steer your school towards them? We are considering adding a culture goal at Sebastopol to help keep track of teacher and student morale throughout the school year.

Collaborate with Your Team 

Meet with your admin team to discuss successes and areas for improvement. I'm planning to meet with my team early in June to strategize for next year.

Participate in Professional Development

Professional growth shouldn't stop just because school is out. In fact, summer may provide the best time to grow professionally.

Earn CEUs, SEMIs, or OSLs

These credits are essential--don't make the mistake of being too busy to take care of licensure!

Read a Leadership Book

Expand your knowledge and bring new ideas to your school. I suggest starting with John Maxwell and then venturing into Simon Sinek, Jon Acuff, and Les MacKeown.

Attend Conferences

Conferences are excellent for networking and learning. Last summer, I enjoyed attending the MASSP conference, and this year, I'm excited about the MASS conference in Biloxi. Consider finding a national conference to broaden your horizons further.

Tackle School Projects

Summer is an ideal time to address projects that are difficult to manage during the school year.

Campus Improvements 

Painting classrooms or building new displays can enhance the learning environment of the school. When I was a principal at Scott Central, we made it a tradition to spruce up the campus during the summer. All three principals pitched in to paint classrooms each year.

Support Others

Education is a collaborative effort, and helping others can strengthen the entire community.

Assist Other Schools

Another principal, Coach Miles Porter from Betty Maye Jack in Morton, used to help us with painting at Scott Central. His willingness to collaborate was a great reminder that we are all in this together.

Share Resources

If you find a great article or podcast, share it with your teachers or colleagues. It's a simple way to add value and support their professional growth. If you think it would be better not to disturb them on their summer break, you can easily schedule an email with a link to the content you'd like to share.

What about you? What are some of your summer plans to help you grow as a leader and improve your school? Let me know in the comments below!