Teachers carry the responsibility of molding a better future. So it’s no wonder they occasionally fall prey to stress-induced burnout. But there’s always summer vacation, right? At least, that’s what all the non-teacher folks bring up when you discuss the particularly heavy weight you carry.

Look, it’s not like the education community is a monolith. However, we’re pretty sure most any educator would scoff at the idea that the break erases the rigors of the job. In June, you’re wrapping up your student data work. And come August, you’re getting ready for the Fall semester.

But what about July? We’re pretty confident this itinerary and accompanying (dog) GIFs paint an accurate portrait of the truth.

In July, teachers rise hours before the first crack of light.

No teacher in history has ever actually slept. Nope. The whole sleep thing’s a myth. And even if they did get a little REM cycle going, they wouldn’t dare sleep in.

Before even thinking about coffee, teachers begin grading homework assignments.

It’s July, so maybe you don’t have papers or homework to grade. That doesn’t matter. You love grading so much that you’ll re-grade all the assignments starting from three years ago.

After finishing that stack of papers, teachers update themselves on new state requirements.

Perhaps your district made it illegal for teachers to wear pink. Or eat a lunch that contains over 30% protein. You need to learn all of these changes pronto.

Now it’s time to update the curriculum so that students receive a robust, district-approved education (without the thought of teacher autonomy or learning differentiation).

Hahahahahaha. That would be so much fun to do in July. We bet you just can’t wait. 

Then teachers take out their own bank cards to order classroom supplies.

OK, we were kidding about all the other ones. This one might actually be true.

It’s midday, and now it’s time for teachers to take incredible delight in answering e-mails from parents.

So what if you’ve set an autoreply and no other profession would be expected to check e-mail during a vacation? Surely you’ll make an exception to discuss Devon’s grades on the homework he didn’t turn in.

Always cognizant of the results they produce, teachers rework lessons that fell flat last semester.

Self-assessment is a big part of the job. So is self-criticism. It sounds like only a rhetorical nuance, but there’s a big difference between measuring results and blaming yourself. And yeah, you’re going to do that in July.

With an eye toward perpetual improvement, teachers perfect classroom activities that hit their target.

Hey, sometimes things work out. Even then, there’ll be room for aggressive improvement. This summer, there is no doubt that teachers will hone the classroom activities already proven to work.

As the evening begins, teachers brush up on the latest in pedagogy.

No matter when you graduated or what master’s level coursework you completed, there’s always new pedagogical techniques. Your supposed vacation is a great time to fine-tune your skills.

And last, teachers fall asleep, ready to do it all over again.

It’s not sleep, really. It’s just more teacher prep.

Use PD to Take Care of Yourself.

OK, perhaps we were being a wee bit sarcastic in this article. But though we have our tongue planted firmly in our cheek, there’s no denying the seriousness of self-care. Really, if you want to be at your best, self-care is one of the most strategic routes you can take. Check out our self-care PD designed to help you feel great so that you can continue being an exceptional teacher:

• Self-Care Strategies for Teachers: Teaching requires you to manage others’ feelings and behaviors every day, but are you taking time to manage your own? Discover strategies to invest in yourself so you can create a sustainable career in education.
• Achieving a Work–Life Balance in Teaching: As with most jobs, teaching responsibilities can infiltrate your entire life if you let them. Having a work–life balance means feeling engaged, effective, and satisfied in every aspect of life. Learn how you can be present and effective at school and beyond.
• Stress Reduction for Better Teaching: Between lesson planning, communicating with parents, and working with colleagues, even the most practiced teacher can become overwhelmed. Explore how stress can impact your teaching and your health and how to manage your stress effectively.
• Becoming a Calm, Happy Teacher: Leave burnout, stress, and frustration behind for good. Get proven psychological tools to help you create a calmer, more balanced teaching career so you can be more present and energetic in every area of your life.
• The Growth Mindset: Fostering Resilience and a Love of Learning: Mindset is a buzzword in today’s educational landscape, but it often addresses only students’ mindsets, not educators’. Explore your internalized beliefs about learning and your students’ abilities, and learn how to structure your classroom around a culture of perseverance and opportunity.

Advancement Courses offers more than 280 online, self-paced PD courses covering both foundational topics and emerging trends in K–12 education. Courses are available for both graduate and continuing education credit for your salary advancement or recertification needs.