You did it! You made it to summer break. Congratulations! 

Once you’ve had ample time to catch up on your sleep and the Netflix shows you missed while grading final papers and exams, what do you have planned for your two months of freedom?

If you are looking for some direction, have no fear! We’ve put together a list of teacher-specific activities just for you. All of these activities are entertaining and a great way to prevent your own summerslide from setting in!

Connect with Your Teaching Community

Your fellow educators are your best resource for learning new teaching strategies. Speak with your colleagues about your ideas for the upcoming school year, follow your favorite educational experts on social media, and catch-up with podcasts like #EdChat Radio and Talks with Teachers.

Keep Up with the Tech World

When it comes to technology, change is the only constant. One of our favorite sites is Promethean Planet, a great source of free interactive whiteboard resources. You can also read up on the 32 Most Innovative Online Educational Tools to Use in 2016. Finally, check out the wide variety of technology courses we offer to help you build your technology best practices.

Get Funded

Have you thought of amazing field trips, projects, or resources for next year but don’t have the money to make them a reality? Donors Choose is an innovative charitable organization that allows teachers to request funding for classroom materials or activities.

Volunteer

After a stressful year, you may need a kick of positive energy. Volunteering is a great way to help your community and it just feels good. Get your hands dirty with Habitat for Humanity (never underestimate how good it feels to build something after a long school year). Consider becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister or being a mentor to a youth in your community. If you’re not sure where to start, check out Volunteer Match, which will match your skills, schedule, and location with a local organization.

Become a Student (Outside of the Classroom)

To help prepare you for another great year of teaching, check out our teacher wellness courses like Stress Reduction for Better Teaching, Reigniting the Teaching Spirit, Establishing Order in your Classroom, Time Management for Teachers, Achieving a Work-Life Balance in Teaching, and Why Good Coaches Quit .

Rejuvenate Yourself

Your summer break is meant for you to recharge your batteries, reflect on your achievements during the school year, and get excited about teaching again. No matter how you plan to spend the summer, you should take this time to shake off the stresses of the year, soak in the quiet, and treat yourself to some well-deserved R&R. You deserve it!

How are you celebrating the beginning of summer? Whatever you are doing, we hope you are having as much fun as the teachers at Karns High School in Tennessee!