Professional Growth during the Summer Break? Of Course!

Learning and development are not typical associations with the word “summer”. Summer is time to relax and recharge. It’s beneficial to get away from daily stressors and take time to engage in activities you enjoy.

But summer is also a perfect opportunity to do something for your professional development in an enjoyable way. Maybe you’ll find inspiration in one of the following ideas:

1. Do what you’re passionate about.
What do you enjoy doing but you rarely have time for it? Is it traveling, sport, outdoor activities, trying new recipes, reading, painting, maybe some do it yourself crafts?
Personal well-being can also be a powerful motivation for developmental activities. When you relax and engage in activities you enjoy, you might get some ideas for activities that will enrich your next school year’s curriculum. Additionally, studies have shown that taking time for yourself not only reduces stress but also increases work engagement and performance of teachers.
So take a vacation. Relax. Spend time with your friends and family. Try something new. And most importantly, do what makes you happy!

2. Set goals for next school year.
Think about what you want to accomplish next year and how is this beneficial for your students. From which activities could your students benefit the most? What will keep them motivated? Maybe implementation of some new student projects or cross-curricular teaching?
Make sure you regularly write down your ideas and set goals that will motivate you through the next school year. You can help yourself with SMART goal setting technique.

3. Keep your knowledge in shape
Which skills would you like to acquire in near future? Do you feel you are lacking some knowledge you could really use next year? Attend some summer seminar courses and strengthen your skills and knowledge. Check if there are some teaching conferences nearby. Find some well-established websites and journals and throw yourself into reading. There are plenty of opportunities, go for them!
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4. Evaluate your classroom activities
Which teaching methods were effective last year and why? Which methods and activities deserve some improvement? What challenges are you going to face next year? What can you do about them? Think about it and write everything down! These questions will help you identify areas that need your attention. Equip yourself with tools and knowledge and ask your colleagues for some tips. And when you get some ideas, don’t forget to share your knowledge with them!