How to Reset for Next School Year
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Welcome to our yearlong series on Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers. Each week we will give you a new piece to the classroom management puzzle to have in place when you need it this school year. Think of it as a Lego kit just waiting to be built.
Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers: How Can I Reset and Avoid Burnout Before the Next School Year
I see you. I see the way you poured your heart into this school year - the endless patience tying shoelaces, the warm hugs soothing tearful eyes, the after-hours spent crafting lessons and cutting out little paper hearts for your students. I see the late evening grading papers and the early mornings setting up your classroom. I know how quiet the classroom feels now, with the chairs stacked and the sunlight on the empty desks. Another year is over, and you gave it your all.
You Gave So Much – It’s Okay to Feel Drained
Right now, you might be feeling utterly drained. You may be replaying the year in your mind, wondering if you could have done more – or simply marveling that you made it through. Take a deep breath, my friend: it’s okay to feel exhausted. Teaching is often described as a marathon, and crossing the finish line of the school year can leave even the strongest of us collapsing with fatigue. It’s not a sign of weakness or lack of passion – it’s proof of how much you care and how hard you worked.
If you’ve felt on the edge of burnout, you are far from alone. One recent survey found that K–12 teachers are among the most burned-out professionals, with nearly half reporting they feel burned out "often" or "always" (devlinpeck.com). Think about that – almost one in two. That doesn’t make your fatigue vanish, but it means your struggle is shared. This job asks so much of us that we sometimes forget we’re human.
You Deserve to Recover – Guilt-Free
I want to tell you something I wish someone had told me years ago: You have permission to rest. In fact, rest isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. We don’t burn out because we aren’t good enough or don’t care; often, we burn out when we never allow ourselves to recover (edutopia.org).
So please, let go of any guilt about not working for a while. You might hear a little voice whisper, “Good teachers should use the summer to get ahead.” But here’s the truth: trying to be a martyr doesn’t help anyone – not even your students. Your kids don’t need a burned-out superhero; they need a teacher who is energetic, patient, and passionate come fall. And that requires a well-rested, recharged you. Teaching is an exhausting gig, and it’s okay to take a break in the summer. You’ve poured your heart and soul into your students; you shouldn’t feel guilty for resting – it’s truly what your students need (medium.com).
Embrace Rest and Renewal
For the next few weeks, I hope you embrace the slow mornings and quiet moments. Leave the alarm clock off. Savor your coffee while it’s still hot. Let yourself lounge in pajamas until noon if you want. It might feel strange at first to have nothing urgent to do – teachers are so used to going a mile a minute – but give yourself permission to just be.
Do things just for you and your own joy. Remember that novel gathering dust on your nightstand? Crack it open on a lazy afternoon. Have you been meaning to try a new recipe, paint for fun, or play the guitar? This is your time. Maybe you’ll take a midday nap, or binge-watch a show guilt-free, or call up a friend for a long chat. Reconnect with the hobbies and people that make you feel like you, not just “Mrs. So-and-so.” You are more than your teacher self, and nurturing that whole self will replenish your spirit.
If you can, spend a little time outdoors too. Take a stroll and feel the sun on your face, or sit under a shady tree and just listen to the birds. Nature has a way of restoring us – you know how peaceful it feels to watch a sunset or breathe in the summer air. Let the simple beauty of the world remind you that there’s more to life than lesson plans and emails. Each walk in the park, each evening watching fireflies, is quietly mending the worn-out parts of you.
Looking Ahead with Hope
The next school year will come, as surely as the sun rises. But it doesn’t have to cast a shadow over your summer. If thoughts of September sneak in, you can certainly jot them down and set them aside – capture those ideas and then gently return to the present moment. Trust that when the time comes to welcome a new class of little ones, you will be ready. By taking care of yourself now, you’re investing in every child you’ll teach down the road. You’re ensuring that when you step back into your classroom, you’ll bring the best version of yourself – a teacher who is calm, inspired, and truly present.
And if you find a spark of excitement returning in late July or August, let it come slowly and joyfully. Maybe you’ll read an inspiring education book on the porch, or daydream about a fun project for your new class. Maybe you’ll attend a workshop simply because it lights you up, not because you feel obligated. Whatever you do, let joy be your guide, not guilt or fear. Any small bit of planning or professional learning you choose to do should fill your cup, not empty it. Remember, the goal isn’t to get a head start at the expense of your well-being – the goal is to begin the next year renewed and eager.
Finally, know that you are not alone on this journey. I’m writing to you as a fellow teacher who has stood in your shoes, feeling that bone-deep weariness when the school year ends. There is a whole community of us out here, cheering you on and understanding exactly what you’ve given. We truly are in this together. So please, be gentle with yourself this summer. Treat yourself with the same kindness you give to your students. You have earned this break a thousand times over.
When a new school year dawns, you’ll set up your classroom again – fresh bulletin boards, sharpened pencils, a circle of tiny chairs awaiting bright faces. And because you took this time to rest and heal, you’ll step into that room replenished in a way no lesson-plan marathon could ever achieve. You’ll be able to greet your students with genuine warmth and patience, with your passion rekindled.
Until then, let this summer fill your own heart. Every lazy afternoon nap, every laugh with friends, every moment of quiet grace you grant yourself now is a gift to the teacher you will be in the fall. You have done enough; you are enough.
Now, close your laptop, my friend. Step outside and feel that warm summer sun. Let the season of renewal begin – you deserve every bit of it.
Teach~Relax~Repeat,
Lauren
P.S. When you’re ready for a gentle nudge or some extra inspiration, I have a little gift for you: the Summer Reset Guide for Teachers. It’s a free, heartfelt resource filled with simple self-care ideas, reflection prompts, and encouraging reminders – think of it as a friendly companion to support you through your break. Download your copy of the Summer Reset Guide and let it help you make the most of this time for yourself. Remember, this season is for you. Take it, cherish it, and come back next year shining bright.
Manage Student Behavior in 5 Minutes a Day!
Do you see student behavior going through the roof right about now?
Have you tried EVERYTHING and NOTHING seems to work?
Trust me, I've been there!
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As teachers, we can't assume that students know how to behave or what is expected of them and so often that is where things go wrong for us. (We all know what happens when we ''assume", but yet we still do it anyway.)
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Best of all, each card has scenario of the day, reflection questions, and possible consequences that teachers can use in each situation.
GRAB YOUR FREE SAMPLE HERE: Student Behavior Scenario of the Day Cards
DID YOU KNOW…
Did you know I organize a FREE Facebook Group for Mastering Classroom Management? We are gearing up for our school year quarter sessions, so if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your classroom management join the already 200+ teachers that have signed up: Mastering Classroom Management Facebook Group
Your ebook GIFT: Empowering Primary Teachers: Effectively Manage Disruptive and Violent Behaviors in the Classroom
FINALLY…
If you enjoyed the tips in this post, you might also enjoy this series of videos Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers:
Unlock the Key to Supporting Neurodivergent Learners - Without Overwhelm
Finished Early? Now What? 10 Brilliant Ways to Keep Students Engaged Without the Chaos
A Guide to Creating an Intrinsically Motivated Classroom
Expanding AI's Role in the Primary Classroom
Unlock the Power of AI in the Primary Classroom
Supporting a Student Being Bullied
What to do With a Bully in the Primary Classroom
Don’t forget to follow us over on Instagram!
Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
