Summer Dreams

This post is in response to a bookcampPD challenge, asking teachers to think about what they dream about for the summer. Here was my submission. I can’t wait to see what my online colleagues have to say as well!

…and you…? I’d love to know what you dream of doing this summer. Leave a comment and let me know!

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This summer, I dream of doing more. More “less.”

Let me explain.

Throughout the school year, I pack all of the “more” I can into my days. Between planning, grading, kid logistics, managing a household and trying to maintain some semblance of self-care, I find myself crammed in with little room to breathe.

I used to feel obligated to be productive with my summers, so that when people asked me what my plans were, I would have an answer that sounded important and busy: graduate work, professional development, curriculum planning.

Don’t get me wrong, I still continue much of that over the summer. I don’t think it’s ever possible to completely shut off my teacher brain. But I’m also realizing that I don’t have to feel guilty for having times where I am unproductive. Simply put, I need to come up for air. And summer is the time to do it.

And if that means I do less? So be it. I’m owning it.

This summer, I dream of doing less of my “more,” and more of my “less.”

More hiking and walking.
More reading.
More baking.
More working out.
More sleeping.
More catching up with friends.

And when I come back to school in the fall, there will once again be more of me to go around.