Questions & Authors: How to reflect, regroup, and refresh this summer

July 2008

It's a common misconception: teachers get a long summer vacation and do little between June and September. But of course the reality is that teachers use their summer holidays not only to reflect on the past year in their classrooms, but also to improve their teaching and come up with new ideas and strategies for the year ahead.

Jennifer Allen, a literacy specialist and author of Becoming a Literacy Leader shares her tips for a purposeful, productive summer-- that also includes some beach or swimming pool time. Jen suggests spending some time during the summer with colleagues who can help move your thinking forward and challenge you with new ideas. Jen also has some tips for new graduates who are looking forward to their first year of teaching.

"As I classroom teacher, I looked at the end of the school year as my opportunity for a new beginning, a chance to reflect and refine my current practices and implement new thinking. Summer was the time that I would read and plot out my new ideas for the upcoming year. I would spend my summer at the beach dreaming of a fresh start.

More tips for the summer:
"I think the first, and most important, thing for a teacher to do is rest/unwind. Then gear back up by reading the latest, greatest, professional materials and discuss them with friends over lunch. Perhaps meet with teacher friends to plan a unit that was tricky the previous year or something new you will try. I also like to attend one professional conference. I think brand new teachers should travel and have fun the summer before they start! Once they finish traveling and start to settle into adult life, they could check into the school where they will teach and read one book that someone at the school recommends. They could also have a few coffee dates with a teacher that is just beyond their first year, so they can hear how the year might go (because it won't be easy!)."
-- Amy H. Greene, coauthor of Test Talk

I think, in general, teachers are goal oriented, life-long learners. Yet many times, even with the best intentions of trying out a new instructional practice, I would start the new school year implementing a new idea but would find myself faced with professional road blocks and would quickly abandon the new idea and retreat to old practices.

So what was missing? Collaboration and support from colleagues. I spent too many summer days alone, reflecting on "my" classroom. I hadn't built any support systems that would help me work through the clunkiness of implementing new instructional practices.

As educators we tend to spend hours alone in classrooms with students. When not with students, we move from meeting to meeting often not taking time to enjoy each other's company.

I have come to believe that collaborative support systems are a key to healthy teaching. Collaborative relationships do take time to build and need to be nurtured. I see summer break as an opportunity to get together with colleagues in more relaxed settings. I tend to seek out colleagues and friends who share my passion for literacy.

I still spend many summer days at the beach reflecting on literacy. Only now, I spend many of those days (phone, pool, beach, lunch) with other educators who dream of new beginnings. Together we talk about how we can better support our students. We reflect on the ups and downs of the past year. Sometimes it is as simple as sharing a good book. The conversation is stimulating. It pushes my thinking in new directions. I find the simple pleasure of conversation with fellow educators fills me with new energy and optimism for the fall."

Tips for first-year teachers

"I still remember picking up the phone in my kitchen and hearing the words, 'We would like to offer you a third grade position.' Eighteen years have passed, yet the call and emotions that filled the moment are still vivid and bring me right back to my start as a classroom teacher, the beginning of my journey as an educator.

As I hung up the phone that day many years ago, I began to dream

More tips for new teachers:
"When I think about how much time I spent on making cute 'job charts' as opposed to absorbing what I was going to actually have to teach, it makes me cringe. For me, thinking of creative ways to teach the curriculum is a step by step process, and the first step is actually reading and knowing the standards of learning. Then, over time, creative ideas come. The earlier I know the info, the more time I have to process it and translate it into exciting, meaningful lessons for the kids. So starting that process in the summer is beneficial, I think. Once new, young teachers learn their standards, they can lay on the beach and think about ideas for the lesson's they'll teach, thereby relaxing and preparing at the same time! Great lesson in multitasking."
-- Glennon Doyle Melton, coauthor of Test Talk

of my very own classroom. I was ecstatic, ready to take off and face the challenges of classroom teaching. What I lacked in experience, I made up for with enthusiasm and my idealistic vision for creating a community of learners. I spent the rest of that summer reading curriculum, gathering resources, and designing a learning environment for my classroom.

My first year of teaching was hard -- and so were the next four that followed.

For most, the first few years of teaching are hard. As a new educator you may feel that you are in over your head and you don't know exactly what you should be doing. But as a new graduate and fellow educator you need to know that we need people like you in our profession. We need your innovation, optimism, and enthusiasm. You are the future of our schools.

Here is what to do this summer to be better prepared in the fall:
- Think through behavior management
- Scope out your teaching space
- Design a learning environment that reflects your educational beliefs
- Read up on state standards
- Read the district's curriculum
- Familiarize yourself with district assessments
- Reread your favorite professional book
- Use your mentor and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions
- Take time to relax.

"Questions & Authors" is an occasional series on our website, where Stenhouse authors address your classroom concerns, provide tips, and share their experiences. Feel free to submit your dilemma to zmcmullin@stenhouse.com and it may be featured in an upcoming installment.

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