As a teacher, you are an “unsung hero.” You pour so much of your energy into the lives of your students. Even with breaks throughout the year, we understand that your heart and mind never fully disconnects from the enormous responsibility of teaching. Funnel that energy into activities that will help you grow, and in turn, help your students grow! Here are a few ways to use your breaks from school for good.

Unplug

A good way to turn off your work-brain is by completely unplugging. Set a goal to stay away from email, social media, and other digital-centric distractions for a specific amount of time. While you’re unplugged, spend this time with friends and family or spend it investing in yourself and your health, both mental and physical. Go for a walk, go out to dinner at your favorite restaurant, spend some time reading a good book, or curl up on the couch and watch your favorite movie. The absence of endless distractions will do you a world of good and will help you reset your focus.

Get Away

Take this time off to get away with some friends, your family, or your spouse. Go to the beach and sit by the ocean, go to the mountains and take a hike, or, if you can really plan ahead, visit another country. Need to travel on a budget? You can easily get away without purchasing a pricey plane ticket. Explore a nearby town within driving distance or visit relatives you haven’t seen in a while. Trips are always cheaper when you don’t have to pay for a place to stay!   

Make a To-Do List

A break from school is also a good time to complete things you’ve been putting off. Been meaning to update your kitchen? Or clean out your closet? Or wishing you had the time to organize your bookshelf? Instead of cramming these tasks in at the end of the school day, make a list of projects and other things you want to accomplish and set realistic deadlines for yourself throughout the break. That way you don’t save them all for the last few weeks or days.

Get in the Word

The most important thing you can do with extra time during school breaks is to dig into God’s word. Find a daily devotional guide or study a book of the Bible with some loved ones. Make a plan to memorize Bible verses to arm yourself with the Truth that will empower you through the upcoming school year.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (KJV).

Teach Yourself

Ironically, a break from school is the best time to learn. The willingness to always continue to learn will allow you to grow, no matter how long you’ve been teaching. That’s why we offer free Professional Development courses for teachers online! We provide you with a library of videos created by our Master Teachers for all grades and subjects. Learn from veterans of the industry how to best organize your classroom, how to apply Christian principles to all subjects, how to best teach phonics, and more.  

You’ve earned every break you get during the school year. Now you have a solid foundation for how to make the most of them. Take the time to care for yourself, and in the long run, it will benefit both you and your students!