Teachers are on holiday during the entire summer school break, right? Or aren’t they? What is the reality? Krisztina Varga, a teacher of digital culture, English and French at Szent Imre Catholic Primary and Art School in Zsombó, who is also a school coordinator and ProSuli advisor, explains how an average teacher’s summer is structured, what they have to do, what their school and teaching community typically expects of them during this time, and why it is difficult to let go of tasks when the students are already on holiday.
Teachers’ holidays = summer school break?
There is still a stereotype that teachers’ holidays start at the same time as pupils’ holidays. But the reality is that there is a lot to do between the last day at school and the holidays which start in the first week of July. This is the time to complete any remaining administrative tasks and to make a high-level plan for the next school year, based on the experience of the previous period.
And the summer holidays can be interrupted by other tasks – summer camps, exam preparations. During the summer, parents send their children to camps, if they can afford it. These programs require a large number of trained professionals and teachers to run them safely and professionally. In many cases, teachers take on the role of supervisors, sometimes for several two- or three-week camps in a row during the summer break, with responsibility for supervision throughout. In the same way, both students and parents rely on the teachers to help exam preparations.
However, for teachers, as for other professionals, the summer is one of the most important times to recharge. Whatever your profession, here are some tips to make this time truly relaxing.
It is well known that work-life balance is essential for improving your quality of life. Teachers (also) work with their personality and therefore, have a constant impact on other actors in education, including students, colleagues and, directly or indirectly, parents. It’s in everyone’s interest to make education more effective and efficient, and one of the prerequisites for this is the mental well-being of those involved. So, the main purpose of the summer holidays should be the same for children, teachers and parents alike: to relax and start the next school year with renewed energy.
Don’t overschedule
It’s worth planning your summer holidays with a clear focus on recharging. It’s liberating not to over-schedule and avoid the stress of a busy program and a lot to do. In addition to the tasks and recharging, it’s good to take time to look inwards, to observe yourself and reflect: how this year has affected you, what was easy, what was difficult, what successes you’ve had, where you need to improve professionally, what your goals are, what’s in store for you this year? It’s great to have friends who will listen to you honestly, and who you can rely on when you need a supportive environment. This is a time of year when you have more time and opportunity for me time and self-reflection, as there is much less time and opportunity for that during the school year. Coming back to the teaching profession, developing self-awareness is a must for teachers. “You should be aware of what works for you, what’s really recreational, and what doesn't work – you have to acknowledge them all. The first step is to clarify this for yourself”, says Krisztina Varga.
Take time for yourself
According to Krisztina Varga, it is also a common stereotype that teachers must always give their best, both professionally and personally. It’s precisely by taking time for yourself that you can recharge: hours or even days without a screen – it’s very difficult to do that when you’re overwhelmed with administrative tasks. Constant virtual presence and technostress are also very demanding on your attention and mental wellbeing; consciously avoiding them is beneficial. Instead, read, especially books that have nothing to do with your job. And exercise. “What I notice about myself is that I need to get back to the basics: watching a sunrise, marvelling at things you pass by in your daily rush “, says Krisztina Varga. “It would be good if you could be grateful to yourself: don’t just focus on the challenges, but be proud of yourself, acknowledge your own efforts and achievements. Gratitude and self-acceptance can keep you going.”
A key part of being a teacher and working in a healthy way is not to become your own self-harming critic, but to be more understanding of yourself. If necessary, remind yourself that, despite the difficulties, you deserve rest, recharging, quality community and me time, which will enable you to return to your tasks with renewed vigour. Krisztina Varga believes that the little things, gratitude, self-awareness, spontaneity, honest conversations and asking for help can all help to make summer a time of relaxation through personal growth, even if you have some duties to attend to.