Summer Time!!! Time to relax, refresh, and rebuild!

It is summer time!! Time to relax, refresh, and rebuild! Let me share how I used to spend my summer time (when I didn't work ESY or Extended School Year) to plan for a successful school year!

Let's start with the beginning of summer! I always took at least 2-4 weeks to work on myself! I always needed time to decompress from the rollercoaster ride of the school year. Some years were harder than others. Some events were more challenging than others. 

Start with doing things that relax and restore your energy:

• Binge on online streaming videos (Netflix, Hulu, Disney +... you name it!)
• Do self care activities (skin care, hair treatments, spa days, massages, or exercise!)
• Read books (fun books of all genres!)
• Go hiking, on walks, on vacation or to the beach. 

After I felt like my brain was ready and my mental health was restored or halfway there... THEN I began to slowly work on things to prepare for a successful upcoming school year. Sometimes you don't know what your job or grade level will be. If that's the case, I always started with classroom decor. I was a theme's gal! So I loved decorating based on a theme and motivational decor. 

If you are lucky to know what grade level, you can start at looking the grade level standards and possibly the grade level curriculum or expectations. However, in the special education world it is slightly different. The preparation needs will vary depending on your teacher role: maybe you are support facilitator or resource teacher, or maybe you are a self contained or special programs teacher. 

The common factor is that students with disabilities have IEPs. So start there! 

• Read the IEPs
• Learn about each student's strengths and weaknesses
• Identify student's instructional levels
• Do they have medical needs? Behavior Needs? or special equipment?
• Begin creating data sheets and work the matches the IEP goals so you can test and progress monitor IEP goals.

Once you have reviewed the IEPs, begin by making name tags, and work or activities based on the IEP goals. 

I highly recommend speaking to administration to get access to your caseload and possibly IEPs. This information will allow you to get an idea of your students, and save time! If all you have is a class list, then start by making name tags, and designing centers or activities for your classroom.

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​This will be a great starting point to plan for a successful year!!! Hope this sparked some ideas to get you going in the summer.