Teacher Spring Break is right around the corner. It’s so close. Isn’t it amazing how the days seem to both drag and speed up at the same time? I mean… how is it spring already?
I remember my first spring break as a teacher. I went to my husband’s (then boyfriend’s) family home. My brother-in-law is also a teacher. We spent time talking about teaching strategies. As a math teacher, he knew way more than I did about teaching algebra to sophomores. While I knew chemistry had a lot of math in it, I never expected to be teaching so many basic math skills to my students. I wanted to pick that man’s brain.
After our trip, I went into the building to set up some new activities using Jon’s tips. I made plans for the upcoming week and got my copies ready for the first few days back. I got caught up on grading and felt ready for the next week. I was feeling good. I was feeling superior. Where was everyone else? They were slacking. Or at least, that’s what I thought then.
While I did come away from that first Spring Break with some great new ideas I was not ready to go back when the time came. I was still tired. I thought this was normal. “Teacher tired” is a thing, right?
There is no right or wrong way to spend your teacher spring break, but there are definitely some things I do differently now to make sure that I actually get a Spring Break… because, frankly, I need it.
Prep before you leave for Teacher Spring Break
I know you’re tired. But listen. Preparing for the first day back from spring break will keep you calm during your entire break! Knowing that you have everything ready to go will actually let you relax and enjoy your time off.
How do I prepare for my Spring Break?
Prepping for me means having everything for the week back printed and ready to go. My powerpoints are loaded into Schoology. I’ve lined up all the chemicals and glassware I’m going to need for the lab we’re doing. I’ve signed up for the laptop cart for our weekly quiz. There is literally nothing I have to do when I return because all of those tasks have already been completed. Believe me, future you will be uber grateful!
Too tired to create something before you leave for spring break? Check out my TPT store for some great options! Or check out my blog post about reducing student overwhelm for tips to consider during your planning.
Don’t go to work
Y’all, this one’s hard. Especially if you are a new teacher and/or you didn’t listen to the advice above. Spring break is just that, a break! It may be tempting to go to work when no one else is there. Yes, it is peaceful. But you aren’t actually taking a break.
Our brains need time to mellow out. So while I know you are tempted to head to work and get caught up- don’t. Teachers on spring break, and really any break, tend to do work and that just isn’t conducive to relaxing.
If you have to go to work during Spring Break:
Here’s my caveat. If you did not properly prepare for your break, set aside one (read it, one) day to go in and knock out a few things from your teacher to-do list. Don’t spend your entire day there. Maybe, max, four hours. Set a timer on your phone and work through your list. I would prioritize plans and copies over everything else.
Have a pile of grading? Skip it for now. You can grade when you get back. OR… here’s a thought. Give a completion grade for everything in that pile. If you’ve left it this long, the feedback you give your students is no longer relevant.
Visit with family & friends
I’m going to bet that you have been missing someone. Whether that’s a family member, a best friend, or a significant other, schedule some time to visit.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Yes, it matters. Why? Knowing which you are will help you determine how much time you spend with friends and family over your teacher spring break. Introverts need more time to themselves to feel relaxed while extroverts need more time around others. Introverts still need time with their loved ones but too much time feels overwhelming. The opposite is true for extroverts. Too much time alone can feel too isolating.
Me? I am a natural introvert and would rather spend my spring break sitting on the couch reading a book or playing in the backyard with my 5-year-old. I do schedule time to go visit family but I’m stingy with my time. I need alone time to fully relax. If you are an extrovert, like my husband, you might need to schedule more time to visit the people you miss. Or maybe plan to have a game night or two at your home during your break. Invite all the people to you!
Get Moving
Ok, be real for a second. When was the last time you moved your body in a meaningful way? If you are like a colleague of mine and you get up every day at 4:30 am to run 3 miles, good for you. That is just not me. I hit the snooze button every time. And after school? I’m wiped. The most I do is go on a walk around the neighborhood with my son, but it’s not sweat-inducing.
You move more than you think
Your body is used to a certain amount of movement each day. Most people think teachers spend all of their time seated at a desk, but we know the truth. We are on our feet most of the day. Yes, your body does need rest, but it is also used to moving. So… move!
You might be surprised by how much energy you have when you’ve settled in for your lazy spring break. I know I was for my first spring break. Man, I was wiped and ready to sit on my couch for days. But you know what? I was so restless. I cleaned my house from top to bottom and still had some energy to spare.
Cleaning does, in fact, count as moving. My suggestion though would be to move your body in some way outside. We’re usually trapped inside all day from 7 am to 4 pm. So get outside during that time. Take a nice long walk or run. Go for a bike ride. Take a class at the gym. Whatever it is, move your body. Sweat out the stress and let those endorphins help you feel great!
Catch up on your hobby
What is the thing you used to do before the school year started that brought you joy? Crafting, movies, reading, legos? Have you had time for those things throughout the school year? Probably not.
No matter what your hobby is, spend a little time during break reconnecting with that things. As teachers, we tend to throw our whole selves into teaching. Being a teacher becomes our identity. But you’re a person too!
What’s my hobby?
Reading. For this year’s teacher spring break, I plan to get through at least two books. One audiobook that I’ll listen to while I move my body and one physical book so I can reduce the number of books on my physical TBR. Listen, that shelf keeps getting fuller and fuller. I keep feeling guiltier and guiltier. I’ll get to them. Eventually.
Don’t sleep in
Please don’t roll your eyes at this one. I know you want to sleep in, but hear me out. If you sleep in too much, you can throw off your circadian rhythm. It makes getting back into the swing of things when spring break is over a bit tougher.
“But Ali, I’m tired!” I. HEAR. YOU. Me too. Go to bed early instead, friend. Take care of your body by getting enough sleep, but not too much sleep.
Protect Your Sleep Cycle
Have you heard of sleep cycles? Our bodies tend to have 3-4 hour sleep cycles, which is why 6-8 hours of sleep is most often recommended. That’s two sleep cycles, for those of you keeping track. When you interrupt a sleep cycle you feel more tired than you would if you completed a cycle. That’s why you feel fine getting 3-4 hours of sleep sometimes but just awful if you sleep for 10 hours. You got in a full sleep cycle for the former but cut a sleep cycle in half for the latter. So even though you got more sleep time with the 10 hour night, you feel more tired because you didn’t complete the cycle.
Everyone’s sleep cycle is slightly different. I personally feel best with 9 hours of sleep, meaning my sleep cycle is possibly 3 hours, but most likely 4.5 hours. How do I know that? Just try waking me up after 3 hours of sleep. I dare you.
And yes, teachers tend to wake up earlier than most individuals during the school year. What should you do with this early morning time while the rest of the world is asleep? See tips 4 and 5
Go somewhere new
This is not me telling you to go to Florida. I mean, go there if you want. I mean go to that place you’ve been meaning to visit but haven’t found the time. That new boutique down the street? The Mexican restaurant you’ve been meaning to try. Any physical location that has been on your list forever. Just go there.
Where Am I Going on Teacher Spring Break?
There’s this place called MOTW Coffee and Pastries that a friend of mine has been raving about. They have my all-time favorite treat: fresh baklava! You better believe I’m making a trip there over spring break.
Travel Cheap for Teacher Spring Break
Are you interested in traveling somewhere new but, because you’re a teacher, you’re a little low on funds? My husband and I have a timeshare and one of the perks is that we can share cheap vacation packages with friends and family.
I had a friend go to Orlando, Florida with her family for $99 for 4 nights (that price is not per night, it’s for the entire stay!). My mom took my grandmother to Gatlinburg for 3 nights, again for $99. I’ve even seen vacation packages to Vegas for as low as $39. That particular package isn’t available right now (3/22/2022), but check back often if you’re looking for even more of a deal.
If you want to check it out for Spring Break or maybe even Summer Break, visit Westgate Resorts and click on Vacation Specials. Our discount code should be at the top of the screen if you use my link, but if it’s not, please use code: 2802103820. We do get a discount on our HOA fees whenever anyone books a stay using our code. You get a cheap trip, we get a break on our fees. Win-win!
Alright, first-years! That’s it.
Those are my tips for having a relaxing Spring Break. Prepare so that you don’t have to go to work, and do some things you don’t normally have time for. But honestly, if all you can manage this Spring Break is to sit in a pile on the floor of your living room with a pint full of ice cream and cry, I don’t blame you. This past year has been hard. Harder than most. I can’t imagine being a first-year teacher right now.
Just know that even though I don’t know you, I love you and wish you the best, most chill, most relaxing Spring Break ever!
Further Reading
Sleep Basics, Article from the Cleveland Clinic
21 Things Every Teacher Should Do While on Spring Break, Listicle from We Are Teachers,
Spring Break Tips for Teachers, Blog Post from the Printable Princess
