Dear Educators: You Made It—Now Let’s Talk About You

May 30

Why This Summer is the Perfect Time to Recharge, Rebuild, and Build Resilience

Another school year down. Another ten months of lesson plans, behavior charts, hallway duty, parent emails, after-school meetings, and pouring from a cup that’s been running on empty since October.

If you’re an educator—teacher, classroom assistant, intervention specialist, or support staff—you know the quiet kind of exhaustion that settles in once the final bell rings. The kind that seeps into your bones and your spirit. You give your all every single day, often at the cost of your own well-being. And now that summer break is here, your to-do list might shift from “lesson planning” to “catching up on everything I’ve been too tired to do.”

But what if this summer, instead of just recovering from burnout, you used it to build resilience for what’s ahead?

Why Resilience Matters in Education

The stress of working in a school isn’t just about grading or lesson planning. It’s about carrying the emotional weight of students’ lives, managing ever-changing expectations, and showing up even when your tank is low. That kind of stress is chronic—and without the right tools, it can leave lasting effects on your mental and physical health.

This is where resilience comes in.

Resilience isn’t about “powering through.” It’s the ability to recover from stress, to adapt, to regulate your nervous system, and to keep showing up without losing yourself in the process. It’s a skillset that helps you respond, not just react—to chaos, pressure, and everything in between.

And the beauty of resilience? You can strengthen it through small, intentional habits—starting this summer.

Summer Self-Care That Actually Supports You

Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and beach days (though those are lovely too). It’s about doing the inner work that supports your nervous system, restores your energy, and reconnects you with your sense of purpose. And you don’t need hours of free time or an expensive retreat to start building that foundation.

Here are a few resilience-building practices you can start right now:

1. Body: Reset Your Nervous System

Practice deep breathing (box breathing or 4-7-8 breath are great options)
Try yoga, stretching, or gentle movement to release physical tension
Get outside—sunlight and movement are natural mood boosters

2. Mind: Rewire Stressful Thought Patterns

Journal for 5–10 minutes a day to reflect and release
Practice mindfulness or guided meditation (start with 5 minutes)
Name your wins—big or small—from the school year. Celebrate yourself.

3. Connect: Build Meaningful Support

Reconnect with trusted friends or educator peers
Seek out support groups or professional development focused on educator wellness
Re-engage with your “why” through creativity, rest, or meaningful connection

You don’t need a whole hour per day.

The biggest barrier to building new habits? Time. And during the school year, time is in short supply. That’s why summer is the perfect season to experiment with simple, sustainable strategies that you can carry with you into fall.

Start small. Really small.

Two minutes of breathing before bed.
Five minutes of journaling with your coffee.
A morning walk once or twice a week.

You don’t have to overhaul your life. You just have to begin. The goal is consistency, not perfection. Micro-habits build momentum—and over time, they create resilience.

A Word for the Coming Year…

When you return to school, the demands won’t disappear. But you can show up differently. When you care for yourself first, you’ll have more energy, more patience, and more presence to offer your students. You’ll recover from the hard days more quickly. You’ll remember that your needs matter, too.

Building resilience isn’t selfish. It’s how you sustain the incredible work you do—without sacrificing your health, your joy, or your identity outside the classroom.

This Summer, Choose You

You’ve held space for everyone else all year long. Now it’s your turn. Use this summer not just to rest—but to restore. Not just to unplug—but to rebuild the inner reserves you’ll need to thrive in a challenging profession.

You are more than your job.
You are worthy of care.
And you are absolutely capable of building a more resilient, grounded version of yourself—one small step at a time.

Looking for more?

Explore my workshops, printable journals, and online resources designed specifically for educators like you. Whether you’re new to resilience or ready to deepen your practice, I’ve got tools to support you through summer and beyond.

Your well-being is not optional—it’s essential. Let’s build it together.