As the school year winds down and the halls grow quieter, as an administrator you may find yourself in a unique space. Summer, with its slower pace, offers a rare opportunity to step back, reflect, recharge, and reimagine your approach for the upcoming school year. This is your chance to focus on your own well-being and to plan strategically for a successful year ahead. Here are some simple, practical steps to make the most of your in-office time this summer.

REFLECT

Assess the Past Year:

• Take Inventory: Set aside time to review the past year. What were your biggest achievements? Where did you encounter challenges? Identify patterns and recurring themes. 
• Seek Feedback: Collect input from teachers, students, and parents. What worked well? What could be improved? Use surveys or informal conversations to gather honest feedback.
• Personal Reflection: Reflect on your own leadership. What were your strengths? Where did you feel stretched thin? What are one or two small changes you could make that would have considerable benefits moving forward? 

Action Step: Block off 10 minutes on your calendar each week for reflection. Consider creating a reflection journal where you can jot down your thoughts, successes, challenges, and feedback received.

RECHARGE

Prioritize Self-Care:

• Physical Health: Use this time to establish or reinforce healthy habits. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are foundational to your well-being. 
• Mental Health: Engage in activities that help you relax and decompress. Whether it’s reading, gardening, meditating, or spending time with loved ones, find what rejuvenates you.
• Professional Development: Choose books, podcasts, or on-demand courses that inspire and energize you. This is your chance to learn and grow without the immediate pressures of the school environment.

Action Step: Schedule short, daily self-care activities. To carry this idea forward, ensuring your staff also has strong self-care practices, use our SELf-Care Faculty Meeting Plans next school year.

REIMAGINE

Plan with Purpose:

• Set Goals: Define clear, achievable goals for the next school year. Break them down into actionable steps and assign timelines to keep you on track.
• Innovate: Think creatively about new approaches or programs. How can you foster a more inclusive and engaging learning and work environment? 
• Collaborate: The summer is a great time to engage with others. Whether it is with your team, other administrators in your area, or a leadership coach, use the space and time that summer affords to brainstorm ideas and build a cohesive vision for the year ahead.

Action Step: Work with a leadership coach, your team, and peers to develop a strategic plan for the upcoming school year. Include specific goals, timelines, and accountability measures.

IMPLEMENTING THE 3 R’S

By incorporating these strategies into your summer routine, you’ll set a strong foundation for the next school year. Here are a few additional tips to make this process even more effective:

• Start Small: Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many tasks. Focus on a few key areas that will have the most impact.
• Be Consistent: Regular reflection, self-care, and planning will yield better results than sporadic efforts.
• Stay Connected: Keep in touch with your professional network. Share ideas, seek advice, and offer support to fellow educators. 
• Give Yourself Grace: Understand that it’s okay to have setbacks or unproductive days. Be kind to yourself and recognize that taking breaks is part of the process.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As you take this time to reflect, recharge, and reimagine, remember that your well-being is crucial to your effectiveness as a leader. By investing in yourself this summer, you’ll be better equipped to lead your school to new heights in the year ahead!

Take a moment now to plan how you’ll maximize the slower pace of the summer. Reflect on the past, recharge your spirit, and reimagine a brighter future for your school community. You’ve got this and we are here to support you!

What are your top three priorities for reflection, recharging, and reimagining this summer? We’d love to hear your goals – reach out to share your plans and remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way and provide you with the tools and strategies you need to succeed!

Written by Sarah Fillion & Dana Januszka 2024