We Need A Recharge Day
11 Suggestions for Teacher Bonding Experiences
Photo by Felix Rostig on Unsplash
“So, what if unusual benefits were offered to teachers?” I wrote in my recent post, Is It Because We're Teachers?
I made the case for building field trips or experiential days into the school year for teacher team bonding, rejuvenation, and rest. Why not? Other professions do have this opportunity.
Because my suggestion received a lot of traction, I decided to share some potential activities that could boost morale, provide time away from the daily grind, and help teams build connections.
To be clear, I am not speaking of designing full day meetings with little game activities or inspirational videos. We’ve all been part of those professional days or meetings at work where we are expected to have fun but walk away feeling though our time is being wasted. No, these days must have purpose, build connections, and ideally, occur off-school grounds.
Recharge Day.
Consider how you may feel after participating in one of these-
Wellness Retreat (Yoga, Meditation, or Spa Day)
Why? Teaching is high-stress, and burnout is real. A wellness retreat provides a space to recharge mentally and physically, leading to improved job satisfaction and performance.
Escape Room Challenge
Why? It encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving—skills essential for a collaborative school environment. Plus, it’s fun and gets everyone thinking in new ways.
Sports Competition Day (Golf, Basketball, Pickleball)
Why? Friendly competition can be fun, and these games encourage teamwork and build relationships. Plus, these activities can improve communication which are necessary for maintaining a positive culture.
Teacher Swap & Shadowing
Why? Let teachers swap classes or observe colleagues in different subjects/grades for a day. It fosters appreciation for each other's work and sparks new ideas for teaching strategies.
Outdoor Adventure (Hiking, Ropes Course, or Kayaking)
Why? Spending time in nature reduces stress and builds camaraderie. Activities like a ropes course can improve trust and problem-solving among staff.
Book Club or Movie Day (Educational or Fun Themes)
Why? Encourages meaningful discussion, professional growth, and personal connections outside of daily work stress.
Cooking Class or Potluck Competition
Why? Food brings people together, and cooking as a team strengthens communication and collaboration in a low-pressure setting.
Improv or Comedy Workshop
Why? Teaching requires thinking on your feet! Improv fosters adaptability, creativity, and confidence while ensuring plenty of laughs.
Volunteering Together (Community Service Project)
Why? Teachers are role models for students. Working together on a meaningful cause builds teamwork while reinforcing the school's values of service and leadership.
Vision Board & Goal-Setting Workshop
Why? Helps teachers reflect on their professional and personal goals while building a sense of collective mission for the school year.
Retro Game Day (Board Games, Trivia, or Video Games)
Why? Low-stakes competition and nostalgia create laughter and bonding, reducing stress and strengthening relationships.
When planning a Recharge Day, suiting the needs of teachers is key. Offering a menu of choices could be fun. Teachers may end up making new connections and building relationships outside of their team or department.
If collaboration is a goal for the day, allow teams to vote on an activity together. Selecting an experience that suits most members would be an effective way to encourage positive conversations and decision making.
Involve teacher leaders in the menu design. If a group of teachers is involved in the design of the day, excitement will be generated. And, you’ll have more buy-in for the experience.
Teachers should feel rejuvenated after participating in Recharge Day. Joy should be a centerpiece of the experience.
After all, what’s wrong with allowing teachers to have a little fun?
If you want the real, raw story of teaching during the pandemic—you’ll find it in my books. And if you’re ready to stop waiting for change and start creating it, From the Ground Up: 10 Steps to Designing Innovative Programs is your blueprint. Dive in. The future of education won’t build itself.