Summer.

Time to Rest, Reset, and quietly start a Revolution

Summer is here in the Northern Hemisphere.

And with this time of year comes a well-deserved respite for those of us in education. We relish taking a break from the hectic pace.

Over the next several weeks, teachers and principals will be embracing the change in environment, enjoying the sunshine, and maybe taking the time to read a good book. Some will relish the time and feel relief that they feel like they can breathe again.

Of course, many will begin summer jobs or paid projects to make ends meet. And some will switch roles to full-time parenting all day every day.

At any rate, summer brings change.

Soon after we settle into a new pace, however, a different sense comes along. Principals start wondering if their schools will have enough teachers. Will someone break their contract for a different role? Will I have to hire someone at the last minute?

And many teachers begin to consider roles outside of teaching now that they have the time and space to reflect on their year. How long will I stay in the classroom? Is this the right fit for my career long-term?

But, what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if we knew everyone would be returning in the fall?

• What if instead of any concerns, we spent summers fully recharging?

• What if teachers earned enough income to be able to experience summer without second jobs?

• What if principals and leaders had the time to focus on new innovations and collaborations instead of being concerned about having enough staff?

• What if teachers had full financial support to attend conferences for professional growth in the summers?

We don’t have to feel stuck in a profession we thought would be different. We don’t have to feel as though things will never improve or shift in a better direction.

We can take action now to move the needle forward to solve some of the profession’s problems.

It’s possible. We just have to want to try and take the first step.

But where to start? I understand taking that first step might seem overwhelming given the challenges we face in many schools. And this is where I refer to Frank Underwood from House of Cards, “That’s how you devour a whale, Doug. One bite at a time.”

We don’t just go run a marathon. We don’t just build a house overnight. It’s a process. It all takes time with intentional forward motion.

And of course, not every school’s challenges are the same. Each one needs to improve different aspects of the profession to retain teachers. So there is no “one solution”.

But my four pillar framework, outlined in The Blueprint, helps school leaders and teachers focus on the areas needed to improve the profession within their schools in an intentional and focused manner. It helps to assess the situation, determine the biggest problems, and set out a plan for improvement.

Right now, in the fresh new days of summer, is the perfect time to take the first step at your school.

1. Assess which pillar (financial growth, professional growth, voice, time) is the top priority at your school right now.

2. Ask yourself (and others)-what shift can we make in the first 30 days of school to have an impact on this pillar? (ideas can be found in The Blueprint if you are stuck)

3. Select one and set a plan into motion.

You can do that in less than a day…and still have time to hit the pool!

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If you’re done waiting for someone else to fix our profession—and you're ready to actually do something about it—The Blueprint is for you. It’s bold, it’s practical, and it’s built for people who still believe in what this profession can be. Start building the future of teaching today. Because if not you, then who?

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