You made it. The calendars are cleared, the inboxes are (mostly) ignored, and your brain is slowly transitioning out of “survival mode.” But before you toss that lanyard in a drawer and hit full summer mode, there’s something worth doing first… a reset! And, we’ve got the educator checklist to help you do just that.
This isn’t about jumping into fall planning or perfectly labeling your Google Drive folders (unless that sparks joy for you—no shame). It’s about giving yourself a chance to mentally, digitally, and emotionally clear the decks—so you can fully enjoy your summer and return with less clutter and more clarity.
Whether you’re in the classroom, the library, coaching educators, or running PD, this reset is for you.
The Educator Reset Checklist
A Mental and Emotional Reset
You’ve carried a lot this year. Take a breath, take a bow—and take stock while it’s all still fresh in your mind.
- Start by writing down three wins from this year. They can be big, small, or somewhere in between—and yes, “survived May” absolutely counts.
- Take a moment to reflect: What consistently zapped your energy? And what fueled you, inspired you, or made the hard days worth it?
- Think about one thing that didn’t go the way you hoped. Now—for your own peace of mind—give yourself permission to let it go.
- Send a quick thank you to someone who supported you this year. It doesn’t have to be fancy—even a sticky note to yourself totally counts.
Digital and Workspace Declutter
Your future self will thank you—even if it’s just “Summer You” not staring at 31 open tabs next week.
- Start by archiving your digital spaces, like Google Classrooms, shared drives, or any platforms you won’t need until fall.
- Take a few minutes to delete or organize files on your desktop or cloud storage. Even a quick cleanup can make a big difference.
- Create blank folders for next year—even if you don’t fill them right away, having them ready feels surprisingly satisfying.
- And finally, unsubscribe from five (or more) email lists you never read. Seriously—set yourself free.
Personal Recharge
This part? Mandatory. Let yourself be off-duty, and don’t feel bad about it.
- Choose one book or podcast to enjoy simply for the fun of it, with zero professional development strings attached.
- Block off a full day for yourself with no chores, no school emails, and no obligations—just rest, recharge, and whatever makes you feel like you again.
- Whether it’s diving into a creative hobby, testing out a new recipe, or savoring the underrated joy of a 2 p.m. nap, give yourself permission to slow down, recharge, and try something new.
- Set one boundary you’ll stick to—like no checking work email after 5 p.m.—and honor it like your peace depends on it. (Because honestly, it might.)
Light Future Prep (Optional, Not Required)
Think of this as a small gift to your future, back-to-school self. Just a few gentle nudges to keep handy—nothing overwhelming.
- Start by doing a quick brain dump of any ideas, inspiration, or “next year I want to…” thoughts you don’t want to forget.
- Save two or three activities, links, or resources that really worked for you this year so you can easily find them later.
- Bookmark one online course, webinar, or PD opportunity to check out—whenever you’re ready, no pressure.
- Consider updating your resume or LinkedIn profile, even if you’re not actively job hunting. It’s a great way to celebrate how far you’ve come.
This checklist isn’t about doing more. It’s about giving yourself the space to move into summer lighter, calmer, and more grounded. Because you’ve earned more than just a break. You’ve earned a reset.
Here’s to no snooze buttons, unhurried afternoons, and a fresh start whenever you’re ready.
I’ll be over here soaking it all in—my dog Penelope stealing everyone’s spot on the couch and all three of my boys home for the next couple of months. I’m not off for the summer myself, but I hope you are—and that you soak up every minute of it. Rest, recharge, and make the most of your well-earned time. And if you need anything, I’m just a message away.
If you’d like to make this checklist your own, you can [edit the template here] or [download the PDF version here] to keep handy as a reminder that you deserve a reset, too.
