Get 5 no-stress back-to-school tips for teachers to prep during summer break. Stay relaxed, get organized, and enjoy your time off!
No-Stress Back-to-School Planning (Yes, Even on Summer Break)
Thinking about the new school year doesn’t have to send you into panic mode. With a few easy strategies, you can feel prepared and still enjoy your summer.
This post shares 5 stress-free ways to prep during your break—plus some handy freebies sprinkled throughout. 🌟
A little planning now = less chaos later. Let’s make the transition back to school smoother (and just maybe – kind of satisfying!).
1) Reflect on What Worked—and What Didn’t
Lesson plans, behavior management, online platforms, assignments, discipline policies… it’s a lot. But here’s the secret: you don’t need to overhaul everything.
Summer is the perfect time to reflect—casually. No pressure. Just pick one or two areas you’d like to tweak or improve. Then start poking around for ideas. Think teacher blogs, Pinterest boards, Instagram posts, or whatever inspires you.
Here’s how I like to do it:
- Settle into your favorite chair (porch, patio, couch—whatever your vibe)
- Grab a cold drink
- Open a few tabs and go down a productive scroll-rabbit hole
To help organize your thoughts, I’ve included a free printable: Glows & Grows Self-Reflection Pages. Use them to jot down what’s working, what could be better, and any sparks of inspiration that pop up along the way.
Summer break is the perfect low-pressure time to regroup, recharge, and refocus. You’ve got this.
2) Find Teacher Blogs That Actually Inspire You
The internet is full of gold when it comes to teacher tips, ideas, and ready-to-use lessons—if you know where to look.
Start with Pinterest. It’s a treasure map for blog posts and teaching websites tailored to your grade level and subject area. You’ll find solutions for everything—classroom management, bulletin board inspo, lesson ideas, you name it.
One of my favorite things about the teaching world? The community. Teachers are generous. We share what works, admit what doesn’t, and support each other through it all.
But here’s a quick PSA: If a blog or social feed leaves you feeling like you’re not doing enough, click away. Nobody’s classroom looks like an Instagram reel in real life, and no one’s got it all figured out (even if their lighting is perfect).
Instead, look for blogs that leave you feeling energized and encouraged. Once you find a few you like, sign up for their emails. Not only will you stay connected, but you’ll often get exclusive freebies that feel like a little inbox high-five.
Grab Your FREE No-Stress Back-to-School Checklist
FREE when you sign up for emails.
Ready to start fresh without the overwhelm? This printable checklist was made with real classrooms (and real teachers) in mind.
✅ It’s editable, flexible, and designed to help you feel prepared without overthinking everything.
✅ Use it as a guide, tweak it to fit your school’s needs, and get that back-to-school momentum rolling.
3) Get a head start on lesson planning
Back-to-school planning doesn’t have to be a major project. You don’t have to map out the entire year—just dip your toe in.
Even thinking through the first week helps. What will you teach? How will you break the ice? When will you introduce routines?
Those first few days are often heavy on rules and procedures, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. TpT is packed with print-and-go lessons, games, and activities that keep things light while still laying a strong foundation.
I’m a fan of simple, low-prep ideas that make students feel welcome and give me a few minutes to breathe. Things like:
- All About Me pennants
- Back-to-school word searches
- Classroom expectations posters
- Community-building games
Tip: Start a Pinterest board just for “Back to School.” Save everything that catches your eye. Want to narrow it down? Try searches like “Back to School for 3rd Grade” or “Back to School Math Centers.”
Before you know it, you’ll have a go-to stash of ideas to revisit year after year.
4) Start Dreaming Up Your Classroom Decor
Let’s talk decor—bulletin boards, wall displays, even door decorations. Pinterest is a goldmine, but if you’re not careful, it can send you down a rabbit hole of indecision.
That’s why I suggest this: start with a vibe.
Choose a couple of colors or a general theme, then build from there.
Keep it simple at first—you can always layer in more later. And yes, you absolutely deserve a space that feels both functional and fun to walk into every day.
📌 Pro tip: Start a Pinterest board just for classroom decor. Pin anything that catches your eye—even if it feels a little “extra.” You can always scale it back later.
Bulletin Board Planning
Ask yourself a few quick questions:
- Are you reusing last year’s setup or going for a new look?
- Do you need anchor charts? Posters? Subject-specific displays?
- Will you keep your boards seasonal or static year-round?
Making these decisions early means no last-minute poster-printing panic the night before school starts or parents’ night.
Need digital versions? You can turn printable anchor charts into digital versions with a quick photo or by using the tips in this guide to converting PDFs.
And if you want to get a head start, here are some crowd-favorite resources from my Teachers Pay Teachers store:
🎯 Quick tip: Add your favorites to your TpT wishlist or pin them to your decor board. When it’s sale time (or when inspiration strikes), you’ll know exactly what to grab.
5) Rest and Recharge (No Guilt Allowed)
Some days, you just need to shut off your teacher-brain—and that’s not just okay, it’s necessary.
This is your time to breathe, and we all recharge differently.
Some teachers unwind by scrolling through Pinterest or diving into teacher books. Others? The sight of a perfectly curated classroom on Instagram sends them straight into panic mode. (Been there. Who are these magical unicorn teachers with spotless rooms and themed everything?)
If the idea of planning anything right now makes your eye twitch, that’s your cue: turn on Netflix, not your teacher planner.
My go-to comfort shows? The Office and Schitt’s Creek. I’ve watched them more times than I can count. The familiarity hits like a warm hug—and bonus: zero educational content required.
If you’re battling the Sunday Scaries just thinking about next school year, it’s a sign. Be kind to yourself. You don’t need to have it all figured out right now.
Give yourself permission to recharge—without guilt or pressure. What advice would you give your best teacher-friend? Now give that same grace to yourself.
Spend time with people who make you laugh. Snuggle up with your pets. Eat the snack. Take the nap. Your classroom will still be there when you’re ready.
Because, when the time comes—you will be ready.
Wishing you a smooth start, a strong coffee, and the kind of year that reminds you why you chose this amazing profession in the first place.
We’re in it together. Virtual high five! ✋
Looking for MORE Back-to-School Tips?
📝 CLICK HERE to read Back to School Tips That Every Teacher Needs.
📌 Found this helpful?
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Written by Jules Rhee; Published June 2018; Updated June 2025.
