Summer break may be the most beloved time of year for students, and a welcome breather for teachers, but for school administrators, it’s business as usual… well, without all the students and teachers around the schools.
Here is a list of tasks and goals that will help all school administrators stay on track for a successful and productive summer.
1. Assess and Reflect
It’s imperative that you take a fair and honest look at the past school year. What’s working and not working? Is it time time try new tactics and new companies and products to help your educators. With your added time during the summer, seek out new avenues to better assist your teachers and engage your students.
2. Attend Summer Conferences
Many states hold summer conferences for school administrators. Make sure you attend and absorb all the new information. You never know what you’ll hear that can help you and your school.
3. Debrief from Summer Conferences
Sometimes it’s easy to return from a conference and not really absorb and reflect on all the information you heard. Make sure to cut time out right after the conference to do just that.
4. Finalize School Personnel
Things can always change at the last minute, but plan on taking care of any personnel changes in your school as soon as the budget is finalized. Securing new teachers, aids, and staff at the beginning of summer will make all final preparations for the Fall run much smoother.
5. Stay in Contact
Make sure you are in contact with department chairs and other principals. There’s a lot of teamwork needed amongst administrators and summer is the perfect time to make sure you are all on the same page. Regular weekly meetings (lunch meetings are always welcome) can be a great way to keep up-to-date on everyone’s needs.
6. Relax and Breathe
Don’t forget this last step. You may not have the 8 weeks off like your students and teachers, but you do have the chance to recharge. Take advantage of the lightened workload and make sure you are caring for yourself. The next school year is right around the corner… Get ready!