Planning a vacation during the summer when you’re a teacher is one thing. It’s a completely different thing to take off during the school year.
Although most teachers would never dream of taking a vacation during the school year, there are many reasons to leave the classroom behind. You might be traveling to a teacher’s training, maybe you’re taking an extra day off for a weekend getaway, or you’re taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip that can only be taken while class is in session. No matter what the reason, you have to prepare yourself for success if you’re going to be away from home and the classroom.
Here are four tips that will help you get the most out of your trip.
Plan Ahead for Your Trip and Your Family
No matter what your reason for leaving, it’s important to plan ahead. If you’re leaving your family behind on a professional trip, prepare meals ahead of time and know how to send money to friends and family using Remitly.
Whether you’re traveling with your family or you’re traveling alone, you should have a rough plan of what you’ll be doing every day. That means knowing where you’re staying, check in and check out times, and what you want to do with your downtime.
Plan for the Substitute Who Will Be Covering Your Class
As a teacher, the most important part of traveling during the school year is planning for the substitute who will be covering for you while you’re gone. That means leaving good notes and directions, but it also means:
- Talking with your class about your expectations for their behavior while you’re gone
- Asking another teacher to check in and see how things are going throughout the day
- Planning easier activities and leaving more complex lessons for when you get back
Stay Connected While You’re Gone
If you’re going to be away from the classroom, it is important to stay connected since you can’t be there in person. Make sure your teaching team and administration knows how to get ahold of you while you’re gone. You can also consider giving your number to the substitute so they can call you in case of an emergency.
Checking your email is a pretty good idea too. That way you can respond to any important messages. Not to mention, it will help keep you informed of what’s going on while you’re away.
Take Time for You
You really shouldn’t work while you’re on vacation, but sometimes it can’t be helped, especially if you’re a teacher! However, you should still try and take some time for you.
If you’re traveling for work, find something you can do between meetings, like going for a walk. If you’re traveling for fun, check emails and do classroom planning in the morning, but spend your afternoons enjoying yourself.
Taking time off work when you’re a teacher is always nerve wracking! Make it less so and enjoy yourself as much as possible with these tips for traveling during the school year.