Counselors, educators, and those who work in schools are notorious for filling every moment with productivity. As professionals whose to-do lists nearly always far exceed the time available to complete them, they are continually driven to use all their time to find ways to support students and families, often at the cost of their own wellbeing. 

Transitioning to the slower pace of summer–though likely a welcome change–can be jarring. It can be challenging to pause the reflexive worrying about specific students, thinking about how to improve processes, or finding ways to innovate during the next school year. Because of this volume and intensity, professional burnout is a real risk. Summer offers a critical opportunity not just for rest, but for restoration. This time provides a chance to step back, reset priorities, and reconnect with the deeper purpose behind the work. 

Use the suggestions below for resources to find inspiration, quiet moments for individual insights, or learning that is personally fulfilling. The resources vary in format, focus, and modality and include podcasts, books, and activities. Creating opportunities for renewal and reflection during these months can help ensure that you return to school in the fall with restored energy, a clear sense of purpose, and the capacity to support the students to whom you mean so much. 

Podcasts that Provide Fresh Perspectives from the Field 

Whether taking a walk, sitting by the pool, or getting things done around the house, listening to podcasts can be a great way to hear from other practitioners and experts in the field. This curated list of recommendations offer fresh perspectives, practical strategies, and some reminders about why the work you do is so important. 

• School Counseling Simplified: (adapted from Spotify) This podcast delivers practical, easy-to-use strategies tailored for busy school counselors. Host Rachel Davis of Bright Futures Counseling shares helpful tips and insights drawn from her experience as a school counselor in both the U.S. and an international school in Costa Rica.

• High School Counseling Conversations: (adapted from Spotify) High School Counseling Conversations® is a podcast designed to inspire and strengthen your counseling program while rekindling your passion for the work. It offers practical, confidence-boosting ideas you can apply right away—plus a bit of fun to keep things light.

• Counselor Accents: (adapted from Spotify) This is a podcast by school counselors, for school counselors. The hosts share practical advice, SEL strategies, and tech tools to strengthen your counseling program—all delivered with passion, experience, and a touch of Southern charm.

• Global Career Tech Education Podcast: (adapted from Spotify) This podcast aims to uplift and support the career and technical education (CTE) community. Hosts interview standout CTE directors, educators, and innovators to share effective practices and fresh insights. They also feature industry professionals who provide real-world perspectives to help better prepare CTE students for success in today’s global workforce.

• Henrico CTE Now: (adapted from Spotify) This podcast highlights the importance and impact of career and technical education for every student. Hosts interview students, business professionals, and community leaders who share their career paths and offer advice on how young people can prepare for life after high school—whether in the workforce or continuing their education.

Books to Inspire and Reframe Approaches

The hectic nature of the school year often makes reading books, especially those in the professional learning domain, difficult. Summer offers the flexibility of time to dive into books that expand your thinking or help to reconnect with your purpose, stay current with best practices, or dive deep into an educational passion project. These titles offer fresh approaches to student engagement, thoughtful reflections on practice, and stories that affirm the impact of your work. 

• Evolving Education by Dr. Katie Martin: (adapted from Amazon) In this book, Martin advocates for a learner-centered approach that emphasizes personalized, real-world, and competency-based learning. She explores how educators can use technology, learning science, and innovative practices to help students develop the skills to grow, problem-solve, and learn independently.

• Balance Like a  Pirate by Jessican Cabeen, Jessica Johnson and Sarah Johnson: (adapted from Amazon) In today’s nonstop world, the demands of being an educator can quickly lead to burnout. Balance Like a Pirate offers a path out—written by educators, it provides practical tools to help readers let go of constant obligations and build a more balanced, fulfilling life.

• I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids by Kyle Schwartz: (adapted from Amazon) When a third-grade teacher asked her students to complete the sentence, “I wish my teacher knew ___,” their honest and emotional responses revealed the deep challenges many faced. The experience highlighted the importance of understanding students’ lives to build safe, supportive classrooms. After sharing it online, #IWishMyTeacherKnew went viral. Schwartz’s book shares this journey, student stories, and guidance for educators and families seeking deeper connections.

• Motivating Students Who Don’t Care: Proven Strategies to Engage All Students by Allen Mendler: (adapted from Amazon) In this updated edition, Allen Mendler shares proven and new strategies to help educators re-engage even the most unmotivated students. The book offers practical ways to weave social-emotional learning into daily lessons, use technology to support learning, and ease student anxiety in today’s dynamic educational landscape.

Activities and Ideas to Disconnect

While summer can be a time to reflect and grow, it is equally important to give yourself permission to completely disconnect from professional learning. Stepping away from work-related content allows your mind and body to rest, which is essential for long-term professional sustainability. Whether tapping into your creativity, spending time outdoors, or simply embracing unstructured moments of joy, these seemingly “unproductive” activities are actually some of the most powerful ways to recharge. Use the list below to explore ways to truly unplug—and give yourself the reset you have earned.

• Do Something Creative: Creative outlets can be some of the most restorative activities as they allow you to truly quiet your mind and involve no pressure or expectations for outcomes. These activities provide a powerful counterbalance to the structured, high pressure nature of professional life. Consider learning a new hobby like knitting or photography or make time to paint, build with legos, or even unwind with a coloring book. These simple activities can help lower stress, spark inspiration, and leave you feeling more centered.

• Spend Time Outside: Nature has a calming effect that helps reduce stress and restore mental clarity. Even small amounts of time outside to enjoy the sunshine and breathe in fresh air can positively impact wellbeing. Take a walk through your neighborhood, go on a scenic hike, spend time by the pool, or plan a trip to the beach. Whether moving your body or simply being still, outdoor time offers a powerful invitation to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with yourself.

• Read a Book for Fun: Sometimes the best way to recharge is to escape into a story that has nothing to do with lesson plans, professional development, or student needs. Reading for pleasure without an agenda can be one of the most joyful and restorative summer distractions. Consider picking up a beach read like Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, a more character-driven story such as Like Mother, Like Mother by Susan Rieger, or dive into history with a new biography of Mark Twain by Ron Chernow. Read only with the intention of getting lost in the book! 

Setting aside the time to engage in these activities is often the hardest challenge for exhausted educators. Being intentional in setting aside days, hours, or even weeks to let the mind, body, and spirit wander, recreate, and grow is both professionally responsible and a necessary component of holistic self-care. Tis the season for restorative practices; enjoy!