Make This Summer Count: 4 Ways to Learn, Grow, and Avoid Teacher Burnout

Summer is a time to breathe, recharge, travel, and catch up on everything you didn’t have time for during the school year. For those who like to get ahead, it’s also a chance to dive into meaningful professional learning, sharpen your teaching skills, renew your license, or boost your earning potential. If you’re wondering if you can really enjoy your summer and keep learning without the teacher burnout, the answer is yes! 

Make summer professional learning inspiring, manageable, and most importantly, fun! 

1. Customize your learning to fit your summer.

Not all summers are created equal. Some art teachers are on full-time parent duty, while others work at summer school or art camps. Some summer breaks start in May and others not until the end of June. The same goes for any continuing education course. Some courses are in person at your local college or university and are geared toward either artists or teachers. Other options are 100% virtual with courses designed specifically for K-12 art teachers, like at The Art of Education University.

The key to enjoying your summer and your learning is to choose a course that complements your plans and situation, not complicates them. Dive into a medium or art material you’re excited about and that brings you joy. This will ensure learning stays energizing and inspirational instead of feeling like work.

Here are two courses perfect for a rejuvenating summer break:

1. Studio: Digital Illustration and Design
   If you are traveling this summer, this is a great course to take with you on the go. All you need is your computer or tablet, a few sheets of paper, and an opaque technical pen. Complete your design work while sipping your favorite iced coffee at a cute bakery or sketch away on a long flight.
2. Therapeutic Practices in Art Education
   Nurture yourself with a course that invites you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with your creative self. Through meaningful artmaking, you’ll nourish all aspects of your well-being and proactively guard against teacher burnout.

Whatever AOEU course you select, know that each course is built specifically with art teachers and summer life in mind! All coursework is flexible around your schedule and travel plans. Most instructors are current or former art teachers who understand the pace of summer. They welcome early communication about your needs and provide supportive policies for extensions or adjustments. The value you bring as both a professional and a person reflects in every course experience.

2. Stack habits to build momentum and artistic growth.

One of the easiest ways to integrate professional learning into your summer without feeling overwhelmed is through a simple strategy called habit stacking. Habit stacking involves taking a routine you already do consistently and adding a new habit alongside it. It’s a simple way to blend opportunities for growth into your routine without it feeling like another task on your list.

Here are some great options to habit stack your coursework into your summer plans:

• Do you already frequent a cafe each week?
  Review a discussion post while sipping your favorite drink.
• Do you already hike on the weekends?
  Sketch at a scenic overlook during your next excursion.
• Do you already go camping each month with friends?
  Paint by the campfire while everyone is chatting.
• Do you already take walks in the morning?
  Journal for 5-10 minutes before you head out the door.

3. Involve your family in your art coursework.

Whether you have a family of your own or you have friends who are like family, summer is family time. It’s a season to reconnect with loved ones, create memories, and slow down together. Enrolling in a graduate course doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice that quality time. In fact, with a little creativity, your professional learning can enhance your family’s experiences! One of the best ways to do this is to turn your coursework into a shared activity, like Francisco Hernandez’s Studio: Drawing work that features their child’s dinosaur obsession.

Here are some simple ways to turn coursework time into family time:

• Host a “bring your own art” night with friends.
• Respond to the same prompt with your kids using age-appropriate materials.
• Use family members or pets as subjects for your assignments.
• Turn date night into an art night.

4. Set yourself up for success by planning ahead.

If it’s too late to fit a course into your summer, use this time to plan ahead. Grab your favorite summer treat and sit down to dream big and plan small. Browse the course catalog and pick a couple of courses that spark your interest. Imagine where and when they could fit into your life. The goal isn’t to overcommit and feel teacher burnout. Instead, it’s to make space for progress that feels purposeful and doable, and give you something to look forward to!

Here are a few ways to get daydreaming:

• Try a Back-to-School course.
  Earn 1 credit in just three weeks! Plus, bring bite-sized, practical takeaways to your art room this fall.
• Get organized with Managing the Art Room.
  If you’re hoping to get you and your studio situated before the school year ramps up, this is a great option to help you think through systems, expectations, and classroom flow.
• Schedule an exploratory call with an admissions counselor.
  After a short chat, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of your options and a few personalized, actionable steps to move forward.

You don’t have to choose between rest and growth this summer—you can enjoy both! With the right approach, summer professional learning becomes a source of inspiration instead of stress. Choose a course that travels well, habit-stack your studies, or loop loved ones into quality-time artmaking. Whether you’re reviewing a discussion thread at your favorite coffee shop or having a needle felting date night, these experiences can energize your creative mindset while safeguarding against teacher burnout. Here’s to a summer that’s meaningful and joyful!

What’s your favorite AOEU course you’ve ever taken and why? 

Share a best tip for balancing rest and growth during the summer.

To chat about summer courses with other art teachers, join us in The Art of Ed Community!