#193: Good Teachers Don’t Wait Until Their Classroom Is Completely Set Up to Enjoy Their Summer

What if spending your entire summer in your classroom isn't what makes you a great teacher?

For years, I believed that the best teachers sacrificed their summers to prepare for back to school. Then everything changed.

During my first year in a new district, I didn't spend months setting up my classroom. Instead, I traveled to Cancun, visited a lake cabin in Idaho, and actually enjoyed my summer. I only spent two weeks preparing my classroom—and when school started, I realized something surprising:

I wasn't behind.

In this episode, we're challenging one of the biggest lies teachers have been told: that working all summer is a badge of honor.

We'll redefine what actually makes a great teacher, explore why rest benefits both you and your students, and introduce a different approach to classroom setup—one that helps you work less while creating an incredible classroom.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

Why working all summer doesn't determine your worth as a teacher

What truly makes someone a great educator

How rest makes you more patient, creative, and effective

Why your students benefit when you enjoy your summer

The Poolside Teacher approach to classroom setup