Summer Prep for Teachers: Get Ahead of the Upcoming School Year
By PD Classes Online
Summer break is a well-deserved time to relax and recharge—but it can also be a powerful season of preparation. With just a little intention, teachers can use the summer months to get organized, stay current on instructional strategies, and return to school feeling refreshed and ready.
This guide outlines five practical and impactful strategies for summer prep for teachers. Plus, we’ll highlight how you can take advantage of online PD courses from PDClassesOnline.com to make the most of your time and earn professional development hours while you’re at it.
1 - Reflect on Last Year & Set Goals
Before moving forward, take a moment to look back.
Analyze Student Data & Self-Reflect
Review assessment data, classroom management logs, and student feedback from last year. What worked well? Where were the biggest challenges?
Define 3–5 Actionable Goals
Set a few clear goals for the upcoming school year. These might include improving classroom routines, integrating more student voice, or using more formative assessments.
2 - Update Curriculum & Instructional Plans
Summer is the perfect time to refresh your lesson plans and rethink pacing guides.
Incorporate Fresh Topics and Tech Tool
Update your curriculum with timely themes, diverse perspectives, or new educational technologies. Try integrating AI writing tools or student-paced learning apps.
Plan Formative Assessments
Map out key checkpoints throughout the year to better track student understanding. This prevents surprises at grading time and supports targeted instruction.
3 - Take PD Courses to Up Your Game
Professional development doesn’t have to be boring—or in-person. Summer is an ideal time to build skills at your own pace and earn credits that benefit your career.
Explore Flexible Summer PD Options
Choose from high-impact topics like:
Earn PD Credits
PDClassesOnline.com offers fully online courses that can be completed in your own time. Most courses include printable resources and certificates you can submit to your district.
🎓 Start earning credit while building real, usable skills—perfect for summer downtime!
4 - Organize Your Classroom & Resources
Use your break to get your classroom systems and materials in order.
Tidy Your Digital Files
Clean up your Google Drive, LMS folders, and assessment trackers. Organize units, student samples, and instructional videos by topic or quarter.
Plan Your Physical Classroom Setup
Whether you're in your same room or a new space, sketch out a flexible layout that supports movement and engagement. Think about storage, display space, and classroom flow.
📦 Looking for ways to streamline routines and get things organized? Our “Google Drive for Educators” course is a great place to start!
5 - Build Community & Collaboration
The best teaching often comes from shared ideas. Use summer to connect with others in the profession.
Join a Network or Forum
Sign up for educator communities on platforms like Edutopia, Twitter/X, or Facebook. Ask questions, swap ideas, and learn what’s working elsewhere.
Plan Collaborative Projects
If you work on a grade team, summer is a good time to sync calendars or brainstorm shared lessons across subject areas.
🤝 Our PD programs often include discussion boards and peer communities so you can build long-term educator connections.
Final Thoughts
Your summer doesn’t have to be packed, but it can be purposeful. Whether you're revamping your curriculum, earning PD credits, or simply organizing your materials, each small step now can make a big difference in August.
📚 Want to hit the ground running this fall? Explore our wide range of online PD courses and earn credits while preparing for your best school year yet.
🔗 Browse all courses now →