EP 163 Should you be planning this summer?

Welcome educators! Before we get started, I want to share the amazing resources I have available.

To learn more and download some engaging resources, go to myadventuresinesl.com/store.

To all the amazing ESL teachers—thank you for the heart, dedication, and patience you bring into your classrooms every single day. You do so much more than teach English—you empower students to express themselves, connect with others, and build a future full of possibilities. Your work is life-changing, and the impact you make reaches far beyond the school year.

As summer approaches, I hope you take the time to rest, recharge, and celebrate all the progress your students made because of YOU. You’ve earned every bit of your break—enjoy it; you deserve this more than you know! 💛🌞📚

The goal of today’s episode is to provide you with tips on how you can effectively plan for the upcoming school year during the summer.

Let me tell you about a few summers ago when I decided not to think about school at all. I shut the laptop, packed away my teacher backpack, and just focused on relaxing—and honestly, it felt amazing… until August hit. On top of that, I decided to work four weeks out of the summer.

Suddenly, the school year was right around the corner, and I hadn’t planned a single thing. That experience taught me a lesson: total relaxation is great, but a little prep during the summer can go a long way. This year, I am taking a different approach. I am planning for the school year for 45 minutes on Monday through Thursday. My goal is that by the time August arrives, I will have everything I need to be successful in the first nine weeks of the school year.
If you have ever spent the summer relaxing, then when August comes, you don’t feel completely prepared; you are not alone.

“Have you ever started the school year feeling behind before the first bell even rings?”

During the summer, we have more mental capacity to plan since we are not obligated to other activities. Summer is the perfect time to gain clarity and explore your creativity with your lessons. It is also a time when you can plan more intentionally. This is one of my top reasons I like a bit of summer planning because it allows me to plan intentionally and brainstorm ideas for my students. 

Rest during the summer should be your top priority. You can spend a little bit of time planning during the summer, which can set you up for a much smoother school year. Imagine starting the year already having a few weeks of lessons ready to go, knowing your vocabulary cards are prepped, and having a clear structure for your ESL routines. This peace of mind is easy to achieve and, more importantly, priceless. 

The beauty of summer planning is that you are the one who decides when you plan and for how long. You get to plan on your terms —in your favorite coffee shop, at the kitchen table, even on your patio with a sweet tea.  

The simple truth is that planning a little now will save you so much time later. By getting ahead during the summer—even in short, manageable chunks—you’re giving your future self a huge gift.

Decide on What You Want to Plan for During the Summer

Reflecting on your previous year and thinking about the upcoming year, decide on some focus areas you want to plan for the upcoming school year. This could include planning out your classroom management plan or planning the first six weeks of the school year. 

Plan in Small Chunks

Decide on 1-2 days a week where you dedicate 30-60 minutes of planning. Set a timer where you are dedicated to your planning session. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a 30-minute session.

Before we jump back in, I want to take a quick moment to tell you about something that can truly change your summer planning game…

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do first, how to get organized, or how to confidently walk into the school year with a plan, you are not alone. That’s exactly why I created The ESL Teacher Master Plan.

This self-paced course walks you step-by-step through how to plan and prepare for the upcoming school year as an ESL teacher. From setting up your classroom systems to creating lessons that work across language levels, it’s all in there—broken down into simple, actionable steps.

So if you’re ready to feel calm, clear, and excited to start the year, head to My Adventures in ESL to check out The ESL Teacher Master Plan Wait List. I’d love to support you this summer!

Alright—let’s get back into it.

Create Templates for Lessons & Activities

This is such a time-saver in the school year. Creating templates for lessons and activities will help streamline your planning. I love doing this for my close read lessons and vocabulary stations. I have templates where I simply plug in the areas, and it saves me so much time. 

Here are your next steps:

• Join the ESL Master Plan Wait List at
• Reflect on the Year 
• Create a schedule for the summer where you dedicate 30-60 minutes to plan for the upcoming school year. 
• Follow through on that plan.

Thank you so much for dropping by!