Reframing the Education Mindset Through Rest

From the end of May to June, international and private overseas schools wind down. Educators finalize the end of year required check off lists turned into supervisors and prepare for holiday. Yet some educators end up with only one to two weeks of break—just enough time to reset before the start of summer school. Others not only wrap up end-of-year tasks but also begin packing and preparing to move to a new school. As a result, many have little time to pause for a reset or for a proper holiday. 

Every educator deserves a holiday, Educators are, by nature and necessity, steadfast: we show up every day, ready to nurture, inspire, and guide. Yet, beneath the surface of this noble constancy, there lies a truth that is often overlooked teachers, principals, aides, and support personnel also, need pauses.  

 Taking a holiday or vacation is not merely a luxury; it is a necessity that gives your brain a chance to reset. Holidays reduce mental fatigue, improve focus, and boost creativity. Holidays pull people out of autopilot. The most beneficial holidays are when I step into nature. Being in nature—be it camping, hiking, picnicking in a park, walking through botanical gardens, visiting museum grounds, strolling along a forest trail, kayaking on a quiet lake, or simply sitting on a beach—reconnects you with your senses, surroundings, and self. 

When we step out of our usual routines and into the expansive terrain of time off, we are afforded space to reflect, dream, and rediscover ourselves. Whether it is traveling to a new place, reading a book for pleasure (not for a lesson), or simply enjoying morning coffee without the pressure of a ticking clock, breaks allow us to reconnect with our passions—both inside and outside the classroom.

Rediscovering Myself 

At the end of the pandemic, I decided to take an extended amount of time off to detox from 12- 18-hour online workday as a head a school. This pace and workload took a toll not only on my intellectual capacity but also on my physical and emotional health. Letting go of the constant expectation to be a role model, mediator, cheerleader, and counselor—often all in a single day—was necessary. I had to disconnect completely from social media and all forms of communication to begin recovering. 

My pause started with a small camping trip to a small remote island in the northern Maine. It was based right on the Atlantic Ocean and was surrounded with nature and wilderness. The island had no Wi-Fi, no electricity, but had bathrooms, showers and fresh water. It took me a full day of having no purposeful activity other than just sitting or reading for pleasure for me to relax. After the second day, smells of the forest and ocean air awakened my sense. The sound on the waves splashing against the rocks, the evergreens creaking and moaning their stories from the wind, birds calling out to one another and chattering about their lives in the tress. At some point my mind began to stop cataloging and organizing information on all the projects that needed to be started. The four days spent at the campground allowed me to pause my mind and rediscover nature, just being present and letting my true self come back to me.  

The camping trip brought back my childhood memories of living in Central America and spending summers in remote regions with my family. My parents were DoDEA – Department of Defense Education Activity teachers. The education branch under the DoD responsible for operating K-12 schools for military-connected children. During our summer breaks we never attended summer school camps. Our parents brought us to different countries throughout Central America. Our parents purposefully wandered through uncharted pueblos deepening our understanding of culture and language. In these small towns, language was lived. We picked up vocabulary at corner markets, practiced verbs through laughter with street vendors, and refined our listening by speaking with elders under shaded plazas. Beyond language learning, we immersed ourselves into the local food, traditions, and daily lifestyle of the local people that no summer camp could offer. These summer family excursions allowed me to connect authentically and humbly with people far beyond the familiar not just for formal schooling, but for the freedom to dream, be inspired and rediscover the world around us. 

During these summer vacations, I perfected my second language skills. This allowed for me to communicate with locals and differentiate between regional dialects. Those summers spent traveling led me back to my language classes with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in my speaking abilities. Life came full circle—many of my best experiences were through unfamiliar pueblos, on remote mountainside villages, rural sandy beaches, or from quiet walks throughout the dense tropical forest in Central America. 

The Ripple Effect 

A holiday is not merely the absence of work; it is the presence of possibility. When we step out of our usual routines and into the expansive terrain of time off, we are afforded space to reflect, dream, and rediscover what first drew us to our passion of education. Taking a holiday is not a solitary act, its benefits ripple outwards. When one's mind is unburdened by the weight of constant responsibility or demands, the mind becomes fertile ground for creativity. Educators return refreshed, and students notice the shift—patience has deepened, enthusiasm is contagious, and the classroom fills with renewed energy. Family members sense a lighter mood from you at home and when you return from work. Most importantly, you feel rested, and for the first time in a while, genuinely do not feel burn out or mentally drained.  

Practical Tips for Pausing 

Here are a few strategies for Educators who wish to take a holiday and return with a sense of renewal: 

• Plan your budget: Be it staycation or full-on holiday away from home. 

• Set boundaries: Resist the urge to check emails or work during your holiday. Give yourself permission to truly disconnect. Disconnect: Ensure that you put down all social media and school communication. Set your email to share your status of being on vacation. 

• Let go of Perfection: You will return with a refreshed eye! 

• Plan or try activities that bring pleasure: Busy hands pause the mind. 

The Courage to Pause 

To teach and lead is to give, again and again. But to sustain this giving, to keep the flame of passion and creativity alive, Educators must also learn the courage to pause. A holiday is not an interruption; it is a vital part of the rhythm of a life well lived. In taking time away, teachers honor not only their own humanity but also the sacred trust placed in them by those they teach. After all, the best lessons are learned not just in the classroom, but in the art of living fully—rest, renewal, and revitalized. International Educational Consultants and their staff will be on holiday till August 1, 2025. We look forward to returning with fresh eyes and renewed energy. Take the courage to pause and holiday!