Preparing for Next School Year

Setting Goals for Your Classroom

Whether you're lounging poolside or catching up on your reading list, summer is also a great time to start thinking ahead—just a little. With some light planning now, you can enter the new school year feeling refreshed and ready.

Maybe you’re hoping to fine-tune your classroom management, boost student engagement, or explore new tech tools. Here are some simple strategies to help you set meaningful goals and feel prepared when school starts again.

1. Reflect on Last Year

Before you shift fully into “next year” mode, take a moment to think about what worked and what didn’t.

• What lessons or routines made things smoother?

• Where did students seem most engaged?

• What challenges kept popping up?

Jotting down even a few notes now can give you a clearer starting point when you return to planning.

2. Set Clear, Realistic Goals

Use your reflections to create goals that are specific and actionable. A few examples:

• Introduce a new classroom routine to support transitions

• Incorporate more student voice through weekly feedback

• Try one new digital tool per quarter

Pick one or two to focus on, and you’ll set yourself up for success without overwhelm.

3. Organize Your Curriculum Early (Just a Little!)

If inspiration strikes, sketch out a rough pacing guide or refresh one unit with updated materials or strategies. You don’t need to plan every detail—just make notes that will help your future self in August.

4. Prep Materials at Your Own Pace

Summer is a great time to slowly tackle the small stuff:

• Organize digital files

• Update classroom labels or bulletin board materials

• Print first-week activities or handouts

A few light prep sessions now can make those busy back-to-school weeks feel much easier.

5. Think About Tech (Without the Pressure)

Curious about trying a new tool? Explore it casually now, without the pressure of the school day. Watch a short tutorial, browse educator forums, or play around with a free version to see if it’s a good fit.

Helpful (and Free!) Tools for Summer Planning

To make the most of your summer goal-setting and classroom prep, here are a few free tools to explore:

✅ Goal Setting & Reflection

• Canva for Education – Design classroom visuals, goal trackers, and vision boards.

• Google Keep – Capture ideas, make checklists, and stay organized across devices.
  

📦 Classroom Organization

• Trello – Use boards and cards to plan classroom routines, materials, and more.

• Notion – Create a flexible workspace for all your notes, resources, and planning tools.
  

🎓 Professional Development & Inspiration

• Edutopia – Articles and strategies for improving your practice.

• SimpleK12 – Free webinars on everything from SEL to tech integration.

Try one or two of these tools over the summer—you might just find a new favorite before school starts!

You don’t need to plan your entire year in July—but planting a few seeds now can help you return with focus and energy. When you’re ready to dive back in, you’ll be glad you gave it a head start.