Congratulations, school SLPs - you have survived and succeeded through another school year! Don’t forget to take a few moments to savor this accomplishment.
Embrace the silence after a year of verbal cueing, and reflect on all you achieved. Celebrate the successes, and finally catch up on all the things you set aside while keeping up with IEP paperwork and Medicaid forms. You are free!
If you are teaching summer school, there’s no need to fret. Summer learning is supposed to be fun for the kids, so keep that in mind for yourself as well. Unique Learning System offers free summer resources that can be adapted for many students. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of these materials to minimize prep work, or stick with your favorite tried-and-true therapy activities to keep things light and enjoyable.
Summer can be a wonderful time to rejuvenate and reflect on your practices, but make sure to take some time for yourself first. Take a walk, go for a swim, meet up with friends who don’t work in the school system, or spend an entire day relaxing at home with your family in your pajamas.
If inspiration strikes, keep a journal of ideas that come to you during the summer. Plan three to five therapy activities for next year. Browse Pinterest leisurely, enjoying the fact that you do not have to rush. Visit the library for fun and allow yourself to be inspired. Create one resource just for yourself. I’m planning to finish writing a goal bank - something I started during the school year but never had time to complete.
Take time to reflect. What worked this year, and what didn’t? Don’t be afraid to identify one thing to stop doing. SLPs carry a tremendous amount on their plates, and sometimes letting go of something allows us to accomplish even more. Reminisce about the moments that brought you joy, and think about ways to incorporate more of them next year.
Most importantly, celebrate your accomplishments and remember why you became an SLP in the first place. We get so busy that sometimes we forget. You chose this profession to make a difference - and you have!
Author: Lisa Naughton, SLPD, CCC-SLP