Preparing for Summer : Tips for Special Education Teachers
Summer break is just around the corner! But before you can kick back and enjoy a well-deserved rest, there’s a long checklist to tackle.
As special education teachers, we’re juggling more than just final grades. We’re closing out IEPs, updating data, prepping for ESY, organizing materials, and supporting student transitions into the adult world. To be honest, it can feel completely overwhelming!
But with some thoughtful planning, reflection, and systems in place, you can wrap up the school year strong. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for summer smoothly and with a little less stress!
Wrapping Up the School Year
As the school year comes to an end, it’s time to focus on things like paperwork, student progress, and planning for what’s next. Getting organized now will make things easier for both you and your students later on.
End-of-Year Paperwork and Progress Reports
If there’s one thing special educators are pros at, it’s paperwork. From IEPs to FBAs, BIPs, and re-evaluations, we’re constantly documenting information that supports our students and communicates with future teams.
At the end of the year, paperwork can pile up fast, but staying organized now will save you a lot of stress later on.
Before you start packing up your classroom, double-check that everything is finalized and accurate. This includes IEPs that need summer or early fall updates, clear documentation of extended school year (ESY) services, and any changes that families should be aware of.
If there are any last-minute meetings or decisions—like student transfers or new placements—try to handle them thoughtfully while you still can.
To keep everything on track, you can also make a master checklist of your students and the key tasks for each—things like IEP updates, progress reports, Medicaid notes, family communication, and data entry. Color-coding or a basic spreadsheet makes it easier to see what’s done and what still needs attention.
Pro Tip: I like to write students’ names or initials on a whiteboard and erase them as I complete their paperwork. It’s satisfying and helps me stay on track!
Additionally, don’t forget to update your data collection sheets and finalize any curriculum inventories you’ve been using.
Organizing Materials
If you’ve ever unpacked a random bin in August labeled “MISC,” you know the pain of not labeling things properly.
Well, packing up your room doesn’t have to be stressful. Trust me: future-you will thank present-you for staying organized now.
So, what can you do? Some easy strategies are
- Clearly label bins with what’s inside and whether they’re for next year, storage, or ESY.
- Digitize anything you can, especially visuals and worksheets, and organize them in Drive folders.
- If you know what you’re teaching next year, set aside materials you’ll reuse.
- Pack by theme or group like items together (back-to-school, spring, life skills manipulatives, etc.)
- Label every box!
Supporting Student Transitions
Transitions can be hard for our students, but they’re a part of the school year’s closing.
Whether students are moving up a grade, switching classrooms, or graduating, change can be tough. That’s why it’s important to help students (and even your staff) prepare for what’s coming next.
You can start by talking about changes through social stories, countdown activities, and memory books. Then, prepare a simple “transition-at-a-glance” sheet for each student that outlines their strengths, key strategies, and support needs. Even the next teacher will thank you for these one-pagers!
Preparing for ESY
If you have students attending extended school year (ESY) or you’re teaching it yourself, don’t wait until the last minute to prepare the materials and handouts. Some thoughtful planning now can make summer learning smoother.
What to Save or Prep
Not every student attends ESY, but for those who do, a little prep can make a big impact.
Gather any visuals, AAC tools, or behavior plans that will be useful this summer. You can also create easy-to-use data sheets or skill checklists based on your students’ current goals.
If possible, put together a folder or binder for each student that includes relevant information (like goals, strategies, and contact info) so the ESY teacher or staff can pick up right where you left off.
If You’re Teaching ESY
ESY doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect. Keep it simple, functional, and flexible. ESY is designed to maintain skills, not dive into a full curriculum.
Focus on low-prep, high-impact ESY activities—things like life skills games, adapted task boxes, and themed weeks. Keep expectations consistent, but energy levels realistic. Remember that both you and your students are adjusting to a new routine, so there’s no need to overcomplicate things.
Need more help? Check out my blog post about ESY planning!
Collaborate with ESY Staff
Even if you’re not teaching ESY, you can still help your student by sharing important information with the ESY team.
Just make quick one-pagers for each student: include what motivates them, what supports they need, and other important communication or behavior tips.
If you can, send a short email or chat with the ESY teacher to walk them through the info!
Making The Last Week Fun for Students
The final days of school can feel chaotic, but they’re also a great time for reflection and creativity.
One of my favorite end-of-year activities is a student reflection and summer vision board. Students think about what they learned this year and what they’re excited to do over summer break. We talk about their hopes, goals, and ideas, and then they create a collage or drawing filled with summer dreams.
How to Make It Accessible:
- Offer differentiated versions with visual choices.
- Use wide-spaced writing lines.
- Give multiple ways to participate.
This is a low-stress, high-impact activity that wraps up your year in a positive, creative way.
Helping Families Plan for Summer
Saying goodbye doesn’t mean we stop supporting our students. Many families look to us for ideas to keep their child learning and growing during summer break.
Before school ends, take time to reach out to families and share some suggestions for summer support.
Here are a few easy resources you can share:
- Simple daily schedule with checklists or visuals
- A list of local events, summer camps, or library programs
- Printable activities like coloring pages or easy reading passages
- Links to education websites
- A list of life skills tasks they can teach at home
Most families appreciate ideas that don’t require tons of prep or supplies—bonus points if you give them everything in a ready-to-go packet!
Teacher Self-Care & Professional Prep
You’ve almost made it through the year—and that’s worth celebrating! Before you rush into planning for next year, take a moment to pause, reflect, and reset.
Reflecting on the Year
Reflection isn’t just for students. Take a few minutes to think about what worked this year and what you’d like to change going forward.
Try making a simple list or chart:
- What routines, centers, or visuals were super effective?
- What flopped (even if you had high hopes)?
- What classroom systems or communication strategies would you like to try next year?
- What new ideas did you discover but didn’t have the time to implement?
This simple reflection will help guide your future planning.
Organizing Files & Documents
Your digital space deserves some attention, too. A quick clean-up now can save hours of digging when it’s time to go back to school.
Back up important documents (IEP, student notes, data sheets) to Google Drive or a secure external folder, and rename your documents so they’re easier to find next year. Plus, you can delete anything outdated that you know you won’t use again.
If you keep a caseload binder or system, take 15 minutes to tidy it up and prep dividers for next year. That way, it’s one less thing to do!
Appreciating Your Staff
Your team has been there through it all—meltdowns, lesson wins, field trips, and behavior plans. Take time to say thank you.
A small token of appreciation—like a handwritten note, a fun notepad, or a dollar store treat—can mean a lot. I keep a bin of gift items I find on sale throughout the year and refer to my team’s “staff favorites” survey when I want to give a little something special.
Planning a Summer Break
Yes, you’re allowed to take a break. In fact, you need to!
If you enjoy professional development, consider a low-pressure, self-paced course that inspires you rather than drains you.
If you just want to rest, go ahead! Schedule time for a vacation, your hobbies, and maybe even nothing at all.
Lastly, set boundaries around schoolwork and emails. You are allowed to enjoy your summer without guilt.
You’ve Got This!
The end of the school year can feel like a whirlwind, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
With a little planning, a few intentional systems, and some well-deserved self-care, you’ll set yourself—and your students—up for a successful wrap-up and a smoother transition into summer.
