Ah, July.

That magical midpoint in the rollercoaster we call “summer break.” For teachers, it’s a weird, wonderful month. One part recovery, one part denial, one part wondering what kind of “summer mom” are you going to be, one part creeping sense of responsibility that keeps whispering, “You should probably open that email.”

But for now… let’s just sit in July. Because if June is the deep exhale, July is the moment you remember who you are outside of lesson plans, locker drama, and 43 8th graders asking, “Can we have a free day?”

You take off your teacher hat for awhile…and for some of us…put on that full-time mom hat and scramble to figure out what camps you actually signed up for at midnight in February.

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It Takes a While to Come Back to Life

The first few weeks of break? Let’s be honest—they’re about survival. You sleep, maybe. You eat lunch at a normal pace, perhaps. You remember what silence sounds like. Your eye stops twitching.

Then comes July, and you finally feel human again. Summer camps are in full swing.

You start doing things like reading for pleasure. You sit outside and don’t mentally take attendance. You go to Target and don’t instinctively check the back-to-school section (yet). It’s freedom (until 12:00 or 3:00 anyway). It’s weird. And it’s glorious.

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The Calendar Is a Liar

Every day, July whispers, “You still have time.”

And you believe it… until you don’t.

Somewhere around July 15, your brain clicks into a subtle panic. You notice the ads—crayons and lunchboxes creeping into commercials. Someone on your team group chat sends a “Hey! Just checking in!” text, and you scream internally.

You suddenly feel like you’re in a slow-motion race with August. You want to savor it all—but also prep. But also rest. But also get new bulletin board borders. It’s a tug-of-war only teachers understand.

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The Teacher Dreams Return

Just when you’ve forgotten what it’s like to confiscate slime or explain the difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re” for the 847th time… the dreams begin.

You’re standing in front of a class with no roster. You forgot to make copies. The SmartBoard won’t turn on. One kid won’t stop spinning in his chair. You wake up in a sweat, and for a brief second, you’re back in Room 253… until you realize you’re safe. Still July.

You go back to sleep, but the countdown has begun.

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You Start to Miss It (Just a Little)

Here’s the thing no one tells you: You start missing it.

The noise. The chaos. The inside jokes. The “a-ha” moments. The kid who finally brought a pencil. The sticky notes that say, “You’re my favorite teacher.”

By late July, you remember that—while teaching middle school is exhausting, ridiculous, and borderline bonkers—it’s also kind of amazing. And despite the stress and the meetings and the preteens with zero filter, you’re really good at it.

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So What’s July to a Middle School Teacher?

It’s slow mornings and iced coffee.
It’s finally finishing that book.
It’s ignoring the school supply aisle just one more time.
It’s breathing, healing, and gently preparing for the next wild ride.

It’s the Sunday of summer. And we’re going to soak up every last second.