Recharging, rediscovering inspiration, and why time off isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
This Christmas, I spent my annual leave rowing a kayak through the Andaman Sea. Along the way, I met fishermen, travellers, and even a treasure hunter who, alongside his wife, dives for sunken treasure along old pirate routes. But as I paddled through those turquoise waters, I realised something profound: I wasn’t just travelling. I was reflecting, recharging, and finding inspiration—not just for myself, but for the teacher I aspire to be.
To me, teaching, at its heart, is about inspiration. It’s about showing children that the world is full of wonder and possibility. And the best way to teach that? By living it yourself. Teaching without awe is like swimming without water—it’s impossible.
Yet so often, teachers are questioned about their holidays. “Why do you need so much time off?” people ask, as if those breaks are an indulgence rather than a necessity. But anyone who has ever stood in front of a classroom knows the truth: teaching is exhausting. It’s relentless. And it’s one of the most emotionally, mentally, and physically demanding professions out there.
Holidays aren’t a luxury for teachers—they’re essential. Here’s why.
Teaching Is More Than a Job
Teachers don’t just show up, deliver lessons, and go home. They’re mentors, counsellors, cheerleaders, mediators, and motivators. Every day, they juggle the emotional needs of their students, manage classroom dynamics, and provide a constant source of stability and inspiration.
It’s a role that demands immense emotional energy. Add to that the hours spent marking, planning, attending meetings, and managing extra-curricular activities, and it’s clear that teaching isn’t a nine-to-five job. Holidays give teachers the time and space to recover, recharge, and reconnect with themselves.
Why Teachers Need to Travel
Holidays aren’t just about resting; they’re about growth. Travelling, exploring, and discovering the world is one of the most powerful ways teachers can fill their cups and come back to the classroom energised. Here are ten reasons why teachers should use their holidays to travel, not just to mark books or rearrange desks.
1. You need a break!
Teaching is tiring. It’s one of the most rewarding jobs, but it demands so much of your time and energy. To give your best next term, you need to rest and unwind.
2. See the world, bring it back.
Every journey gives you stories, ideas, and insights that can light up your lessons in ways no textbook ever could.
3. Rediscover curiosity.
Remember what it feels like to learn something new? Travelling lets you step into the unknown and reignite that spark, which you can pass on to your children.
4. Fill your cup.
Teaching is all about giving—to your students, your colleagues, and your school. Travelling is your chance to refuel and return as the best version of yourself.
5. Step out of your comfort zone.
Whether it’s navigating a new city or trying an unfamiliar dish, travel challenges you in ways that help you grow. And when you grow, so does your teaching.
6. Model the joy of exploration.
If you want your students to embrace discovery and adventure, you’ve got to show them what it looks like. Live what you teach.
7. Find new perspectives.
Meeting people from different cultures deepens your understanding of the world—something invaluable when teaching empathy, diversity, and global awareness.
8. Create memories to share.
Children love stories, and there’s no better way to captivate them than by sharing your own adventures. Be the teacher with tales of treasure hunters and turquoise seas.
9. Reconnect with yourself.
Teaching often leaves little time to reflect on who you are outside the classroom. Travel lets you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what matters most to you.
10. Because you deserve it.
Let’s face it: you work incredibly hard. Taking time for yourself isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Why Holidays Are Essential for Teachers
Teaching is intense. It’s standing in front of a classroom for six hours a day, maintaining the attention of 30 children, managing behaviour, and ensuring every child is learning at their own pace. Then there’s the admin: marking, planning, emails, meetings. It’s relentless.
But teaching is also about connection. It’s about building relationships, inspiring curiosity, and showing children that the world is bigger than the walls of the classroom. To do that well, teachers need to be energised, inspired, and present. Holidays make that possible.
What About the Principal?
Let’s not forget the leaders of our schools. Principals face the same pressures—if not more—than teachers. They’re responsible for everyone: students, staff, and parents. The stress is constant. So, when that bell rings at the end of term, principals need to lock the doors, tell everyone to go on holiday, and do the same themselves.
How Can We Help Others If We Don’t Take Care of Ourselves?
Teaching isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. But it’s also a role that requires teachers to give so much of themselves. To keep inspiring, motivating, and guiding the next generation, teachers need time to rest, reflect, and recharge.
So the next time someone asks, “Why do teachers need so many holidays?” remind them of this: teachers pour into the future every single day. Those holidays aren’t a luxury—they’re what makes it possible.
#education #teaching #holidays #teacherscorner #principal
