Summer feels a little like recess. An extended reset. We can feel it on the horizon: the days are getting warmer, sun is shining a little longer, and kids (teachers & admin too!) have an aura of anticipation around them. It doesn’t mean I don’t like teaching, or kids, it’s okay to be ready for the next chapter.

This summer especially, as I look back over the last two summers, it’s hard to even think of all the stuff….(yes, stuff. Is there even a better word?) that we encountered and endured. Even in just this one school year, there have been so many changes, compound those with everything since March 2020…it’s a lot.

Teachers, students, parents, and administrators have rallied through so much - it’s time to step back & reset. Through it all, there has been great resilience, dedication to handle challenges and opportunities to embrace change. But…it’s okay to need a recess…for kids & grown-ups.

Bringing it back to the tech side....as we ready ourselves for the break, it reminds me of a thing my mom used to do before we went on a trip. She would make us clean the house! Top to bottom, every dirty dish, every stitch of laundry, every Cabbage Patch doll. In fact, the house felt cleaner than usual! As a kid…I hated this tradition. As a mom, I continue this tradition, because I know that means when we come home fresh & relaxed…the messy house won’t bring me down! As a teacher, I adapt this tradition.

As your digital support guide: Here are some “Clean-up” tips before vacation and when you come back - you’ll be ready to start! Fresh & clean just like Momma wanted!

Also as your digital support guide: I’ll give you some exciting learning for yourself! Maybe for just a moment or two, you’ll be “that kid”. You know the one…the one that takes their reading books, writing journal, or even math homework out to recess….In teacher world that looks like: Summer PD, Learning on your own, working on teaching stuff (just a little bit) - - Read on and sign up for summer learning for you too!

It's nearing the end of the year - Let's leave our "digital house" clean and tidy before heading out the door for summer. Use this list to guide some digital clean up:

✅ Archive your Google Classroom Classes

Navigate to your Google Classroom

When you are viewing the tile of the classroom, click the three dots in the upper right. Choose Archive.

✅ Spend 5 minutes a day - Delete/Archive old emails

Set a timer. Once you get started it might be hard to stop! Just a bit a day and you'll be tidy in no time. My steps: I usually start at the bottom. Those are most likely so old, they aren't needed anymore! Then I make quick decisions and star, archive or delete!

Star & Archive: Important...I probably still need this email but not in my inbox!

Archive: I might search for you one day, but you are definitely not needed in my inbox.

Delete: I am done with this email! Delete & gone! Usually used for promotions, newsletters, etc.

*Note: Next year: Book 10 minutes weekly to "tidy" your inbox and it won't look like an episode of Hoarders anymore (definitely talking to myself here!)

✅ "Untitled" Files

In your Google Drive, search "Untitled"

To quickly look at each file, select the document & click P on your keyboard.

Don't need that file? REMOVE :)

Like it? Want to keep it? Rename it & File it in a folder.

Want to see this in action - Check out my short GIF to help.

And, I just took my own advice. My digital life feels a little cleaner now. :) Hope you find these helpful too.

Want more clean up tips & some great GIFs to show you:

Check out Coach Jen Leban's Clean Up tips