Waterlily Photo by Kim Douillard

Summer’s anthem has been playing…and if you aren’t actually hearing it live, it may well be playing through your head. School’s out for summer. School’s out for… Alice Cooper is just one of many who help to create the mystique of summer: long sun-drenched days, abandoned schedules with stretches of time to do whatever you please, warm temperatures perfect for water and ice cream and condensating boat drinks. This illusion seems to be what we reach for in summer–and often remains just beyond our fingertips.

But summer is a perfect time for reflection. Time to take stock of what went right during the school year. Which lessons engaged your students and created that magic that happens when learning feels effortless? Which will you ditch? Those that tied your stomach into knots, the ones that just weren’t worth the investment of time and/or energy? What will you do differently next year, with a new group of students? Who stays with you, niggling at the back of your mind? You might enjoy this article about flies, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Flies. I know, you’re wondering if I have lost my mind, but honestly, maybe a lesson I have learned this year is to find ways to embrace the misunderstood…in our classrooms, in our lives.  Maybe pair it with this archive link to an Atlantic article, In Praise of Difficult Kids. Let me know what you think!

And if you’re looking for some low-key professional learning, you might check out the Write Now Teacher Studio, there’s usually something going on. I’m a fan of the prompts in the Teacher as Poet group. Two Writing Teachers Blog is offering a “Read Like a Writer” collaboration this summer–complete with a crowd sourced padlet. Or better yet, dust off that journal and start writing! There is so much to learn from your own practice–and if you’ve let yours fall by the wayside during the time-crunch of the school year, summer is the “write” time to start again!

While “official” summer is still weeks away, it’s never too soon to pick up the pen, to grab a good book, or do both!

Happy summering!

Kim

Our Young Writers' Camp 2026 registrations are still open, and we're still accepting new campers!

We’d especially appreciate your help spreading the word about our virtual College Admission & Application Essay Workshop this summer. The workshop is open to incoming high school seniors and community college students planning to transfer.

Be sure to check out the rest of our summer camp offerings as well! Click the links below for more information and to register through Eventbrite:

The BowSeat Creative Action for Conservation Contest accepts submissions through June 8^th, 2026. Students ages 11-18 are encouraged to submit to the theme: Your Story, Our Ocean. They accept a wide variety of modes, including poetry, creative writing, film, and more.  

Make sure to check out 'Dragons to Dinosaurs: The Lore & Science of Mythical Creatures' when it gets released on July 21^st. This book delves into how real fossils and wildlife inspired history's greatest myths by exploring the science behind legendary monsters.

As a children's science book author, Elizabeth Shreeves also shares her collaboration with Generation Skeptics and the multi-subject guide they created: Teacher Guide for Dinosaurs to Dragons.

Pre-order the book and get more information by clicking below!

Enviro-Art: AAP Youth Climate Art Contest 2026 is accepting submissions through July 25^th, 2026. It is open to all students (18 years old and under) that would like to submit an art piece. Click this link for a flyer with more information: Enviro-Art Climate Art Contest 2026 (flyer)

The 22^nd annual Voices of Lincoln Poetry Contest is now accepting submissions until Wednesday, July 15^th.

Click the links below to visit the website and download some flyers with more information and registration details:

The San Diego Area Writing Project (SDAWP) believes that socially responsible approaches to teaching writing support the education and success of San Diego's culturally and linguistically diverse student population. Our work ranges from professional development workshops to summer programs for young writers; we believe that writing is critical to learning and a vital tool for communication in all disciplines. 

We ask for your one-time donation or a sustaining monthly contribution to support all of the SDAWP programs. Your tax-deductible donation to UC San Diego Online Giving directly supports the San Diego Area Writing Project-Programs & Young Writers' Camps Scholarships Support Fund (4787). Donating to the San Diego Area Writing Project is your opportunity to support high-quality teacher education that guarantees the academic achievement of all of our students.