Reignite Your Passion for Teaching: Summer Plans to Renew Your Love for Math (and Science)

By William Reed

As the school year winds down, many educators find themselves running on

fumes. If you’re a math or science teacher feeling burnt out, you’re not alone. The passion and excitement that marked the beginning of your career may feel distant after months of lesson planning, grading, and managing classroom dynamics.

The good news—summer is the perfect time to rekindle your love for math and science. With the right activities, you can return to the classroom in the fall feeling refreshed, inspired, and full of new ideas. In this blog, you’ll discover creative, practical, and even adventurous ways to reconnect with your subject and reignite your enthusiasm for teaching.

Here are some options I have taken advantage of  throughout my career that you might want to consider. I have been very fortunate to have many opportunities to totally renew my love of math and my love of teaching math. I took a summer to earn my Private Pilot’s License which really renewed my love of math and how it is used outside of a math class. With the help of Fulbright Scholarships, Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholarships, Sister City Exchange Programs, and the United States Embassy, I was able to study education systems in Japan, Brazil, England, and Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan) by visiting each of these countries for 4 - 9 weeks during the summer. I toured schools and worked with teachers to learn how they taught math. Finally, I job-shadowed Farmers, Engineers, College Professors, U.S. Forestry Service Rangers, Scientists, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Officers to see how they used math while performing their duties.

Why Take Time to Renew Your Passion?

Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers, but also one of the most demanding. A reinvigorated passion for math and science not only benefits you—it transforms your classroom. When students see their teacher excited about the material, it’s contagious.

So, what can you do this summer to rediscover the joy that first led you to study and teach math and science?

1. Try a Math-Focused Hobby

Learn to Fly (Yes, Really!)

A summer spent earning a Private Pilot’s License transformed my own relationship with math. Aviation is full of real-world applications of geometry, algebra, and physics. Not ready to go all in? Schedule a Discovery Flight—a 30 to 45-minute session where you’ll actually pilot a small aircraft with a certified instructor. These typically cost around $100 and can be set up through your local Fixed Base Operator (FBO).

Go one step further, Take a Pilot Ground School

A Pilot Ground School can be done at your own pace online, through DVDs or you can take a course at your local Fixed Base Operator (FBO). Ground school curricula typically cover:

• Aerodynamics: The principles of flight, including lift, drag, and thrust.

• Meteorology: Understanding weather patterns and their impact on flight.

• Navigation: Learning how to navigate using charts, maps, and electronic devices.

• Airspace and Regulations: Familiarizing students with airspace structures, regulations, and procedures.

• Aircraft Systems: Understanding the various systems of an aircraft and how they function.

  
  

A Pilot Ground School will cost from $299 (DVDs or online) to $500 in-person.

Explore Quilting or 3D Printing

Both hobbies are deeply mathematical! Quilting involves geometric patterns and spatial reasoning, while 3D printing introduces you to design software and precision measurement.

Local art centers, maker spaces, or stores like Michaels often offer beginner classes, or you can find online tutorials to get started. Quilting classes usually cost between $25-$100 to learn all the details of quilting. You can purchase a nice entry level 3D Printer for around $300.

2. Job Shadow Professionals Who Use Math Daily

Spend Time with a Farmer

You’d be amazed how much math goes into farming—from calculating acreage for planting to optimizing fertilizer use. Local farmers are often happy to share their knowledge, or you can reach out to a nearby Farming Co-Op for connections.

Partner with Government Agencies 

Agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Indiana, U.S. Forestry Service, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources frequently collaborate with educators. For example, the Indiana Ecological Services Field Office does wildlife sampling using statistics and standards relevant to what many math and science teachers cover in class. These experiences offer hands-on learning you can bring directly back to your students.

3. Travel and Learn: Grants and Fellowships for Teachers

There are incredible funded opportunities that allow teachers to explore the world while gaining fresh educational insights. Here are just a few:

 Fulbright Teacher Exchange Programs

These prestigious programs allow educators to study and teach abroad. You can explore how math and science are taught in countries like Japan, Brazil, England, or Kyrgyzstan, just as I did through programs supported by the Fulbright Memorial Fund and the U.S. Embassy.

NASA’s Space Academy for Educators

If you’re a science or STEM educator, consider investing in this once-in-a-lifetime program. While not free, the experience is invaluable, offering insider access to NASA’s curriculum and resources to energize your teaching for years to come.

Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship

Each year, the Eli Lilly Endowment Inc. awards over 125 educators with $15,000 grants to pursue personal and professional projects that rejuvenate their teaching practice. Whether it’s travel, research, or a creative endeavor, this is a chance to truly renew your spirit and your classroom approach.

4. Take a Class, start a Project, or Explore Locally

Not every renewal opportunity requires travel or a grant. Sometimes the best experiences are found right in your community:

• Sign up for a local workshop at a community college or art center

• Tour nearby engineering firms, environmental organizations, or research labs

• Visit national parks or nature preserves and explore math-related environmental studies

• Join a summer math camp or STEM initiative as a participant or mentor

Final Thoughts: Plan Now, Reignite Your Passion

The opportunities are endless—from local day trips and short-term hobbies to international travel and fellowships. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with real-world applications of math, gain inspiration from other educators, or simply remember why you started teaching, this summer can be a transformative season.

You’ve spent the year giving your all to your students. Now it’s time to give back to yourself. Reclaim your excitement, deepen your knowledge, and return to your classroom ready to inspire.

Ready to Start? Here’s a Quick Planning

Checklist:

• What excites you outside of the classroom?

• Do you prefer short-term or long-term activities?

• Would you enjoy a solo project or collaborative experience?

• Is there a grant or fellowship that matches your interests?

• What local resources can you tap into today?

Have You Found a Summer Experience That Reignited Your Passion?

Share your story in the comments or let us know what you’re planning for this summer. Let’s build a community of inspired math and science educators!