Summer vacation may mean students aren't sitting at desks, but teachers never truly rest in their efforts to recharge and reinvigorate for the next school year. InspirED chatted with Michigan Teacher of the Year, Melody Arabo, to discover how she re-energizes herself -- and her lesson plans --  throughout the summer months.
 
Can you speak to winning the Teacher of the Year recognition? What was the process like and how do you feel it's benefited you and your career?
 
Arabo: I received a letter in November of 2013 from the state superintendent's office stating that I had been nominated for Michigan Teacher of the Year, therefore I was invited to apply. It didn't say who nominated me, or even how, and I wasn't even sure it was real. I took it to my principal to make sure it was legitimate and he told me he had posted a link for nominations in our school newsletter. I decided to apply, which was an intense experience that ended up with 15 pages of essays around my deepest beliefs and values about education and letters from my superintendent, principal and community members. I submitted everything the first week of January and didn't hear anything for months. It wasn't until April that I got a call from the Michigan Department of Education notifying me that I was one of three finalists. I was then invited to do a face-to-face interview in Lansing with a diverse panel of educators. Then, I was named Michigan Teacher of the Year on May 15, 2014 by state superintendent Mike Flanagan during a surprise assembly filled with students, colleagues, family and friends.
 
How do you spend your summers? All work and no play, or are you able to plan for the next year with a little bit of relaxation in between?
 
Arabo: Things have slowed down a bit after a wildly busy year, but I still hold many leadership roles and have conferences and speaking opportunities throughout the summer months, so it is definitely a good balance of work and play. I'm currently at a Policy Conference in Denver. In July, I'll be heading to Huntsville, Alabama for Space Camp with the other State Teachers of the Year. I also have three short trips to DC planned in July and August for three different teacher leadership initiatives. I'm involved in a lot of great initiatives that are fun to work on during a break from the school year.
 
What kind of professional development do you find most helpful during the summer months?
 
Arabo: Twitter is my absolute favorite form of professional development because the great information comes from outstanding educators all across the country. Twitter is a way to get efficient, yet effective PD any time and it is important to stay connected with my professional learning network over the summer.
 
What advice would you give to new teachers, or soon-to-be teachers, on how they should use their summers to gear up for the next school year?
 
Arabo: I would say first and foremost -- relax -- because it is so important to take time in the summer months to renew and re-energize. Stick with a mixture of leisurely reading and professional reading because it is a great chance to learn more about things you are most interested in. Plan a few new things that you would like to try in your classroom and prepare for those over the summer, because once the school year starts, things get hectic quickly and well-intended initiatives get pushed back if they are not implemented right away. Most importantly, engage in social media professionally because it's fun, fast, easy  and a very powerful tool for growth.