Halfway There: Winter Break Reset

We finally made it to winter break — and let’s be honest, we all saw this one coming from miles away. These past few months have been a whirlwind of adjusting to new routines, learning how the Spanish school system actually works, finding our rhythm with students, and trying to build a life in a whole new country. This break isn’t just deserved… it’s necessary.

Teaching as an English teacher/auxiliar in NALCAP is such a unique experience. Even with my years of teaching in the States, stepping into this role came with its own learning curve. Here, we’re not just teaching — we’re navigating cultural differences, switching between languages, and sometimes figuring things out on the fly. Some days feel effortless and full of fun moments with students, and other days remind us just how much patience, flexibility, and resilience this job requires. But we showed up. We kept going. And we made an impact, even on the days it didn’t feel like much.

Winter break gives us a chance to breathe again. To slow down, check in with ourselves, and recognize how much we’ve grown since stepping off that plane in September. Whether this is your first year or you’ve done this dance before, you deserve to acknowledge the effort you've poured into both your students and your life outside the classroom.

And to the new teachers and auxiliares who just finished their very first term: I’m genuinely proud of you. This adjustment is no small thing. Making it to this point says so much about your strength, your adaptability, and your dedication.

Here are a few tips that might help you reset and head into the next chapter with a little more clarity:

3 Tips for New Teachers This Winter Break

1. Rest without feeling guilty
Truly rest. You’ve spent months adapting — mentally, emotionally, and physically. Give yourself permission to slow down. Rest isn’t laziness; it’s preparation. You’ll come back in January with more energy and more peace if you give yourself time now.

2. Reflect on what’s working (and what isn’t)
Use this downtime to take a gentle look back. What lessons or activities felt good? What challenges kept popping up? What helped you connect with your students? Reflection isn’t about criticizing yourself — it’s about walking into the new term with confidence instead of stress.

3. Invest in your life outside of school
One of the absolute best parts of teaching abroad is everything beyond the classroom. Travel a lot, find new cafés, make memories, meet people, and discover what fills you up. When you take care of the “outside of school” part of your life, the “in school” part naturally becomes better too.

As we wrap up this first half of the school year, I hope you give yourself a real moment to celebrate. Teaching abroad isn’t easy — not even for experienced teachers — but it’s meaningful, brave, and deeply rewarding. Every single day, you’re making a difference, even if you don’t always feel it.

Enjoy this break. Rest well. Reset. And come back feeling renewed.

✨ Happy Winter Break — we earned every bit of it. ✨