My Town Tutors is a great resource for parents & teachers. Check out our Guest Blogs for Education, Parents, Travel, Tutoring, Sports, Music and College.
Many schools still have a final exam week for high school students. Some teachers give finals covering material for the entire year, others might give an exam on the the material learned since midterm, testing the students on material from the second half of the year, others may choose to give a final project, and others may just give a test on the most recent unit that was studied. How a teacher and their class ends, the year should be carefully thought out.
As the end of the year approaches, a teacher should have a detailed plan on the exit strategy. Teachers work harder and harder every year, have more demands placed on them, and drastically need a break at the end of the year. Maximize summer vacation by being ready to leave for the summer as soon as possible.
Tie up all loose ends. Each school is different. During the 1990s, teachers had to turn in grade books, plan books, missing books, and keys. Today, with so much digital technology, there is less that needs to be handed in. But back in the day there was an actual checklist that needed to be initialed by different administrators.
Teacher evaluations. Many school systems evaluate teachers on some type of schedule. Teacher evaluations sometimes require a teacher to submit learning goals, professional goals, student goals, work or evidence, professional development, lesson plans, etc. Be sure that all your paperwork is in and the administration does not have to chase you for any documents or signatures.
A common theme for teachers should be to fly below the radar. Do what your administration and contract calls for. And then drift off into the summer sunset.
Grade the Final Exam: Different disciplines develop different skills. Regardless of grad level or content area, one skill a teacher must master throughout a career is being efficient. Make a final that can be efficiently graded. Use multiple choice questions, use a grading program such as zip grade. Limit assessments that require significant time to correct. In short, make the final easy to grade.
Finish the Chapter: In honor of all the teachers of English and History, we like to view a teacher’s career like a book. And each year is a chapter. How can a teacher’s year be just one chapter?
Remember we try to keep it simple. We know there are many different parts to a school year, with highs, lows, and in betweens. In reality, one year could be an entire book. Perhaps a teacher’s year should reconsider our analogy to be like a book series – Harry Potter, Dogman or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. For now, we will stick with a year being a chapter.
Finish it up. Don’t proofread it. Be done with it. Send it to the publisher.
Start the New Chapter: For next year, do as little as you can to make the start of the school year smooth. Transitioning from summer vacation to school is like falling off a cliff. Just be ready. If a teacher can have two or three days of lesson plans, fantastic. If you can know your classes and class schedule, that will relieve possible anxiety.
Teaching Assignments: Speak with the department head or administrator to know exactly what classes and what levels you are teaching. Look at the classes and levels carefully and try to work with the administration to a teaching schedule that allows you and your students the best chances for success next fall.
In September, during the 1st weeks of school, June seems so far away, yet here it is again. It is hard to believe another school year is coming to a close. For rookie teachers, it might be the finishing of your 1st year in the classroom. For some veteran teachers, this could be 30+ school years.
Enter the summer with peace of mind. Enjoy your summer. Recharge your batteries. Come back to school and have the best year ever.
We hope it has been a great year for all educators!