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Day 180 (Day 183 with Professional Days)
Another school year is in the books. We always like to incorporate some math into our lives. Educators, just for fun, add up all the all the years your own schooling. Now add up the years of service as an educators. (Try to do it without a calculator).
Now, take that number and place it over your age. Divide the top by the bottom and you will come up with the percent of your life that you have been in school. For most educators, That number is north of 50%.
The last day of school officially closes the chapter on another school year. Say heartfelt goodbyes to the colleagues who will be retiring. Thank the support staff, custodians, secretaries, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, and all the people that make a school year function.
A few ideas to end the school year:
A Memory Box: Once a teacher has been in education for a few years, they all blend together. One way to remember the uniqueness of a school year is to create a “memory box.” Use a shoe box or a box made in engineering class. Each year place some special items from the year. Perhaps you got a heartfelt, handwritten letter from a student or parent. Maybe there is an amazing project that a student completed. Take a few pictures each year and place these visuals in the box. If your class did something that was newsworthy and was reported in the newspaper, include the article.
Like many items in teaching, the memory box could collect dust and be looked at very rarely. But, if used correctly, it is a good way for teachers to remember the joys of teaching. At the start of each year, a teacher can open the box and see the rewards of the teaching profession. It may provide inspiration.
Memory boxes can be kept at home or in school, but skimming through the reasons why you teach can be very helpful.
Throw It Out: Much like the memory box, there are things that need to be forgotten. Get out the trash barrel and recycling bin. Let it go. Tests, writing assignments, homework, IEP’s, 504s… whatever will no longer be necessary get rid of itl
Eliminating unnecessary clutter at the end of the year will allow for a brand new start in the fall.
Create a Clean Slate: Leave the room as you would like to see it on the first day. Erase your whiteboard, pack away any school supplies that could get lost during the summer cleanup. Keep it simple! Be ready to walk into day one, ready to take on the new adventure and journey of the new school year.