End of the Year

The view for secondary teachers teaching on zoom.

Well, we made it! We survived the pandemic. We learned how to teach online, or at least how we wouldn’t teach online. We learned how students on zoom look the same as they do face to face in masks. We learned that kids are struggling. We also learned that the community realizes that teaching is a hard profession. We learned so much more than I am able to list here, but the most important thing we learned is something that we already knew. We were affirmed that students need to be in front of caring teachers in order to learn best. This COVID opportunity gives us a chance to change the game. What was terrible about education before quarantine that we no longer have to do? How can we make our classrooms better knowing what we know now? Thank you for the grace that you showed your students this year and for being the amazing educators that we know you are. I am thankful to have gone through this with you. Take some time for yourself this summer to refill your well.

At the end of each year I reflect on what I have learned as an educator. Since my 5th year, I have written it down and kept it, just to see how my career grew. It is a neat exercise especially after a few years. It allowed me to see my growth and where I got things wrong. Only last year did I publicize my list in a blog for the first time. I am working on this year’s list and will publish “25 Pieces of Learning for 25 Years in Education” toward the end of the month. I tell you this as a reminder that one of the most important traits of a good educator is reflection. I encourage you to write your own lists at the end of each year. Like me, you could save them for yourself or publish them for us to learn from you. It helps shut the door on the school year in a positive way.

End of the Year Happy Hour

On Thursday, May 27, Jackie Orner (and Rick), have graciously offered their home and pool to us for an end of the year celebration. The celebration will be casual and family friendly. Once we have a count, we will ask for covered dishes. There will be a few things to celebrate while we are there. Please RSVP either way so we can get an accurate count.

Inspirational Podcast:

Chris Singleton lost his mother in the Charleston Church Shootings. Hear how he forgave the shooter and believes that we need to continue to have conversations.