Mindful Monday: We Made It!

This is it folks; the last week of school. 

As we finish up the craziest year of our career, please hear me when I say: 

*You are AMAZING!*

*You are ENOUGH!*

*You have ROCKED it this year!*

There have absolutely been times this year that I wasn't sure I was going to make it.  And times that I thought I had nothing left to give. There have been numerous occasions that I didn't feel up to the challenge. And I'd fancy a guess that I wasn't the only one feeling this way. 

Despite the exhaustion, the frustration and the feelings of inadequacy, we made it. Say it with me, "I. Made. It!" Now take a deep breath, and as you exhale, allow all the negative feelings from this year escape you. You don't need to continue to carry the weight of the world with you, nor the pressure nor any other negativity. It ends now. Why? Because we made it! 

Our students needed you this year. They needed to see your caring face, your understanding eyes and your reassuring presence. You were exactly what our students needed! A Teacher Like You by Barbara Dan and Frank Murphy perfectly expresses the amazingness that you encompass. Make it a point to find a copy to read this wonderful book!

Our students have seen you this year. They have seen your efforts, your dedication, your perseverance and your unconditional love. Our students THANK YOU for ALL you have done for them! 

This is the last installment of my 2020-2021 Mindful Monday weekly emails. And as always, I absolutely appreciate you allowing me into your inbox each week. It means a lot to hear how much my weekly messages mean to so many of you. It is always my goal to speak from my heart so that you know how AMAZING you really are and that you are never alone in this journey. 

This summer, more than ever, take care of you. Do what you need to recharge, rejuvenate and renew yourself. 

Until August, be safe, be kind to yourself, and be well! 

Mindful Monday: Invisible String

We all know that teaching is about forming connections and building relationships with our students.  In a year when the world's motto became "Apart But Not Alone", finding new ways to make connections and build relationships to ensure no one felt disconnected was key. And to no surprise, you rose to the challenge. You found new ways to make meaningful connections. You were intentional with all your interactions. 

There have never been so few hugs and high fives in a school building as there were this year. Our students have hardly seen our smiles hiding behind our masks.  Our relationships and connections have looked vastly different than in years past. But despite the challenges, you made sure that each and every one of our students felt connected and a part of our school family and more importantly, a part of your classroom family. While they may not have seen your smile, they absolutely noticed when your eyes lit up when you saw them. They still felt your warmth through the elbow bumps and air hugs. And they absolutely knew you loved them from all the care packages and home visits you made.

Watch Invisible String by Patrice Karst as she beautifully explains the lasting connection you have undoubtedly made this year.

 

Thank you for another amazing year! Thank you for going way above and beyond! And thank you for continuing to put kids and relationships first! I am proud to work alongside educators as amazing and dedicated as you! 

Mindful Monday: You Have Permission

May is no joke. The to-do lists are long, the stress is high, and the fatigue is real. 

There is no need to run yourself into the ground this last month of school with the thought that as soon as June 2nd hits, then I can rest and take care of myself. I am completely guilty of making myself crazy the last month of school with the thought that I'll relax when summer rolls around. But really, how good am I to my family and my students if I'm exhausted or overwhelmed? Not to mention, why do I knowingly make myself miserable? 

End the year on a positive note both for your students and for yourself.  Give yourself permission to do any and all of the following as you see fit. 

I officially give you permission to give yourself grace and do what you need to do to make it to the end in one piece. 

The end is in sight. We've got this! 

Mindful Monday: This School Year is NOT a Loss

It's May people! That means we are mere weeks away from saying we've made it through what's sure to be the craziest year of our professional careers. (Or at least it better be! Not sure I've got it in me to survive another year like this.)

As you begin to reflect on the year and process it all, I know many of us "tally" up the year's events to determine if the school year was a success or not. 

While the media continues to focus on the learning loss that is sure to "doom" our students, and the state focuses on attendance or lack thereof, while the district points out that the rate of students failing is at an all time high, believe me when I say this year is NOT a loss, and you have NOT failed. 

I'm sure you have felt like many of us, just trying to keep our heads above water. And that some days, even that wasn't possible. Perhaps most of your year was spent below the surface, only coming up for air on occasion.  

PLEASE know that no matter how dismal this year may have felt, that you have absolutely without a doubt made a difference. 

Making a difference cannot be measured by the scores on a state assessment. Making a difference cannot be measured by what the gradebook says. Making a difference cannot be measured by attendance records. 

Instead of measuring yourself and the success of your year by the numbers, how about using these questions to rate your year?

-Do my students feel safe? 

-Do my students know they are loved and cared for? 

-Will I be leaving my students at the end of the year better than when I found them? 

Chances are, no matter how you see this school year, you have been a rainbow in someone else's cloud. You have been the bright spot when a student needed you the most. That even in the midst of your own struggles, you have been exactly what your students needed at a given point. Even if you feel like this year has been a wash, you have left a lasting impression on countless lives. 

You may not know what moment or interaction has meant the most to your students or even to your co-worker down the hall. You may never know the lasting impact you have left on the lives with which you have interacted this year. Just know, you have left your mark. 

Ultimately, no matter how small your impact may have felt this year, it is one of those years that will count the most!