Mindful Monday: Starfish

 This is it. The last week of school. And I would image you find yourself with a multitude of feelings. 

• Thrilled you can count the number of days left on one hand. 
• Happy summer is around the corner. 
• Elated you can soon turn off your alarm.
• Exhausted because, well, you've been going nonstop since August. 
• Sad to see some of your favorite faces move on. 

Maybe you have an entirely different range of emotions you are trying to process. 

• Perhaps you find yourself questioning your impact this year.
• Maybe you feel that this year was less than your best. 
• Maybe you feel disappointed that your students are not ending the year where you had hoped. 

First and foremost, I would say you are in good company if you are feeling anything remotely similar. And secondly, I would say stop questioning yourself! 

While I often speak to the fact the teachers are amazing (because you are), that does not mean perfection is expected. While yes, we hope you are connecting with all of your students, the reality is some connections are deeper than others. And finally, success is not defined by 100% of your class mastering all content. 

Bottom line is this, as you finish out this school year, know these facts to be true: 

1. You are an EXTRAordinary human! 
2. You have absolutely made a difference this year! 
3. There is a student in your room right now that will remember you forever not for the content you taught but for how you made them feel. 

This is the last installment of my 2024-2025 Mindful Monday weekly messages. 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 take care of you. Do what you need to recharge, rejuvenate and renew yourself. 

Until August...

Mindful Monday: Mom, I mean...

I love teaching! I mean, I really love this. I can't imagine doing anything else. 

But don't misunderstand me. What we do is insanely hard. And by this time of the year, the kind of tired we are can be felt deep down in our bones. It's no wonder why, though. We pour everything into this job. Teachers provide everything from academic support, to a listening ear, to snacks, to school supplies, and everything in between to help our students thrive. It's no ​surprise that we get called "Mom" from time to time. 

The way you care for your students. The way you show up for them. The way you cheer them on and push them to be the best version of themselves. No matter which way you look at it, it all adds up the same...You Are Amazing! 

So next time one of your students calls you Mom, know that they, too, see you and are thankful for ALL you do! 

Mindful Monday: Looking Back

The end of another school year is around the corner. Endings often spark reflection, and let’s face it, we can be our own worst enemies when to comes to critiquing ourselves. We often look back and paint pictures grayer than they actually occurred, or we fixate on the negative. 

I say, not this year. 

So as you begin to reflect on how the school year was for you and your students, I would challenge you to do it from a different frame of mind, perhaps using a different lens. 

Consider asking your students, and/or your team these questions to get their perspective: 

1. What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
2. What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?
3. What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
4. What is your favorite part of the day in our class? Why?
5. What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

While I would be the first to encourage you to not dwell on the past, simply for the fact we can't do anything about it, I would say that we do not intuitively learn from our experiences. We only learn from reflecting on our experiences.  

As this year winds down, take a moment to look back and see just how far you and your students have come! It is nothing short of amazing the work you do each and every day!!! And well, some days we are quite literally changing the future for the better and other days we are simply answering the same question 22 times. 😂