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...