The End of the Year Stretch

It is hard to believe April is here and we have rounded the corner towards the end of the year stretch on another school year. It has been a challenging year but filled with so many amazing things. This time of the year brings with it a wide range of emotions for us as educators. We have our sights on the end of the year assessments and festivities while also thinking about the transition to summer. But we still have a valuable few months left with our students and colleagues this year. I love this time of the year for a wide range of reasons. It is definitely always a difficult stretch and there are some key aspects I try to focus on this time of year.

Learning and Growth - This is an awesome time to have students see and reflect on their learning and growth throughout the year. It is amazing to have students zoom out and see all of what they have accomplished since August. It is great to even do this yourself as an educator to focus on the positive growth during a difficult year.

Showcasing - I really try to find ways for students to showcase this learning and growth. Whether it is through learning portfolios or culminating assignments, it is so cool for students to celebrate their learning and growth. It is awesome to see the confidence in skills students have worked on all year.

Pushing Skills - This is also the time to keep striving forward and continue to challenge students. Through differentiated instruction, we can individually help students take things to the next level before the year ends. It can be easy to fall into the mindset of just coasting to the end but it's essential to finish in a strong stride.

Flexibility - This is a busy time of the year and things are going to come up. I always try to extend grace and flexibility with students and colleagues. Flexibility is key!

Be Present - Be present and enjoy each moment. The year always seems to speed up during this time and I really try to be intentional with staying focused on the present. Enjoying the hallway conversations, appreciating the off topic and goofy class periods, and celebrating joy. We set the tone and energy in our classrooms and this helps keep the focus on a meaningful end of the year.

I am grateful for the end of the year stretch and all of the wonders it provides. Wishing everyone a #BlueSkiesandCalmWaters end of the year!

#BlueSkiesEdu #BlueSkiesCalmWaters