I feel like I can speak for all teachers out there. The end of the school year can be (quite) busy and overwhelming....
After correcting a million tests taken by sweaty children that are already mentally on "summer break", you must record them in your grade books, online for the district, then calculate them into grades for those dreaded report cards... This is how I spent many of my evenings and weekends toward the end of May:
Wrapping up this particular school year was more difficult than those in the past. We were told our principal was leaving (not by her choice) right after she gave me the opportunity to "spread my wings" and fly from my 2nd grade nest to FIFTH GRADE! A little unnerving to have so much change all at once!!!
I am sure you are all thinking, "Mrs. Drinkall, how did you deal with all this stress?!" A picture can speak a thousand words, right? Well, here you go:
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| Leftovers? What leftovers? |
We tried to party like "desperate for summer" rock stars with pizza parties, chalk parties, etc. As you can see, I volunteered to hand out the pizza.
Don't forget our backyard bash celebration... Theee Mrs. Martin provided proper attire for our 2nd grade team:
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| Dealing with "A Minion" gnats... |
I swear. I'm ONLY frowning because it was hot, the gnats were getting friendly, and I was wearing jean shorts to match my minion outfit and felt sorry for all those around me blinded by my iridescent jumbo legs.
Moving along.... The last day of school did (finally) arrive. Some kids gave gifts. Notes, drawings, gift cards... My favorite gift was from a kiddo('s mom) helping me achieve my lifetime goal of receiving 37 pieces of flair. (Office Space anyone?)
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| don't ask about the meaning of this particular piece of flair ;) |
My favorite note from a kiddo?
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| Is she saying I act like a monkey? That I spent too many hours in the sun? That I am in need of some anti-depressants? Whatever it is she is saying... I think it's adorable and I like it :) |
I compare the last day of school to my wedding day. I spent a million hours planning for my wedding and experienced many emotions such as happiness, sadness, excitement, nervousness, failure, and success. All this lead up to one big celebration and then BOOM. It was over. The same thing goes on in my classroom each year. Hours of planning. Many tears of sadness, frustration, and joy. Lots of laughs. Some failures, many successes. Just when you feel you are in a good spot and truly made a difference in your students' lives...BAM! It's time to send them on to the next grade level. Both situations leave you feeling somewhat empty.
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| My "empty" classroom. |
By this point I'm sure you are feeling a bit sad for all teachers out there as they are saying goodbye to their last student and about to enjoy a whole three months off with NOTHING to do start their summer "break". How do we deal with the sudden quiet? Lack of routine? Allow me to show you what MY team does....
We go to Burger King.
We actually SIT DOWN. INSIDE.
No more racing to sanitize hands, waddling (especially in those icy months) to a car, gambling on which side will be fastest through drive through, eating in the car, hopping curbs like THAT'S our job, and arriving back to the classroom with heartburn and grease stains on our jeans right as the kids are racing back to our classrooms.
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| The BEST team. EVER. Mrs. Manley and Mrs. Martin <3 |
We scope out what others have left behind during their "end of the year clean out sessions". This year we found some comfortable chairs/step stools and captivating reading material.
It's true what they say.
"One teacher's trash, is another teacher's treasure."-Carol Martin ;)
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| Yes. We really found toilets outside our school.. |
We were able to cut next year's supply spending in half thanks to Mrs. Martin's keen eye for diamonds in the rough junk in the dump.
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| Get out of town! Red Envelopes?! |
They say exercise helps reduce stress. We found some ways to "work it" out:
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| No tetherball? No problem! |
Good news. We survived another great year. Report cards were finished on time. Kids left with smiling faces. And us teachers? We managed to get over the "lost and empty feeling" of the "End of the Year BUSYness" through food, retial therapy dumpster diving, and exercise.
If you think my next blog post will be all "swimming pools, and picnics" due to my summer break... think again. I'll leave you with a few clues as to how my break has started off...
1. Gasless dental work
2. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, WHAT?!"
3. "Hot Cop" to the rescue
Hope your summer (break-if you have one!) is off to a great start!
Love,
Lis
