Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung. Bring on the fresh air, weeds on the lawn, and open windows! Let there be finals, requests to turn in work two plus months late, and kids asking "can we have class outside today?" I don't know if I have a favorite season, but I know spring is definitely in the top four. For me, spring breathes new life into the air as a teacher. When I wake up, it’s no longer dark. When the school day ends, there is still a little time with the sun shining to rejuvenate after a long day indoors. We’re so close that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I am at my most energized ready to finish up the year strong. 

For those of us who work in a school setting, spring is a time to begin wrapping up our current year while glancing ahead to the next.  New schedules, new classes, maybe a new classroom, brand new names and faces to learn and remember. If you are retiring at the end of this year, Mazel Tov!! Good luck and thank you for all the years you dedicated to bringing your very best to your students. They will thank you for it one day. 

Throughout my career, my end of the year process has evolved. I open a fresh google doc in a brand spanking new folder titled "Next Year". Just typing this is making me excited as I admittedly have not begun this process for the 25/26 school year yet. I create a table with five columns:

Column 1: Concepts & Takeaways

Column 2: - Technical Skills

Column 3: Assignments and Assessments

Column 4: What Worked

Column 5: What Didn’t 

Columns 4 & 5 are generally the most in depth and throw off my spacing for the rest of the table. This is where my stream of consciousness notes unfold and I start plugging away at some real reflecting. What will I be taking with me to next school year? What procedures need a little adjustment to be more effective? Is there any unit or assignment that I am scrapping altogether? If so, why? Was there something I could have done differently for a higher success rate? Which subjects did I integrate into my classroom most often this year? This school year, it was English. Will I add more math concepts next year? Probably not but maybe I'll be brave and try it. 

If this model sounds like something you'd like to try - click the link and make your own copy. → End of Year Reflection Guide

Best of Luck & Happy Spring,

Kevin