Why Wrapping Up the School Year LIKE A BOSS is Key (and How You Can Do It)
TL;DR - Have your students vote for their classmates for your classroom end-of-the-year awards!
Alright teacher fam, que Chariots of Fire CAUSE THE FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT!
With summer break calling your name like a music ringtone from the early 2000s, it's easy to coast through these last few weeks.
Keep in mind, finishing strong isn't just about surviving – it's about thriving (has to be true, they almost rhyme).
We're talking about leaving a legacy, creating a mic drop moment that your students will remember, and setting yourself up for a rejuvenating summer and a fresh start to the next school year!
How to Own the Endgame (Like a Pro)
1. Reflect and Recharge: Before diving into the end-of-year frenzy, take a moment for yourself (aka TREAT YO SELF)! Grab your favorite Starbucks drink, put on those noise-canceling headphones, and reflect on your wins (and maybe a few losses) this year. Just like Michael Jordan analyzing game tape, this self-assessment is crucial for growth!
2. Student Shoutouts: Remember, your students are the real MVPs! Give them the recognition they deserve! Consider a "Students of the Year" award ceremony (complete with confetti cannons, of course). Or go old school with handwritten notes highlighting each student's unique strengths!
FREE RESOURCE: End-of-Year Awards Voting Form (have students vote for their classmates)! Pro-Tip: Copy/Paste your students’ names from a Google Sheet into each section for voting!
3. Legacy Projects: Want to leave a lasting impact? Think beyond that year. Have your students create a mural that represents their learning journey, write letters to next year's class, or even plant a time capsule filled with their hopes and dreams that you can give to them when they’re seniors!
4. Summer Prep: Let's face it, you've earned that 30A beach vaca, but before you slip into full-on relaxation mode, dedicate some time to yourself in the future! This isn't about creating lesson plans in a hammock. It's about outlining your goals, brainstorming new ideas, and getting a head start on those pesky admin tasks. Trust me, future you will thank you.
What This Looks Like in Real Life (No Teacher Talk Here)
Think of it like the final scene in that action movie you love so much. You're the director, and it's your job to make sure it's epic. Picture your students leaving your classroom feeling empowered, inspired, and ready to conquer the world (or at least that super strict teacher they’ll have next year). And you? You're strutting out of the school like you just dropped a hotter album than Taylor Swift, knowing you crushed it and set yourself up for even greater success next year!
Never stop learning,
Dr. T
P.S. Wanna get summer training hours WHILE go through a ton of my free resources with me via livestream? You can do that! Just make sure your school pays for it not you 😂)
