This is cross posted from the Connected Principals site.
I wrote a post for our teachers on my blog talking about the opportunities that we still have before the end of the school year. At that point we had 16 days left and I gave 16 easy, free things that they could do that didn’t center necessarily with instruction, but instead strengthened a connection to a student.
The next day I received an email from a neighboring district collegaue. Her words reasonated with me, yet again, and I thought they might benefit you as well.
Thanks Stacy, for letting me share!
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Hi friend,
I have had a lot on my plate this year and have let a lot of things go as a result of that overload. I am getting back on board my plate and getting inspired. Last night, I read your blog post, and I think I tweeted you that it was great, and got further inspired.
So, since our district does not allow us to have personal, professional blogs, this is what I came up with. Read on and thanks for the inspiration.
I hope all is well in the land of the lions,
Stacy
From: Stacy
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 8:52 AM
To: Our Staff
Subject: If I had a blog, this is an article I would post: The FINAL COUNTDOWN
I am about to reveal something that you likely didn’t know was a source of irritation for me, a “pet peeve”, if you will. We all have those, don’t we? I am no different! I would like to share that one of my biggest pet peeves is the public and grand “countdowns/days left” displays and discussions that inevitably occur at the end of the year or near any break.
Why? The biggest reason is the children. In this day and age, our children’s summers will not match the summer you have planned for yourself and your family. Many of our children will be engaged in day care and camps, but it just is not the same as what you have provided for 180 days at school. The message the countdown sends to kids is often a source of anxiety for a multitude of reasons. They are anxious about what the structure of their day will be; you have provided a regimented and predictable day for them for 180 days. Many of our children will spend their summer days craving the attention that you have given them over the 180 days that you were together as a class. Children like that consistency and knowing what is next; many of their summer days are spent without any structure, challenge, or real engagement with an adult. You have filled their days at McCall with love, happiness, security and rich experiences that likely will not be matched day for day in their summer days.
Second, children get the message that this is over—you are done and ready to go home. It isn’t over, we still have 16 days left to fill with math, reading and science and social studies. They begin to make bad choices because everyone is “ready for vacation”. When we maximize that time for them and plan great lessons all the way to the end, you don’t wear yourselves out because you are managing behavior issues due to unengaged, unfocused children. I came across the attached blog post last night from one of my peers in the tech world and friend from twitter, Amber Teamann. Her post is what inspired me to share how I feel about the countdown. She has a similar view, but wrote a GREAT post on a list to challenge you (and her staff) to complete the last 16 days. I am not saying not to be joyful over your summer and the plans you have, but try to not to be so public about it to the kiddos here at the end.
Make these last days amazing memory makers for the children and plan great lessons. The kids will LOVE you for it and you will have an end of the year to remember instead of dread, I guarantee it!
So, that was my “blog post” that can’t be published, but can be emailed, and embedded with another blog post that isn’t blocked by our filter. Life is full of problem solving and figuring out what we can do instead of what we can’t do. J
Here is the link to Amber’s post:
