It’s The Final Count Down!

By. Meredith Biesinger

The last month of school is here—each year seems to go by faster and faster, doesn’t it?!

You might have a paper chain in your classroom to count down the days for your students, and let’s be honest, for yourself too! Maybe it’s a number on a whiteboard that gets changed every day or a series of tally marks. However, every teacher and student is counting down to the last day of school right now—summer is coming! 

May is full of final testing, end-of-the-year awards and ceremonies, celebrations, programs, and more! May is also a time for reflection. Teachers and students have grown together over the course of the school year, and in most instances, those students will move on to another teacher next year or, if they’re graduating, a new chapter of life. 

It’s not uncommon for teachers to reflect on the school year and analyze what they did well and what they could have done better in preparation for the following school year. August will be here in the blink of an eye, so while educators across the country might be counting down until summer break, we all know that you’re also preparing for the next school year at the same time.

An old saying, “The days are slow, but the years are fast.” This couldn’t be more true! During your summer break, count down while also preparing for the next school year; take a minute, take two, and appreciate the growth each of your students has experienced this year. Truth be told, they probably won’t remember everything you taught them, but they will remember you. That’s incredible! You just spent 180 days making a difference in the lives of these individuals.

My favorite teacher of all time is retired now, and we’re friends on Facebook. She was also at my wedding. She is also the reason I wanted to become an educator.  As you’re counting down these last days, be sure to make the moments count too. You never know your impact on a student and their future.