Semester grades have been entered, rooms have been decluttered for summer, and all that’s left are

final exams: the end of the school year is nigh. The last thing on a teacher’s mind right now is a deep

dive into data. However, now might be the best time to set aside time to share information and

gather feedback from your colleagues.

This year, we have decided to focus on developing a few key tasks from last year to help make your

transition to summer stress-free and ensure you're prepared to return to a well-organized

classroom this fall. Spring 2025

Many educators can attest to feeling as though they have just hopped off a treadmill set to 5.0

speed and an incline of 10 at the end of the day. Regardless of how many unforeseen events,

conflicts, and unexpected changes we encounter at the start of each school day, we are expected

to manage these obstacles while providing high-level, engaging, and meaningful instruction.

As September gives way to October, we’ve learned all our students' names, finalized seating charts, and introduced procedures that have now become norms in our classrooms. This period is that sweet spot where teachers and students are still vibing off the spirit and promise another opportunity to do it again, but better. Committing to the preservation of that enthusiasm and vigor is automatic for educators. We want to do our best for our students, so preserving that spark through our lessons and activities is where we invest our energy, to motivate our young scholars to appreciate and enjoy learning.

Colleagues,

We are quickly approaching the end of those lazy, hazy summer days, and for teachers, this means school is almost back in session! But before you pack up your lawn chairs and put your campus polos back in your closet, consider some steps you can take now to power through the start of another school year.

Greetings Colleagues!

Summer vacation is in full swing for many of us, and we hope you are all enjoying a renewal of the mind, a restoration of the spirit, and a huge sigh of relief from any negative or pressing issues you may have carried over from the past school year. Whether you are vacationing at home or in an exotic location, the most important thing is to unplug and recharge.

Developing interpersonal skills begins with collaborative learning in our classrooms. Implementing this preparation now prepares students to collaborate effectively with their current peers and their current or future colleagues. In her article,   “Interpersonal Skills: Definitions, Examples and How to Improve,” Jennifer Herrity reports that “employers seek candidates with interpersonal skills.” These skills include, but are not limited to, active listening, responsibility, dependability, leadership, and flexibility (Herrity, 2025).

By now, many of us are reevaluating resolutions we set in January or, more likely, abandoning them altogether. What about those personal affirmations that we educators also set for our students regarding student achievement or SEL?

Spring has finally welcomed us back to her presence!

Last spring, while waiting in a drive-through restaurant a flock of birds landed in the tree beside my car. These were no ordinary birds, for their appearance immediately held me captive. Initially, I was struck by their unique color—a vivid ombre of chartreuse and Easter-basket green. At first, I thought, “Now where did all these parakeets come from?”

When I reflect on my years in education, the most challenging times were those that pushed me out of my comfort zone. These were often the years where the landscape shifted—whether it was adjusting to a new school, adapting to a new administration or leadership team, or teaching a different grade level. However, the most unpredictable and impactful variable is always the students.

I love to teach young writers how to brainstorm; however, over the years, I have discovered that students entering high school and even upper-level high school students are less prepared and unmotivated to perform this part of the writing process.

I often say, “Being the oldest child in the family, I was born into leadership.” As a kid, I felt it was unfair to have more responsibility than my siblings. This is also the way veteran educators might feel as members of a professional learning community (PLC) or team. Everyone assumes that all the seasoned teachers have all the answers, yet solutions change based on the nuances of each new school year.

We are about to embark on a new school year, and I know you all have these fantastic ideas because we have attended amazing professional developments and conferences, or we have had a few blasts of inspiration this summer during which a bit of planning might have occurred.