SLAMMING ON THE BREAKS

I hate that I use the word "hate" so much.  I really don't truly hate that many things.  It just is one of the words that I use to express my displeasure or disapproval of something or someone (certain TV/radio announcers).  But the month of May comes pretty close to that level.

As a school teacher it is difficult to hold the attention of students in the age of iPhones, iPads, Twitter, Instagram and online games.  Throw in spring weather and a couple of early dismissals due to storms and it is almost impossible to compete with the student's distractions.

And May is the worst!  While teachers are trying to cram the last bits of information into the heads of students, we are also dealing with preparing exams, giving tests, yearbook distribution, inventory, spending our fee money, completing professional development reports....  The lists go on and on.

May is a month where teachers are required to dig in and finish strongly.  Teachers are ask to go the extra mile and to stay on top of student's grades lest one should fail.  It is a time when students see the calendar and know that summer vacation is only days away.  The days till the end of school are literally crossed off the calendar.

At this time of year it feels that discipline, especially self discipline, is down and disrespect is up!  By May teachers know who is reliable and trustworthy.  We also know the kids with which we have failed to connect or reach.

Personally, May is that time of year where I feel the greatest sense of failure as a teacher.   I look around the room and see students that, for whatever reason, I have failed to motivate.  I get tired of hearing my own voice saying the same things over and over again.  I feel badly for the students that get bogged down by other students that disturb and disrupt class.  I reflect on how I can make it better...how can I fix it.

Teachers are not as different from students this time of year as the students would like to think.  We, too, enjoy the beautiful weather and would like to be outdoors.  We, too, were up late the night before and would love to sleep in or not come to school at all.  We, too, don't always want to be there.  We, too, are looking forward to summer vacation and no classes.

In May I am physically and mentally tired.  I am tired of being a police officer, a parent to 2700 kids (not that I teach that many students) I am tired of teaching solid and sound industry standards only to have student ignoring what they have been taught. Tired of being the one who cares more about a students grade than they do!   I am tired of SPEAKING INTO DEAD AIR!!!!  Oh...and I hate giving grades.  We are so concerned with GRADES that we often forget about LEARNING AND RETENTION.

But I am ready for the school year to end for another reason.  I am ready to reboot, refocus, recharge and look ahead to the promise of next year.  Each new year is a "mulligan", a chance to do it over...do it better; often with the same students building on what they DID learn.

A former administrator shared with me a conversation he had with a friend during the month of May.   His friend said," Well, I guess you are starting to wind things down this time of year."  The administrator smiled and said, "We don't wind down.  We go full speed and slam on the brakes."

Hold on tight.  It could be another bumpy ride!

Thanks for reading!

Jeff