Something wonderful happens every school year. In August,  you have the excitement of getting to know new students and families. You are eager to get into the curriculum and impart wisdom on the young minds you will spend the next 180 days getting to know. It's an adrenaline rush only educators know. The feelings taper off somewhat over the next few months as you all settle into routines, and by Christmas you know the students well. Your classroom is running like a well-oiled machine and all is well. But now? Now the students act as if we haven't been doing this very same 'school' thing for the last 140 days, no one seems to come to class prepared, and there are ZERO pencils left in your classroom. 

April is the point of the school year where I always felt it. You know what I mean? The feeling that this crop of students are incapable of learning anymore from me. I am tired. They are tired. The 'TEST' is at the forefront of everyones mind...even though we all know our students are SO MUCH MORE than any test can measure. We all still think about the test though. Don't we? We wonder if they are ready. Have we done enough to help them learn this year? Are they ready for the test? Are our Seniors ready for real life? I've been there. We all have. 

Yes, you are tired. Yes, students may test your patience. The warm weather is making everyone want to head outside to do anything other than academics. But remember the students still NEED YOU! They need you to show up everyday...not just physically (although that is important!), but emotionally be there. Shake their hands and greet them at the door. Keep up the 'Tell Me Something Good' part of your day. Keep doing your launch at the end of class to send them off with a positive feeling. They still need you. 

You are a wonderful teacher. You are a wonderful mentor. You are a wonderful colleague. 

Don't stop. 

You got this.