Just remember this quote from Francis Flinn: "A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected."

Sometimes, it's the little things after a long stressful school year that can make a person feel appreciated. I try to always take the time to show the people that devote so many hours of their day supporting my classroom the respect they deserve. I find that a positive note, and gift can go a long way.

PACK UP WITH NEXT YEAR IN MIND

The daunting task of packing the classroom up can be so overwhelming for teachers. You spent all year getting the room to work for you, your staff, and your students. I think of the classroom library,

the bulletin boards, the anchor charts, and so much more that needs to be safely put away. Many teachers have to pack up but also remember where you put them when you come back in the fall.

In my first few years of teaching, I made a mistake. I would just throw anything in a box close by with no rhyme or reason. Then I would come back during the summer to unpack and hate myself. Yes, are we all on the struggle bus at the end of the year and just want to get things packed up quickly? Of course! But, the problem with that is you are setting yourself up for failure when you come back in the fall.

My suggestion is to try to keep like items together that you know are going to be used together in the next year. So I try

to have tubs that either are based on like items OR that are for certain times of the school year. For example, I have a "back to school" tub where I keep copies of welcome letters, information cards, bulletin board pieces, read-aloud books, and easy tasks for my students. It's everything I use in the first month of school in one place that is easy to get to. Anything related to the things I might teach in that first month such as classroom rules, building classroom community, and teaching classroom routines. This saves me hours of spinning in circles trying to find the things I need.

In conclusion, there is no perfect way to end the school year. I'm sure every teacher could give you different ideas and points of view on what is the best thing to do. But, these ideas have always been ones that have given me positive outcomes when ending the year, and going into the fall to start a new one. I hope these can help you feel less stressed about the end of another school year and let you look forward to a summer break that you deserve! •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenn Adams is a special education and elementary teacher living and work in Pennsylvania. She has taught in multiple classrooms, grade levels and settings including regular education, special education, and alternative education. She has taught grades Pre-K, 1st, and 5th-12.Currently, Jenn works for a public cyber charter school teaching students in grades 5th through 8th in an autistic support virtual classroom. Jenn obtained her Bachelor's degree in elementary and early childhood education in 2007 from Millersville University. She also obtained her Master’s degree in 2014 in special education from Saint Joseph’s University. Jenn also added the credentials of becoming a registered behavior technician (RBt) working closely with students with autism and intellectual disabilities working with principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Lastly, Jenn is currently pursuing her principal’s certificate from California University of PA. In her 14 years in education she truly has found that building relationships is what needs to come first and loves learning new ways to reach her students. During her time not spent in the classroom Jenn conducts parent training with colleagues in the special education field and provides information through her blog, website, and social media channels all called Teach Love Autism. Jenn also works hard every day to find a work and life balance and believes that is the key to happiness in doing what you love.