I Will Survive!

Gloria Gaynor has been inspiring people with that song since 1978 and its message of resiliency and courage during tough times is a message that educators need to hear during the hectic time of the end of the school year! Recently, my friend Allyson Apsey and I recorded a video to help teachers and principals finish the school year strong. Here are some of the strategies that we shared out:

Tips from #EncourageEDU: Break down your “To Do” list into manageable chunks. What needs to be done today? This week? Before the end of the year? Prioritize your schedule and spend your time accordingly. Learn to delegate! If a student can do a task, let them take charge. If a teacher or a partner can assist, let them. We can’t do it all on our own. Use the expertise around you! Keep the positive energy flowing. Take a dance break, use a jammy pack, ask yourself “What would Allyson do?”:) Finally, just be there. Listen to your students and staff, hear their stories, be fully present.

Tips from Jennifer Hogan: Recognize when you are in “Survival Mode”. Ask what is important and what is necessary? Do some of these things each day: Get outside! Try a new recipe. Read something that inspires you or listen to a podcast that inspires you. Call a friend. Take a walk. Do a random act of kindness. Notice that these are small things that have a big impact! Check out Jennifer’s entire blog post here: The Compelled Educator.

Tips from “Through the Lens of Serendipity“: In her latest book, Allyson shares out the acronym of HANDLE. It stands for “Hope is everything, Assure safety, No Shoulda’ needed, Do things differently, Listen to understand, Establish trust.” These are important things to do all year, but especially during this hectic time of the year. For more tips, check out the book for yourself!

I want to stress that encouraging educators to finish the year strong is NOT intended as an insult to teachers or insinuates that educators get lazy toward the end of the year. Rather, I believe that we all need to lift one another up during an exhausting and grueling time of the year and share ideas to keep students engaged during this time of assessments and culminating activities. Thanks for all you do and let’s finish strong together!

Link to #EncourageEDU episode

“It’s not how you start the season, it’s how you finish.” – Albert Pujols

“Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” – Oprah Winfrey

“If you’re brave enough to start, you’re strong enough to finish.” – Gary Blair

Shayna Gruenewald Jennifer Medellin

Monday, May 13: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
Tuesday, May 14: Grouping Meetings (K-3) 8:15-9:15 (Rotating Subs), 4th Grade to Riley
Thursday, May 16: No Staff Meeting, Art Fair (K-4) & Music Concert (1-4) 6:00-8:00