Unless you’re a teacher, you have no idea what the end of the year truly involves.
Here is just a small sample of things that must be done in the final weeks (think 3 or less) on top of teaching:
- input final grades
- write report card comments
- turn in report cards, adjust according to feedback
- file report cards, IEPs, attendance, end of the year checklist, final exams, grade promotion, and any other important paperwork–and yes, file by hand
- end of the year awards: decide, make, send out letters, attend
- end of the year celebrations: promotions, festivities, graduations all require planning & clean-up
- take down classroom (days’ worth of time)
- clean entire classroom (scrub desks, wipe down boards and shelves, empty out drawers, remove all food from every corner of the room)
- take home any personal items (the extra pair of shoes, your water bottle, the candy drawer–all that cannot stay over the summer)
- return school property: books, curriculum, posters, manuals
- return emergency items: first aid kits, emergency plans, emergency signs, etc.
- end of the year trainings (WHY?!)
- meetings and trainings for the next school year (Why? I’m not going to remember in 8 weeks what was discussed, or who I met!)
Optional, though often obligatory, or added joyful obligations:
- signing everyone’s yearbook
- creating an end of the year gift for students and families
- attending added events–the ones not affiliated with your current assignment, classroom, or school (ex. former students’ graduations and promotion ceremonies)
- end of the year celebrations with co-workers/other teachers
The end of the year is filled with a number of added layers of responsibility. It’s stressful, but on that last day . . . bliss.
C is for Camacho 