Thanks to Ruth's encouragement, I am celebrating. My stress level is high; however, when I stop to reflect, there is a lot to celebrate!
First, I join Lucy in celebrating what was certainly/hopefully/most likely/I hope the last snow flurries of the season! I tried to remember the excitement of the first snow flurries way, way back in October as I shook my head in awe of the winter that lasted three seasons!
Ne
xt, I celebrate the end of CCS testing for this year. We've still got some assessments pending, but with the biggies out of the way, I can join teachers, parents, and decision makers in reading/reflecting/thinking/rethinking/pondering the plethora of articles/commentaries/discussions about testing/teachers/students/evaluations/and testing impact. Late Friday afternoon, long after the tests had been packed up, my colleagues and I sat and reflected on what matters for kids/learning/standards and pondered how we can best empower our students to be lifelong readers, writers, mathematicians, learners. The Governor may also be questioning/thinking/wondering/reflecting as he was quoted as saying, "For at least the next five years, they (grades on CCS tests) won't count at all for students." Now that is something to celebrate - for students!
Finally, I celebrate motivational tidbits on social media. I'm not sure how we got through the day-to-day stress of living without them! It's like daily sermon/public service/reminder/motivation. Somehow, the synergy - the combined effects - of the reminders really does help keep me grounded in what is important! So, I'm trying to figure out how we can do this for kids in our schools - perhaps hallway signs on testing days?
8 comments:
I'm glad that you shared such positive words from your testing, Anita. I hear such stress from many & am sorry for that. It sounds as if the de-brief group that your staff had was a good thing. That snow just keeps coming doesn't it? We aren't having more snow, but a cold front Sun.-Mon. then up to the 80s at the end-changing April! Hope you have a wonderful week ahead! I love those quotes too!
Anita, I'm sorry about the seasons of snow and testing. So thankful both are over now! Hopefully you are well into spring soon! I love these visual quotes too.
I also draw some positive energy from those small reminders on social media. It's a great idea to hang up posters in the hallway to give students that little boost each day. We are in the midst of the testing blitz right now. I will be so happy when it is all finished.
I love your idea of bringing the motivational tidbits to the kids. I'm retired, but helping out with testing over the next few weeks. I'm sharing your idea. Hope your last snow was truly the last. Testing over is certainly something to celebrate!
I have room if you want to travel south to the rain rather than the snow. I like this motivational idea. Maybe I can post them on our class blog. Thanks for sharing your celebrations.
Oh, you gave me an idea!!! Motivational tidbits and testing...I'll post more later. I have 2 tests to give this week and they aren't even the BIG one! Sigh...
Your post pushed me to post. It's been a tough week, but if you could post on a week with snow and testing, I HAVE to post! Thank you for the inspiration!!!
I am so with you on those motivational tidbits. They revitalize and renew our energy. You are so smart to think towards your students in this. Thank you for this important connection. Your thinking fosters a pay it forward mentality. Love. It.
Snow, testing and stress make a bad combination. I am glad you found your strength and even celebrations during this kind of a week.
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