“Your class video is only ten minutes and thirteen seconds long this year. What happened?” A teacher asked me. “You’re right it is much shorter than normal, but this year I just stayed more present with my students.”
I had two unbelievably great 4th grade classes this school year! Plus, the most incredible parents and teachers I’ve ever worked with. Moving to this school was a dream true! It was a year I’ll always remember! That’s why the last day is a heartbreaking one, and we all shed plenty of tears this year.
Every day I had pep in my step because I knew I was walking into a classroom with mathematicians and scientists that were driven to learn! I was able to do things I’ve never done in a school year because they were ready and willing to accept any challenge I threw their way. One of which was a glow-in-the-dark room transformation with six stations! Another was my Pokémon Prime and Composite activity outside! Because my classes craved learning, some of my ideas were created within minutes and seconds of the classes walking in, like my basketball math competition and 100th day idea.
What I noticed this year was that because we were having many authentic, wholesome learning and fun moments that we didn’t capture them because they were unprompted and unplanned. These moments took place daily because I was present with my class, inside my classroom, at lunch, at recess, and at after school events. To be honest, most didn’t even make into my daily journal because when you’re just laughing and teaching in the moment that you’re not thinking about anything else.
I was also able to be more present with my students because of volunteer support I had in my classroom. It took me awhile to gain the confidence to ask for help, but now that I did, I’m not going back. By having volunteers, students were able to achieve the learning targets I had for that day; and it even allowed more get help and be challenged because of the adults in the classroom. Shoutout to my volunteers. You’re the real heroes! Thank you!
Because student behaviors were so wonderful and very minimal, there rarely was a need to contact administration compared to what I had to do consistently the last four years. I could just teach and teach I did.
At the end of the year, it’s easy for students and teachers to be excited for summer and the next school year! We all worked hard for 180 days and deserve all the emotions. With the feedback I get from my students throughout the year, I’m always eager to make the next year better than the current one. During May, I constantly tell myself to slow down and be present with my students. This year, with how much joy I was having, I was especially mindful.
On every last day of school, we, myself included, sit in a circle and talk about our favorite memories. After, I play a video with music that is a culmination of the memories captured of my students. Tears start flowing down our cheeks. Then I give my final read aloud(s), barely getting the words out as the realization of wonderful the year was is hitting our hearts in all the right places. It’s in those moments that we understand just how much of a family we truly were and how present we were for one another during the school.
Thank you to my 4th graders, my class parents, the teachers, and volunteers for creating a school year I’ve never forget!
