T.G.I.F Newsletter - Teacher Shortages, Summer, and Reflection.

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Hello Friends and T.G.I.F. 😁 Here are some things I thought were worth sharing this week. I'm finishing this newsletter on the night before my 8th graders' promotion. It's been quite a year. I'm eeking in on fumes and also feeling a little reflective. I hope you're heading towards summer adventure, rest, and relaxation.

The News

Here are some articles that grabbed my attention.

• How are you holding up in the aftermath of the Texas shooting in Uvalde? Maybe you want to share what's on your mind?
• It looks like the teacher shortage is worldwide. Many of the issues facing teachers in Japan are also issues facing teachers in small-town Wisconsin.
• It’s always made me a little sick to my stomach that we have to practice how to handle a school shooter situation on a regular basis. Is the impact these drills have on young children worth it? It's also apparent that some schools take things too far.
• If you are looking for adventure the summer is a great time to apply for a travel grant. Here are a few resources along with some tips on writing educational grant applications.
• During the summer break, I look forward to unstructured time by myself and rest. I love riding my mountain and road bike and taking adventures with my family. I’m also looking forward to trying out a few items from this list.

Growth

Personal Development and Wellness Resources

• For teachers, summer can be a time for reflection. What worked well this year? What things should change? Do I want to add or remove any habits? One of these 42 ways to start working on self-improvement may be just what you're looking for. Numbers 1, 9, 16, 20, and 33 look pretty good to me.
• Book - My Growth Mindset Journal*: Teacher's Workbook to Reflect on Your Practice, Cultivate Your Mindset, Spark Ideas and Inspire Students (Growth Mindset for Teachers) - Spend some time this summer leveling up your growth mindset game and find new ways to build this mindset in your students.
• Just do what you have to do to recover from a challenging couple of years. I applaud teachers for their stamina and compassion. After we all take a break, let’s spend some time evaluating what practices should stay or go. But, take a nice long nap first💤.

Inspiration

Here is a quote I’ve been revisiting this week:

This poem below by Amanda Gorman illustrates the power of poetry. My favorite line is, "May we not just ache, but act...".

Favorite Thing

• Teaching Kids - This is the only item I'm including this week. From my perspective, our country could do much more to take care of our future. At a bare minimum, children should always feel safe (and be safe) in school.

Have a great weekend!

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