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You (Still) Matter

Instead of worrying about all that we have to finish by the end of June, why can't we reflect upon all that we have accomplished this year? We need not fill up these last days with our lists of items that keep us in compliance with year end routines.

These last few weeks aren't about us. In fact, school is rarely supposed to be about us. It is supposed to be about our students. It's supposed to be about building social-emotional and academic competencies. 

It's supposed to be about connections.

Within the piles of paperwork that are due (we still use way too much paper in schools) and among the lists of tasks we need to finish by June 30th, the most important to do item is likely never listed.

By the end of this year, I want need our students and staff to know...
  • You matter. We believe in your skills as a student/teacher and your heart as a human being.
  • We've tried some new ideas this year and many of them worked. Those that did not were still worth trying.
  • The work of schooling is more complicated than it has ever been before. You've worked hard this year. Be proud of it! 
It takes more energy to find the good than it does the bad. A recent twitter post said it better:

In honor of all of the hard work you have done this year, finish strong! Don't let  negative voices take up any room in your head or your heart. To do so would negate the collective, positive work by all of us -- together.

We started the year with the words of "You Matter" by Angela Maiers in mind. Let's finish the year with the exact same mindset.











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