That Crazed Look

If you meet a teacher this time of year and she has that crazed look in her eyes, or even worse, a complete stone face, just remember this is normal for this time of year.

Not trying to gather any sympathy here but I just wanted to give a little rundown of what the last few weeks of school are like...

• end of year assessments (which for kindergarten is NOT paper/pencil but rather one on one interviews and performance assessments)
• student review sheets (gives end of the year assessment information for next year's teachers)
• work on class lists for first grade
• textbook inventory
• end of year conferences and meetings
• finishing up assessing/checking ANY paperwork and getting it sent home
• taking things off the walls
• packing the room up
• cleaning off all desks and then moving them
• letters to seniors (and this year...a reunion)
• letters for fifth graders
• report cards
• report card comments
• copies of assessments for first grade teachers
• memory books (printing and binding)
• sending home extra school supplies
• end of the year "review" with principal
• finishing up professional development hours
• editing and categorizing about 550 pictures of my class to hopefully save on CD-Roms for my students
• end of year assemblies
• permanent records
• retirement parties
• lock-in (that would be tonight)
• notes/gifts for my own children's teachers
• Kindergarten Celebration/Graduation (that would be today)
• extra duties (with interns gone)
• Grade sheets

This year I can throw in some other things like cleaning off the wall for the new technological equipment, technology training, and a surprise 12 hours of professional development before mid-June.

Like I said, not looking for sympathy.

Just some understanding when you see that crazed look in our eyes. :)

Reba