Added by  on 2013-06-18
Share23
2
endofyearAll across the country another school year is winding down. For many this is a time of celebration as they are ending life-long careers as educators. We all should celebrate with them and thank them for the endless devotion to students and families over the years. The noblest of professions is also the toughest of professions at times. Now is the time for our retirees to relax and enjoy life. A well deserved break from all the years of giving.
It is also a time to reflect, rejuvenate, and renew for the new school year. Another post to follow :-)
It is also a time to remember our students. Most of our students are preparing for vacations, summer camps, summer school, and know what awaits them for the next two months. They have a stable family life. However, a growing number of our students face uncertainty and fear as the end of consistency and routine come to a close for them.
Gone will be the loving, caring, consistent group of educators they have come to rely on and gone are the two guaranteed meals each day. Now comes the fear of the unknown. What will today bring? Will I be alone? Will my parent be here today? What will I eat? When will I be able to wear clean clothes again? When will our power be turned back on? How are we going to pay the rent this month? Will an adult speak to me and tell me they love me or care about me today? Will there be a positive interaction in my day? The list of uncertainties grow and grow daily for some of our children.
With this growing uncertainty our young people become distressed as we approach the end of the year. This sometimes leads to “acting out” and misbehavior. Please remember – Don’t take it personally, but take it as a sign from the child something else is going on in their world. By now we should know our students very well. They know we care. Don’t forget to take the time to show them you care as well. I understand it is easy to get lost in the hustle and chaos due to the end of year activities taking place. Please Remember Them!
So as many are counting down the days to summer vacation please remember for some this is not a time of celebration, but the fear of uncertainty. Our students need us now more than ever. They need to be reassured they are cared for and loved. 

REACTIONS:
When summer vacation is near, most of the students are really excited. They will start to plan whatever they want to do when that time comes.
I agree that it is really the right time for educators to reflect.As a teacher though we are not with our students during vacation, we still have to think and even  reflect on what do we need to still do or improve in order to give what we need to give to our students as their second parents? This is high time for us to even recall what we were able to give the previous school year? Have we done enough for our students? Though vacation is also our time to recharge energy for us to be fully alert and energetic when classes will start again, but we should not forget that we need to bring something new to our students when classes come to keep them updated. Truly therefore that summer vacation is a time to relax but at the same time to reflect and think of something for our students.