Finishing Strong
Finish strong became the theme for the New Orleans Saints during the 2009 season, thanks to Drew Brees — and that was the year the Saints won the Super Bowl! As the end of another school year inches closer, I find myself returning to those words. What does finishing strong look like, sound like, and feel like?
THE PAST VS. THE PRESENT
I can remember two very different feelings when the last weeks of school arrived.
Back in the day, I felt a kind of wistful remorse — first grade was ending and there was still so much I wanted to teach. We had more flexibility then. I loved weaving life skills and social-emotional learning into our days. Weeks-long units on themes like Ecology or Leadership gave us room to explore important, meaningful ideas together. The end of the year was joyful and relatively calm — a time to celebrate each student's growth, embrace childhood, and send kids off with a sense of pride and wonder.
Then things changed. The curriculum became strictly mandated. Curriculum maps appeared. Units, chapters, and benchmarks multiplied. Our daily plans were spelled out down to the minute, leaving little room for anything else. Once May arrived, the pressure was on. That final month became a marathon of reviews, assessments, and documentation. It was exhausting — and it left precious little time to do what mattered most: celebrate how far my students had come.
Somewhere along the way, the life of a teacher — and the life of our children — drastically changed. What once made me sad about the end of school ("I wasn't ready to let them go!") has given way to something harder: stress that belongs not just to teachers, but to students as well. Even as summer approaches and children are tired and restless, the teaching, learning, and testing doesn't let up. That's today's reality in education. Knowing all of this — now what?
FINDING JOY IN THE REMAINING WEEKS
Teachers, I know this stretch of the year is a whirlwind. Administration, committees, grade-level teams, and a mile-long end-of-year checklist are all demanding your attention at once. Even so — especially so — find time to help your students bring closure to their year of learning.
Here are a few simple suggestions:
Read aloud every day. Even ten minutes before dismissal or five minutes after lunch makes a difference. Pick something funny, a favorite chapter book, or an old classroom classic. Let it be a quiet, special moment just between you and your students.
Play a game, do an energizer, sing a song, or share a chant or poem. A little daily joy goes a long way.
Start a reflection process. Pull out old Morning Meeting messages and revisit memories from earlier in the year. Then invite students to reflect — in writing or out loud — on questions like:
What was the best part of this grade? The hardest?
What have I improved in, and what helped me get there?
What do I still need to work on?
How was I a good friend to my classmates this year?
What's my favorite subject, book, field trip, or recess game — and why?
What am I most proud of this year? What goals did I reach?
This reflection matters deeply. We want students to walk out the door on the last day thinking: Wow — look at me. I learned so much. I struggled, but I kept going. I can do more than I thought I could.
(And while we're on the subject: teachers, take time to reflect on your own growth too. What were your wins? Your challenges? You've grown this year as well.)
HELPING STUDENTS NAVIGATE THE UNKNOWN
It's easy to get so caught up in end-of-year tasks that we don't notice what's happening with our students — until the misbehavior picks up.
Here's something worth considering: as spring rolls around, children often start bickering, irritating each other, or dissolving into tears over seemingly small things. Those sweet kids you once had may start acting more like siblings. In a way, that's exactly what they are — they've spent most of the year together as a classroom family, and like siblings, they can get on each other's nerves. A calm class discussion about what's going on, and some collaborative problem-solving about how to treat each other better in these final weeks, can go a long way.
Another common issue is fear of the unknown. Children worry: Who will my teacher be next year? Will they be nice? Will my best friend be in my class? What will the homework be like? What does the new classroom look like?
If possible, arrange a visit to a next-grade classroom. Hearing directly from an older teacher about all the exciting things ahead can do wonders to calm anxiety and build excitement. Reach out to a colleague now and set a date — it's worth it.
One more thought: some students may actually be anxious about the summer. For children with little supervision, food insecurity, or an unstable home life, summer isn't a break — it's a source of real stress. The acting out you're seeing may be a signal that a child has realized school is ending and the safety net is going away. Look into available summer programs and food services in your community, and share that information with families. Even writing a few letters over the summer to stay in touch can mean the world to a child who needs it.
FINISHING STRONG
I'll be honest: there were years I worried I wouldn't make it to the finish line. Some years brought students who could test every last ounce of my patience and energy. In those years, anyone telling me to "finish strong" would have made me laugh — I was barely hanging on, just counting down to the last day.
Even then, I knew I owed it to every child in that room to give what I had left. To close the year with care and intention, even when I was running on empty. If you're in that place right now — take the deep breaths. Look for the good in every child. Find something small that brings joy to you and to your students.
That's how you finish strong.
Wishing every teacher a meaningful close to your school year. Enjoy your summer — rest, recharge, and do the things that fill your soul.
Previously posted April 26, 2018