Make Every Day Count

As students’ focus wanes and they gear up for summer, your teachers can be tempted to take down bulletin boards and begin the year-end wrap up with several days (weeks…) left in the school year. Use these seven tips to keep everyone on track through the final days! 

1. Set and communicate clear expectations for teaching and learning through the end of the year. These conversations start now. Keep revisiting what teaching and learning will look like from now through the end of the year. What do you want to have happen? Will there be a year-end celebration? When can staff begin “packing up” their classrooms? When will they have time to complete year-end tasks? You can reduce anxiety associated with end of the year to-do lists by letting staff know how the end of the year will roll out and what it will look like for them.
2. Monitor your goals. What are you measuring to provide evidence of your progress toward your building goals? 
3. Encourage teachers to maintain daily routines. Students (and adults) do better with consistency. 
4. Continue with your walk-throughs. Share building trends and celebrate what you’re noticing that aligns with your shared vision for teaching and learning. 
5. Fuel your culture. Shout-out staff for their efforts and extend appreciation and gratitude.
6. Attend PLC/grade level meetings. Offer your support. Solicit feedback. 
7. Provide individual coaching and support as needed to help teachers stay focused on learning goals (rather than on non-academic activities/busy work).

Discuss additional practices in your mentoring partnership.