Survivor

I don't think there are words to describe the feeling the last two weeks of school brings.  It is essentially a game of Survivor.

We are making deals with all sorts of people just to make it to that last day.  If we are given to opportunity, we will eat anything and we are not afraid to take someone out if it means we get the last doughnut in the lounge. We are trying to get by with limited supplies and often resort to recycling materials in order to make things for lessons new and exciting.  Sorting through student problems is like a tribal council...people stabbing each other in back, breaking friendships.  There are those students who know they are on the chopping block so they are running around camp like crazy looking for a hidden idol (extra credit).  Each day feels like one of those crazy challenges where you have to balance a tower of tea cups on a stick. We are constantly having to outwit, outplay, and outlast our students during each lesson we teach these last two weeks.  

What a crazy thing education is!

But what an amazing thing it is too...think about everything you have done this year.

We have made gains with our students.  We have made gains ourselves as a professional by trying new things, exploring new materials, and giving a little more.  We have (hopefully) inspired our children to keep plugging away at the goals they have set for themselves.  Some of us have survived (almost) a whole year taking 12 graduate credits and reading seven different professional resources.  We have left a mark in minds and hearts of the students and the adults in this building.  While it doesn't feel like sometimes...WE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE!  We have survived.  We made it to the merge...some people never make it that far!  If Jeff Probst was here, I am sure he would acknowledge that 175 days in this desert is hard (ok...it is grueling some times), but we have done it and we have made an impact while here.  Be proud of this year!  

Finish the game strong.  Outwit, outplay, and outlast in everything that you do in your life.  I wish you the best this summer!  Thank you for a great year!