As I write this in the middle of June, looking back at May seems like a whole lifetime ago. After last summer’s stress that I could not shake, I consciously tried to “surf into summer,” starting by managing my stress in May. My first thought for teacher survival tips for May is to do just that: survive. May, I have learned, is the last major month for many schools in America and globally, therefore all teachers are trying to finish all the things. Truly, all the things from testing to performances to grades and report cards to packing up classrooms and maybe occasionally celebrating the achievements along the way. May, is mayhem.

Teacher Tip # 26 Make it through May, one Mayhem day at a time 

Embrace the chaos, or it will devour you. I have watched as teachers struggle to understand “What time does this event start?” or “Where is my class supposed to be right now?” or my favorite and all time classic, “Does anyone know what is happening?” I give my gift on knowledge to you – no one knows. Well possibly that one janitor or learning specialist no one can ever find might know, but that knowledge is lost somewhere between the first and fifteen email. No one knows until often moments before or sometimes, during the event. That is not to say that out there, somewhere in the universe, exists a school where every event is meticulously organized and communicated – where every teacher reads each email and walks away with the same understanding. This place absolutely could exist, I have just never experience it, but more power to that dream.
If you do live in the more well-known reality that is educators, administrators and staff doing their best to make it though everyday, give yourself some grace. That music teacher just snapped at you because he is stressed, you have done nothing wrong. You will see the best and worst of people during May, just survive the mayhem one day at a time.

Teacher Tip #27- Surf the Chaos Wave – Let go of what you cannot control

You could fight your way through, I know I have in the past. I have asked all the questions and be redirected by staff responses almost as many times as I have been rerouted while flying through JFK. Which should give you some indication of the sheer amount because, in my opinion, JFK is the lowest depths of depravity any civilization can fall. I salute you fellow teacher soldier in looking for and gathering the information! Carry on strong one, carry on. Or, you could throw your hands out to the side, stand up straight in acknowledging what you can control, and surf that chaos wave. 

Please hear me accurately- you still have to show up to the rehearsals, practices, etc. etc. and usually with your class. I am not saying to ghost your Principal or be unprofessional. But the advice I offer to you is to let go of what you cannot control and recognize all that is beyond your control. Is it your event? Nope? Then just be there and maybe take notes so that when the lineup changes or the timing shifts, you can mark it on your paper and think “how exciting!” and move on. Truly, move on because in the month of May there is probably another event waiting around the corner. 

Teacher Tip #28 Make the Moments Count- Don’t Countdown
A long time ago, in a school many states away, an old Principal of min actually asked all teachers to remove countdowns from conversations and visuals. He pointed out that some students may not be looking forward to summer, that some students may have some more extreme behaviors at the end of the school year due to their anxiety about summer unknowns and unpredictability. I think about that often – one, because I did feel the emphasis shift back to being present at school and two, because it helped me understand the absolute bananas behavior most of my students started presented with two weeks left to go in the school year. 

If you are teaching and the end is in sight and all of a sudden the students decide to revolt and rampage, you are not alone. It surprises me every year and I don’t know why- I think about how clear the expectations are and how the students have been rocking this routine for months. What in the name of all that is good on this green earth is happening? I have actually muttered this to myself during the month of May. That is okay. It is okay. You – speaking to teachers here – are not doing anything wrong. In fact, you’re probably a hero without a cape for staying cool, calm and collected while the heat rises and so does your blood pressure. 

I offer to you the freeing thought that in just a few weeks, you will no longer be responsible for the students in your classroom. So, you might as well make the moments count with the kids that you care for and love. As you start to plan your end of year celebrations, make sure it is something that is fun for you too, or else you are just actively choosing your own pain and suffering and boo to that. Plan for joy, expect wildly inappropriate behaviors and have appropriate consequences ready or even discussed beforehand. I won’t say give up but I will say give yourself some grace. You are finishing one battle and will have many more. Soldier on summer is soon!