Good Morning Y’all,

C’mon! You know what time it is.

Ah yes… it's that magical time of year again. Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and across the nation, teachers everywhere are mentally bracing themselves for the highlight of the academic calendar — state-mandated testing.

Let the celebrations begin! <Insert eye roll here.>

As alwyas, if you find this info helpful, please share it with your teacher bestie!

The “Joy” of Testing Season

Let’s talk about the sheer thrill of sharpening 50 dull #2 pencils like you’re prepping for battle. Nothing screams excitement like tight seating charts, silent classrooms, and watching kids click away (or bubble in circles) like it’s a competitive sport.

You know what really fuels our passion for education? Spending three months teaching critical thinking, collaboration, creativity… only to have it all put on pause for a test that could make or break your school's "report card" but tells you zilch about whether your students are actually ready for life.

Forget project-based learning. Forget discussion. Forget human connection. During state testing, our main job becomes glorified test proctor, reminding kids to “go back and check your work”, “are you sure you’re done…you just started the test 5 minutes ago”, and praying nobody needs to go to the bathroom, ‘cause when one goes… they all want to go.

And let’s not forget those beautifully written test questions:
“If Sarah has 13/17 of a zucchini and cuts it into eighths, how many kumquats does her neighbor grow in April?”
What?

State Testing: The Real Teacher Appreciation Week

State-mandated tests are definitely designed with teachers in mind, right? I mean, nothing says “we value your work” like turning your classroom into a sterile testing facility and making you sign a 12-page oath that rivals a CIA contract.

Worried about student stress, teacher burnout, or learning loss? Don’t be! We’ll just throw in a few data dives and call it “accountability.”

Feeling inspired yet? Me neither.

But You Still Matter...

All sarcasm aside, my friend, you’re still doing one of the most important jobs on the planet.
While the system might measure your students with standardized tests, you are measuring their worth every day with every lesson, every encouraging word, and every ounce of energy you give.

You're the reason that anxious student feels safe enough to try again. You're the one who sees past test scores to uncover true potential. You're the magic behind the math, the heart behind the history, the soul behind the science.

No test will ever quantify your passion, your dedication, or your ability to transform lives.

Bottom Line, Y’all…

We didn’t sign up for the testing circus… we signed up to teach. And while testing season is an unavoidable pitstop on this wild education road trip, it’s not the destination.

So take a deep breath. Proctor the test LIKE A BOSS! Wrap up testing week (or weeks). Then get back to being your amazing, worthy, talented, creative, awesome human self in the classroom. The world needs more teachers like you… passionate, resilient, and full of heart.

You are not a data point.
You are a difference maker.

And state test or not, you’re absolutely crushing it.

~Mitch

🎵 Teacher Tunes Tuesday: April’s Playlist 🎶 

🎙️ Crooners' Corner – The Coolest Grading Groove This Side of the Staff Lounge 🎶

Teachers, it’s time to trade in that chaotic classroom energy for something a little smoother. Enter Crooners' Corner—your monthly teacher playlist packed with velvet voices and timeless charm.

Featuring the golden sounds of Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, The Andrews Sisters, Rosemary Clooney and MORE, this playlist is your go-to soundtrack for when it’s time to grade papers with style, sip your coffee like a boss, and remind yourself why teaching is both an art and a vibe.

Whether you're knocking out lesson plans, prepping tomorrow’s genius lesson, or dodging emails like Neo in The Matrix—let these legends serenade you back to sanity.

It’s retro. It’s classy. It’s your personal lounge act while you work.

🕶️ So pour yourself something warm, grab that red pen, and let’s croon our way through the chaos. This month, we’re not just teaching—we’re swinging through the school year.

Share TCN, Earn Some Swag!

Would you like to unlock a fun and fancy membership to Homeroom Swag—our ever-growing inventory of 150+ fun, entertaining, and educational bulletin board letter and number sets?

Here’s how: share your personal subscription link (“Click To Share” button below) with your teacher tribe. When three of your teacher besties subscribe to The Classroom Newsletter, you’ll gain free access to Homeroom Swag’s treasure trove of designs! It’s our way of saying thank you for spreading the love—and for being part of this amazing community of educators. These resources are designed to make your classroom pop with creativity while encouraging student participation and interaction.

NOTE: This offer is for subscribers only. The link is in this issue’s email that was sent directly to subscribers. WANNA JOIN? Simply click on the “Subscribe” button at the top of the page, and BOOM…You’re In!