Good Morning Y’all,

Alright teachers… I wanna get real for a moment.
The school year you just walked through matters!

Maybe this was your best year yet! Students soared, lessons landed, and you found your stride. Or maybe you limped to the finish line through one fire drill after another, wondering if you could even do this job another year. Either way… your year was not wasted.

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

Every experience, good or bad, is a deposit in your growth bank. And if you’re willing to reflect, learn, and adjust, those experiences will pay dividends in the year(s) ahead. Failing forward is still forward. Floundering teaches as much as flourishing. Don’t throw this past year away in frustration… mine it for gold.

Here are 3 ways to look back so you can level up for the next school year:

1️⃣ Find the Bright Spots ✨

No matter how tough the year felt (I was there with you… I know), there were moments when things worked. Maybe it was a lesson that finally clicked. A student breakthrough. A classroom routine that ran like clockwork.

👉 Write those things down. Celebrate them.
👉 Ask: Why did that work? How can I build on it next year?

Small wins are the seeds of future success. The more we amplify what went well, the stronger our foundation becomes.

2️⃣ Own the Struggles 🔥

OK… there were areas where you struggled. Maybe classroom management got away from you (did me). Maybe parent communication broke down (mine did). Maybe burnout crept in (check).

Don’t sugarcoat it. Own it. Write it down. Name it. Then ask: What can I do differently next year to address this?

👉 Is it a new strategy you need?
👉 A boundary you must set?
👉 A skill to develop?

Owning our struggles is the first step toward conquering them. Next year’s classroom is a blank slate. Let’s start writing a better story NOW!

3️⃣ Commit to One Bold Change 🏆

Reflection is great, but action is better. Don’t try to overhaul everything. Pick ONE bold change you’ll make next year based on what you’ve learned.

👉 Maybe it’s building stronger relationships with students.
👉 Maybe it’s rethinking your classroom management system.
👉 Maybe it’s protecting your personal time so you don’t burn out.

Big transformation happens one intentional change at a time. Let’s commit to that change now… before the busyness of August hits.

Bottom Line, Y’all:

This past school year was not done in vain. Whether you soared or struggled, your experiences are valuable fuel for growth. Teachers who take time to reflect, own their lessons, and move forward with purpose become powerhouse educators.

You get to write your next chapter. Don’t let last year define you. Let it refine you.

Now go. Take in some Summertime R & R. Reflect on how crazy (or awesome) the was. And when the new year comes, step back into it… wiser, stronger, and ready to lead like a boss.🙌

All of us here at The Classroom Newsletter… OK… me and my wife (Courtney, who is also a teacher) are cheering you on. Why? Because we believe in you… and the impact you can have in your classroom!

Y’all Stay Safe Out There,
~Mitch

🎵 The Great American Super Summer Teacher Playlist 🎶 

🌞We've almost made it! 🎉 ou’ve graded, guided, and survived another school year — now it’s time to press play, roll the windows down, and soak up that well-deserved sunshine!🌴 This playlist is packed with feel-good classics like Walking on Sunshine, Happy, Summer of '69, Don’t Worry Be Happy, Sweet Caroline, and 40 more upbeat anthems to fuel your summer joy. 🎶Whether you’re poolside, road tripping, or just dancing barefoot in your living room — this is your soundtrack to rest, recharge, and remember why you love life.Teachers, you’ve earned it. Crank it up. 💃

🎯Finish strong. Celebrate big. You deserve it!🎯

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