Teachers in December as Told by Kimmie Schmidt

It’s only about 4 weeks, but wow — teachers in December are more or less superheroes. Here’s a quick review of what many of us will go through from Black Friday to that last day before winter break.

1. You definitely made the most of Thanksgiving break.

I didn’t do any grading or planning whatsoever…but I’m sure I’ll be fine. Right?

2. But now it’s over and it’s time to head back to work.

Wait, where did my break go?

3. How bad can the next four weeks be?

I love this time of year. The kids will be nice. I’ll listen to holiday music during lunch. It will fly by.

4. Hmm, none of your students seem to remember anything you taught them before Thanksgiving.

It was only four days off. How is this possible?

5. You have your students make a countdown-to-break craft. Wow, four weeks is a long time in construction paper rings!

What do you mean we don’t have enough red and green construction paper? It’s only 25 days!

6. Okay, so the first week back is…rough.

Going to bed at 7p.m. on Friday night is completely acceptable.

7. But the next week flies by with lessons, faculty meetings, and getting ready for the holidays at home!

If I just don’t stop moving ever…I think I’ll get most of my to-do list finished!

8. Feeling confident, you break out that awesome holiday craft.

Yeah, thats glitter. I’m not afraid.

9. You attend the holiday concert preview and the kids are actually pretty good!

They really are cute. See, I knew I liked this time of year!

10. You start to think that the next two weeks won’t be so bad.

10 more days. Just 10 more…

  11. But then you hear Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer for the 8,746th time.

“LIKE A LIGHT BULB!!!”

12. And that awesome craft left glue and glitter…everywhere.

How did that Pinterest teacher get the snowman’s dang buttons to stay on the freakin’ cottonballs? What is this sorcery?!?!

13. You realize several students’ grades have dropped because they’ve…just stopped doing work.

Wait, what is happening?

14. You stop by your friend’s classroom for a quick pep talk. You convince each other you can survive until Winter Break begins.

Life without teacher friends…no thank you.

15. Feeling motivated, you meet with your struggling students and email their parents.

Time for the “We’ve got two more weeks, people!” speech!

16. The last week is here! The gifts start rolling in. Some are awesome!

Target AND Starbucks gift cards? Merry Christmas to ME!

17. Some are…not. But it’s the thought that counts, right?

Homemade cookies from the classroom nose-picker will be treasured…until you can throw them away in secret.

18. The end is in sight! Until your principal emails to let you know they’ll be doing their end-of-semester observation…tomorrow.

Are you kidding me right now?

19. You briefly consider losing it, marching down to the principal’s office and telling them what you really think.

Observe THIS!

20. But in keeping with the spirit of the holidays you rally, ace your observation, hug your students goodbye, and turn off your classroom light until next year!

Mic drop.

 

What did we miss about teachers in December? How will you celebrate the first day of winter break? Let us know in the comment section!

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