The Teacher's June Countdown!

Did you ever wonder how June feels for a teacher? Well, from experience, I know it often goes something like this.

The June Countdown

The Countdown Starts

It’s June 1st. You look over at the classroom calendar and start the countdown. You whisper “5, 10, 14 and a half school days to go!” You realize that for the next 14 and a half days, your classroom will be buzzing with a constant fizz of excitement. You know that your energy level will go below zero, almost daily. Engaging the kids and controlling the buzz will require consistent effort.

Teacher Travel Plans

Teacher Travel Plans

You decide to take one last look at an online travel site before students get back into class after lunch. You hope to find a good vacation deal for that trip you couldn’t take during spring break. You decided to wait for a better deal as the prices were astronomical. You never got to Cuba in December either as the prices were just as ridiculous! You slap your laptop shut when you see that banner on your travel calendar page “Prices are usually high this time of year.”
“What else is new?” You murmur to yourself. You have no choice but to travel during peak season and ultimately pay the price.
“Relax!” You say to yourself. “Which other job allows for vacation 3 times a year?”

June Heat with a Full Agenda

It’s been 28 degrees in your classroom since Tuesday. You and your students are abnormally thirsty, sweaty, and smelly under these conditions.“
You remember to head to your agenda to note that there is a play in the gym after lunch tomorrow. With all the events, parties, book fairs, bake sales, school trips, shows, evaluations and classroom visits in June, there’s no room to write another thing into your agenda. So, you scribble “Play in gym, June 2nd, PM” on a sticky note and slap it onto your desk.

What to do in June?

What to do in June?
You walk to the corridor to welcome the students. You put on your friendly smile and move your index finger to your lips hoping to calm the students down. It doesn't work. Summer vacation is in the air. You feel it, and so do the kids.

As the students slowly trickle into class after recess, you head to your desk to look at your plan book. With the rumble, bustle, roar and thunderous excitement erupting all around your classroom, you quickly change your lesson plan to meet everyone's mood.
“Okay guys! Grab a couple of books! We’re going to read in the shade under the trees this afternoon.”

“Yay!!!!!!” The kids whale in delight! They all come up to give you a hug. You grab your own book and attempt to lead your die-hard fans outside, stumbling on a couple of feet as you head out the door. On the way, you’re being tugged from one side to the other by multiple children hugging you on either side.

“14 days to go!” , you say to yourself, “14 more to go!”

Jessie Hionis, Teacher, and Bestselling Author of Books with Heart.

      Jessie Hionis retired in June of 2023 after 37 years of teaching ESL. She taught at the Centre de Service Scolaire de Laval for the bulk of her career. She worked as a pedagogical and literary consultant and has co-authored the Spirals teaching materials published by Chenelière Education.

Since retiring from her much-loved career in teaching, Jessie has now decided to fully invest in her long-term passion, the creation and publication of children’s stories.

Jessie’s stories are tested and true-to life. Mostly inspired by situations arising with her students during her teaching career, Jessie’s stories entertain, while discreetly providing valuable tools for children, parents, and teachers. She writes for anyone who has a soft spot for delightful, heart-warming stories. Jessie’s stories are weaved to inspire, charm, captivate and cultivate kids and often deal with situations that are simply part of life.

jessiehionis.com

hionis.jessie@gmail.com