Teacher Survival Tips for the End of the Year

Beth Hedrick

Whether you are a first-year teacher or have many years under your belt, one thing is a constant in this profession: the end of the year can be quite challenging. In fact, many teachers believe that the end of the year requires more perseverance than the start of school.
After countless hours of dedication towards my students and their education, the end of the year is an uphill (okay, a cliff) climb. Like other teachers, I can see the top of that cliff, but the energy required to get to the top can be overwhelming, both physically and mentally. Here are some tips that I have learned in my 22 years of teaching experience.

Take Extra Time to Read Emails
I can promise that the last two weeks of school your inbox may seem like it cannot hold any more messages. Do you remember the beginning of the year when you lazily walked in, all nonchalant and relaxed while greeting your coworkers you missed over the summer? You felt pretty good about your first day back - until you opened the email! BAM! There were probably thirty emails or more, all in a pretty little column.

That is almost like the end of the year, except you get roughly ten more a day than normal, and every single one of them is asking more of you. Be sure to read them to the letter or you may miss out on something very important, like a change in the lunch schedule due to testing or a last minute faculty meeting on a Friday.

Get All Data Together
About one month before school is out, on a weekend when you are not as exhausted, go ahead and take the time to gather all of your data. You may or may not need it later, but chances point to "may".  Within a few weeks before school lets out, you will get an email or notification that your reading data is needed and to bring it to a meeting. You will probably get an email asking for all of your goals, your testing data in various subjects, scores on standardized tests, and more. If you get everything together about a month before, save them all on a drive, then this part of the end of the year will be easy-peasy! Staying proactive and organized will save you that much-needed energy for those last weeks of school.

Do Not Underestimate the Power of Planning
It may not be a surprise that during the last few weeks of school, the students (of any age) will be more excited than normal. Sometimes you will feel like you just cannot take any more, and when the school day is over, your brain will feel mushy because you multitasked and used your mental energy much more than usual. Make sure your lesson plans are detailed, and you have actually spent the time to think about and plan out your day. Planning meaningful activities up till the last day, even if they aren’t “for a grade” will keep your students engaged and will deter any classroom management issues. Yes, testing is over and the students are very aware of that, but there are activities you can do with them that will help them stay on task.

You can also invite a guest speaker in to do various activities with them. I know a teacher who scheduled the town’s public librarian to come in and do origami with them. She came in complete with the crisp, brightly-colored paper and a ton of activities for the kids. They loved it, and it was a welcome change to the teacher as well. I have scheduled a local children’s book author to come in and present their published books to the class. She talked about her journey of becoming an author, read a few of her books to them, and had them create their own class book while giving them tips.

Patience, Patience, Patience
The end of the year is most definitely a test of your patience. The students are ready for that last day, and some behaviors can really show this readiness. Breathe. It is almost the end, and deep breaths during the day, along with keeping yourself hydrated can really help. Stay calm with them and be as proactive as you can in terms of classroom management. Dim the lights a bit, play classical or relaxing music in the background, and stick to your lesson plan. You can do it!

Be Flexible
There are many changes that occur during this time, and having an open mind can help tremendously. Understand that testing happens, and so do retakes and make-ups. Maybe the computer lab will be closed on the day your class typically goes, perhaps the librarian will close the library for inventory, or maybe field day will be rescheduled due to rain. Things similar to these events will happen, so be flexible and try to smile through it all.

It is very helpful to have back-up activities ready just in case you realize, at the last minute, your students don’t have specialty classes (i.e. your planning period) that day, or that band and choir were canceled due to end of the year concerts. If you are prepared with alternate activities that have been carefully planned in advance, your blood pressure will stay down and you will breathe a sigh of relief (true story).

Sleep and Relax
That last week of school, be sure to get enough sleep. You will need your energy to be on your “A-game” all day long, and your mind will need to focus on many things, sometimes simultaneously. Getting enough sleep will result in a happier and more motivated teacher (you) who is ready to tackle anything that comes her way. You will wake up refreshed and with a positive “I can do this” attitude, which is crucial for your students to see.

At the end of the school year, I find myself reflecting on the year I had. I think about the activities we did that were the most memorable and I smile when I think about my students’ personalities. I also find myself wishing and hoping for their bright future ahead. Rather than being “stressed” or focusing on how busy you are, take time during your day to just laugh and smile with them. The relationship-building is not over, and you will be remembered by them as a positive and influential role model for many years to come. Continue to show them you care, relax with them, and just soak up those last few days and enjoy your time with them! You’ve got this!

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.

Want an Awesome Senior Class Trip – Check Out These Tips!

Diana Eastman

A senior class trip is in many ways, a right of passage. It is the last big “hoorah” before they walk across the stage in their cap and gown and start a new chapter of their lives. A senior class trip is something high schoolers look forward to from their first day of freshman year and is an experience that most of them will remember for the rest of their lives.

Depending on the size of your senior class and the rules and guidelines set out by your school in regards to student travel, there are many incredible places to host a senior trip that they’ll never forget. Some rural high schools like to give their seniors the experience of a big city like New York or Chicago, while others take their seniors to the beach, to an amusement park or to see a natural wonder like Niagara Falls. Wherever you decide to take your almost-graduates, keep these three tips in mind to ensure students, teachers, and chaperones have a safe, fun and memorable trip.

Pick A Place
Deciding on a final destination for your class trip can seem daunting, as getting a bunch of young adults to agree on anything can pose a challenge. Some magnet schools that specialize in certain programs like theater, dance, or science pick a senior trip location that falls in line with their specialty, such as the New York City Dance program. Finances play a big role in where you go as well. If you live close to a major city or attraction and students can drive themselves, you save on airfare or public transportation. If you live in a more secluded spot where plane rides or a tour bus would be more appropriate, you’ll just have to factor that into the budget. Get students involved by using a survey to narrow down the most popular choices for the student body, and then make an executive decision from there. Allowing the seniors to be part of the planning will give them ownership of their experiences.

Money, Money, Money
Most seniors are spending their afternoons, evening or weekends working retail, serving, babysitting, delivering pizzas or bagging groceries at a grocery store to make a little extra money. Then they spend it on coffee, fast food, movie tickets, new clothes, and gas. This combination leaves little room for seniors to save up hundreds of dollars to pay for an expensive class trip. Some students are lucky enough to have help from their parents, while others are not. Your goal should be to plan a trip that every student can go on, regardless of his or her family’s financial situation.

Get Creative With Fundraising
When it comes to raising money for the most epic class trip ever, chances are your student body will need some help. This is another way to get the students involved in the trip planning and allow them to take ownership and responsibility for the experiences. High schoolers are passed the age where they have any interest in selling chocolate or candles or wrapping paper to raise money. And you won’t catch them jumping rope or running laps either. Think about things your students will get excited about and use that to fuel the fundraising. Check out some of these fun and creative ways other high schools have gotten their students excited about raising money:

Duct tape a teacher to the wall- Each student pays $1 for a piece of duct tape, and a beloved (or not) teacher stands on a chair up against a wall, and each student applies duct tape to the teacher and the wall until the chair can be pulled away and the teacher is literally stuck to the wall

Pie in the face- Set a monetary goal and have the prize be that a lucky teacher (or principal!) gets a pie to the face

Have a yard sale- Organize a Saturday morning garage sale where students donate items to be sold and all of the proceeds go to funding for the trip

Get cookin’!- A good ol’ fashioned bake sale is another great way to earn money. Create a team of students to bake cookies or brownies, and give students an opportunity to sell them during lunch, between classes, and before or after school

Rub a dub dub- Get the seniors together for a Saturday morning car wash!

A senior trip is an experience that young adults will remember for a lifetime, and with some careful planning, a little research and an open mind, you could go down in history as hosting the most epic senior class trip. Ever.

How a Trip to Disney© Can Enhance your Students’ STEM Learning Experiences

Beth Hedrick

My first two years of teaching (quite a long time ago!) was teaching 8th-grade physical science. Being a young teacher, pretty much right out of college, I feel it is safe to say I was scared to death. I quickly learned that it wasn’t going to be so dreadful at all, thanks to the amazingly educational and entertaining hands-on activities that were available to me. Like I said, that was a long time ago, and nowadays students have so much more experiences to encounter in their STEM learning, and one of them is taking a trip to Walt Disney World©, Epcot© or Disneyland©! Here are eye-popping and jaw-dropping STEM programs offered by the resort:

Everyday Chemistry (Walt Disney World© Florida)
Everyday Chemistry is a summer program which shows children that chemistry is happening all the time and all around them. Students learn that chemistry is an integral part of their lives by taking a closer look at the elements, molecules, and polymers work together to make up everything in our world. Students will have much more in insight as to what makes up the substances they see and use every day, as well as the benefits of those substances.

Kingdom Keepers Quest (Walt Disney World© Florida) With a name like Kingdom Keepers, this program is a hit with kids! Kids of all ages love solving puzzles and going on quests, and this program delivers in those areas. This 100% interactive activity gives students the chance to become honorary Kingdom Keepers by going on a journey which models after the popular series of books. Students find themselves navigating through Magic Kingdom© in order to reach a specific goal to complete the quest. This program allows the students to experience critical thinking skills, problem-solving, observations, visualization, mathematics, and more!

Discovering Marine Life Conservation (Walt Disney World© Florida) 
Growing up, I remember several of my friends saying that they wanted to be marine biologists. I always thought to myself, “What the heck is a marine biologist?” Sometimes, I think my friends would just say the term because it sounded so awesome. But now, with this program for middle elementary students to the middle school years, students will not be wondering what this person does for a living! As a matter of fact, they may want to decide on this career after learning about marine life. In this program, the kids will role-play marine workers that help with conservation efforts. Protecting oceans and the life within is crucial, and the students will learn the reasons why in this educational adventure.

Energy and Waves Physics Lab (Disneyland© Resort California and Walt Disney World© Florida) 
I remember being in grade school and connecting two plastic cups with a loooonnnnggggg piece of string. We would get with a partner, sit far away from each other and use this ingenious piece of technology like a telephone. This is how we learned about waves; light and sound waves alike! My heart palpitates at the thought of the programs kids have today to learn about energy and waves. Physics just got even more awesome with this physics lab, where students learn about physics and how it is incorporated into the many areas of the vacation destination!

Experiencing Synergy in Science (Walt Disney World© Florida)
I have been to Walt Disney World© twice, and my absolute favorite place of all is Epcot ©. Of course, all of this great theme park is very entertaining, and in this program, students will understand how the integration of technology and people result in spectacular entertainment.

Through an exploration of Epcot®, participants will come to understand Walt Disney Imagineering's synergistic approach in the creation of immersive entertainment experiences. They will discover that synergy is the integration of a variety of elements, including individuals and technology that communicate and cooperate with one another to ensure that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

How Things Move (Walt Disney World© Florida)
Think about all of the movement that goes on at Disney©, from the monorails to the coasters and from the waterway rides to the slides. Movement is of all types, and it is everywhere. In How Things Move, students will learn about energy’s role in motion and will discover how specific attractions work in Disney Magic Kingdom©. With gears, magnetic energy, pressure, and more, students will see first-hand how things move by inertia and centripetal force.

Properties of Motion Physics Lab (Disney California Adventure© Park and Walt Disney World© Florida)

Similar to How Things Move, this interactive educational experience will show the students’ real-time motion on the park rides. Newton’s Laws of Motion and friction, magnetism, energy forms, and gravity are all experienced here! I remember using a science lab, in a classroom, for all of my lessons. In this program, the actual theme park is the science lab! Students will acquire knowledge of speed, acceleration, velocity, potential and kinetic energy, inertia, forces, the Law of Conservation of Energy, and more. Physics just got easier to grasp by everyone in this course offering!

The Evolution of Technology (Walt Disney World© Florida) 
Adults know how evolution has evolved over time, but kids weren’t there to witness it throughout the years it was ever changing. As a matter of fact, many students of mine have no clue as to how I ever, ever made it through my teenage years without a cell phone and only the Atari 2500 as the best video gaming system ever. In this program, students will get to see how technology has evolved, and learn about each factor that played an important role in the development of technology over the years.

The Science of Disney Imagineering: Gravity (Walt Disney World© Florida) 
Gone are the days dropping a stick figure while attached to a make-shift parachute when studying gravity and Newton’s Laws of Motion. If your students had a choice between going to a fabulous theme park to dig deeper into these concepts or the latter, which would they choose? The students will enhance their knowledge of the concepts of force, mass, acceleration, weight, and, of course, Mr. Newton himself as they experience themselves in an incredible educational opportunity.

Giving students the best possible learning experiences and ones they will never forget is so important. When I think back to my days in school, my memories are laced with reflections on the Planetarium we would get to visit each year. Yep, every single year we went to the planetarium, all through middle elementary and into junior high, and I never got bored with it. This is because the science trips we took were so few and far between! Nowadays kids will grow up remembering so many meaningful experiences, and they will say to their adult friends, “Remember when we went here? Remember when we went there? Remember when we traveled all that way to there?” And chances are, even in their adult years, they will not only remember each trip, but remember the vital concepts during each adventure!

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd. 

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months. 

My Disney Story: Auditioning for Disney

By Kelsey Glennon

Sweat was already dripping down my forehead as I walked into my first Disney audition. It was a hot Florida Spring day. The room was full of other sweaty dancers and performers like me, warming up as they sat next to their bag full of dance shoes.

I decided to go to the audition on a whim. I was home in Orlando on Spring break from my freshman year of college and had just turned 19. Having grown up in Orlando, I always wondered what a Disney audition would be like.

In many ways, it fulfilled what I imagined—a room full of dancers stretching, chatting and pinning numbers to their tops. In other ways, it was not what I expected—friends wishing each other luck as they went back into the audition room, an emboldening sense of camaraderie among the 400+ people there.

I did not expect to feel a part of a community. I thought competition would be fierce and it would be a room full of whispers and side-eyes. But there I was in a hot holding room wanting the same thing everyone else did. It was more than the circumstances alone that brought us together. It was the passion and desire to do what we love—dance.

But wait, let’s back up. How did I get to that sweaty audition on that humid day?

Where Can I Find Disney Auditions?

I didn’t just stumble in there. I researched and found the posting myself on www.DisneyAuditions.com. Audition notices for all Disney Parks are posted here, and not just for dancers but for singers, musicians, stunt-artists, and acrobats too.

The call I attended was for “Parade Performers,” which I later learned was different than a call for “Dancers.” Parade Performers do just that, dance in parades. Their department is in the same family as character “look-a-likes” and the performers often do both. A dancer call will have you auditioning for Disney’s stage productions like “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire.”

Regardless, both auditions are run similarly and are a great opportunity to get seen by Casting.

What Should I Expect At A Disney Audition?

First, there is a type-out. Disney auditions often garner over 400 dancers at one call, so narrowing down the pool of eligible applicants is essential. A type-out involves a basic dance routine that demonstrates classical technique. It typically involves a battement and/or a pirouette. These type-out combinations are rarely more than two 8-counts and involve moving across the floor. They serve to eliminate the novice from the experienced dancer.

Once through the type-out, you proceed on to the next level of the audition. This involves a more challenging combo and further rounds of eliminations.

What Do Casting Directors Look For In A Performer?

Disney casting directors, and most casting directors in general, are looking for someone who embodies the show’s style and story. They are looking beyond the dance moves and watching how you connect to the show’s narrative. Nearly all of Disney’s shows revolve around a beloved tale. Being able to embody that story and share it with the audience is a vital skill. Too often many dancers forget about selling their performance in the audition room and plaster a look of fierce concentration on their face. Technique is important, but so is acting and performing.

How Can I Audition For Disney?

Disney auditions are ongoing, and their audition site often updates as they seek new performers to fill open roles. Keep a keen eye out for calls that suit you. Most breakdowns have a height range requirement, as well as an overall look that casting directors are searching for. For example, Disney’s Festival of the Lion King seeks “Dancers with excellent ballet technique” while their Halloween Spectacular looks for “Dancers with hip-hop skills.” Know your assets and attend auditions accordingly. 

Disney auditions are one of the most approachable auditions to attend. The atmosphere is welcoming, and everyone gets a chance to dance. That hot spring day I booked my first job as an entertainer. I returned from college and worked full-time through the Summer. It was an educational experience that immersed me in the Entertainment field and inspired me to pursue a career in the Performing Arts.

Whether your career begins at Disney, like mine did, or on another stage—remember to work hard and learn from your talented peers. As performers, we are life-long students.


Kelsey is a classically trained dancer and Actor’s Equity performer. She has performed for companies such as Central Florida Ballet, Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and at sea with leading luxury cruise lines. A dancer by day and a writer by night, when Kelsey is not performing she shares her love of dance, travel, and finding a good cup of coffee on her blog Wend Away Travels. Find her full performance bio and show gallery at www.kelseyannglennon.com

Four Tips to Get Your Travel Program Off the Ground and On the Road

By Alex Roesser

As the first student group from my district to travel overseas in nearly 20 years, I faced a myriad of obstacles in the formation of a new travel program, from an uncooperative business department to a skeptical superintendent. After two years of planning, and jumping through more hoops than a circus-trained lion, our first trip was a smashing success. If you are looking to start your own educational tour program within your school district, here are some valuable insights that I learned.

1. Get Your Principal On Board
Having your building principal’s support is critical before you begin to take your tour idea to the superintendent and Board of Education for approval. If your principal is hesitant, make sure that you present a strong case for the benefits of student travel. Mark Twain once said, “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” because “charitable views on men cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth in one’s lifetime.” Convey that travel will not only make your students stronger in the classroom by experiencing history first-hand, but it is also crucial to their development as democratic citizens. Brainstorm a list of your principal’s potential concerns (missing school/homework, insurance concerns, rowdy students) and have solutions ready to go in your written proposal.

2. Research Your Tour Company
Your administration will want a thorough rundown of the tour company you’ve chosen to ensure that they are fully licensed and insured, and have an excellent reputation for traveling with students. Email schools in your area to see what companies they use, and how satisfied they are with their customer service. Then compare prices and amenities between tour companies. Do they offer free meals? A full-time guide while on tour? The ability to add or delete excursions from your itinerary? What is their refund policy?

3. Create a Student Behavior Contract
Before you have students enroll, you need to be clear what your expectations both before the trip and on tour will be.  Do you want to link eligibility to grades and behavior? If students get in trouble, will they still be able to attend? What would you determine is a serious offense on tour that could have a student sent home? Using your school’s code of conduct as a guide will help you set parameters for potential academic or behavioral issues, and communicate to your school that student travel is an honor, not a right. This can also be a great selling point if you have a reluctant principal.

4. Highlight the Lasting Effects of Educational Tours
Teaching in a poor, rural town, the most important argument we made for the formation of our program was to show students the larger world outside of their small area. When students travel, they learn how to be self-sufficient, financially independent, and experience things that cannot be captured in a textbook. Many people have seen photos of the Sistine Chapel, but my students have stood on the floor, arched their necks, and witnessed “The Creation of Adam” in its massive fresco glory. Travel makes history, curiosity, and independence come alive in a nurturing, structured setting.

Launching an educational tour in my district is one of the most difficult things I’ve done throughout my teaching career, but also one of the most rewarding. Giving students the opportunity to see the world, and hopefully inspire them to continue their wanderlust, has been a joyous experience.

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It's all about Science in D.C.

By Beth Hedrick

Teaching science concepts to students of every grade level will enhance their love of learning. Developing a true understanding of science concepts, beginning with the basic foundation of both physical and biological sciences unleashes curiosity and higher thinking levels to help them be successful in their future goals. A field trip to Washington, D.C. can enhance and provide many learning opportunities in this astounding subject of wonder!


Museum of Natural History
The many areas of science can be experienced while visiting the Smithsonian Institution, which comprises a whopping nineteen museums with a multi-faceted approach to learning. In terms of the study of science, the Museum of Natural History is the premier destination for jaw-dropping science exhibitions. It truly is unbelievable; this enormous museum houses science concepts in the areas of fossils, artifacts, specimens, minerals, gemstones, ocean life, soil, animals, dinosaurs, primates…the list is nearly endless. It is in fact, so nearly endless that, as a teacher, it is important to focus on one science topic and spend a day in that section of the museum. It would take days among days to see everything in this science powerhouse.

United States Botanic Garden
Focusing on biology and botany can be achieved when students are given the opportunity to visit the United States Botanic Garden. This is another museum perfect for science study; however, it is quite unlike your typical museum tour. This is a living plant museum that offers many different and educationally entertaining exhibits. The exhibits are nothing short of incredible; I have been there with my students and actively participated in You Can Grow It! where, I, who honestly thought I was a knowledgeable flower-gardener, was challenged and learned new things.

The exhibits change often and are quite hands-on to meet the needs of active learners and curious kids! The United States Botanic Garden can give your students the understanding of many types of plants and also teaches the importance of plant conservation and sustainability.

Udvar Hazy National Air and Space Museum
As a teacher, one advantage to visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is the immense variety of aircraft from past history with the scientific explanations of flight. In addition to learning history, space and air flight is a learning experience in science the students won’t forget. One feature is the Space Shuttle Discovery as well as many displays and models from space. The planetarium was a real hit with my students, as well as the IMAX Airbus Theater.

The first time (and second, and third) I walked into this visually stimulating air and space museum, I was taken back by the overwhelming images of the aircraft hanging from the ceiling and adorning the floors. It really is something that is unexplainable; it literally takes your breath away when you witness the enormity of the powerful aircraft. Not only does this museum contain some intense flying power, it also features smaller air machines from very early years.

From primitive air machines to gliders to the Concorde, Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum has everything. Not only can your students learn the rich history of flight, but each plane has the scientific explanations to the way they worked.  My favorite? The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird!

Cherry Blossom Festival
If you take your students to our Nation’s capital during the Cherry Blossom Festival, they will not only witness a beautiful spectacle of “pinkness” but also learn about the science of these blooming trees. Focusing on botony, or more specifically, dendrology, the study of trees is a part of many school curricula. For younger children, you can tie in the study of seasons and focus on spring, and how many flowering blooms are a sign that warmer weather is approaching.

The Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japan’s gift to our country. The 3,000 cherry trees given to our country in 1912 explode in bloom, and this festival has many activities which commemorate the event. Many of those activities are educational science activities, focusing on the science behind trees and the timing of the blooming.

Koshland Science Museum
Here is yet another museum, but quite different from the Smithsonian’s. This museum is an active-learner’s dream! There are many activities your students will enjoy, such as testing their memory, aging in three minutes, the life lab, lights at night, and more. Hand’s on science is included with the admission fee and is completely run by volunteers. Even if you can’t make it to the Koshland Science Museum, you can go online and check out the virtual museums and the online labs which can be done either before your visit with your class or in place of the actual tour.

Spending time in the classroom to learn science concepts is accomplished by many creative teachers; however, taking the students out and having them experience real science in real time cannot be overlooked. By taking students on an interactive learning journey to Washington, D.C. they will gain a sense of wonder and curiosity that will last a lifetime.

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.