Yesterday afternoon, we had our end-of-year party. Swimming Pool. Dance Party. Taco Truck. Slushies. It was a great way to end a great, great year.
This morning, I have the pleasure of meeting my incoming class of students. I have been thinking a lot about what I want to say and how I want to kick things off. We only have half an hour. It is the last day of school. But I still want it to be special.
I started off by writing the typical “Meet Your Teacher” letter which was about me and my dog and husband and the countries I have lived in etc. Then I thought about my new role: Technology and Innovation Advisor.
So, I scrapped that letter and wrote some thoughts that I really wanted to share. And then I made this:
I plan on giving the kids a business card with this on it. I don’t know if they all know what the code is or even how to read it, hence the few sentences beside it. We are a close community and I am pretty sure that it will take very little time for the code to be cracked! What I do know, is that it will be different for them. It will make them think. It might even inspire them to create. Or have fun!
The code takes them to a flyer I made on Smore. So easy. So intuitive. Love it.
The letter might just be one of the best I have written and was inspired by a post titled “What’s Good For the Kids”. If you can take the time to click here and read it, I would love your thoughts and feedback.
sonya terborg 
I think that that is a wonderful idea to get them started. I read over the flyer, loved your book by the way, and think that they will enjoy reading. Thats such a clever idea!
Thanks, Jordan! I wanted to try something new and a little different and I think I hit both of those. I was inspired by the first two classes I taught at my school and wanted to build on the momentum. I am grateful to work with such amazing families and awesome kids!
You are so amazing!!!! I cannot wait to see what 5th grade holds for Gwyneth and our entire family!!! Thank you is just nor enough!
“To whom much is given, much is expected”…..sums it up pretty well, actually! I can’t wait either and am looking forward to the year ahead!
Well done on the letter. So glad my post was able to inspire you. It is great to know that there are others out there with the same vision. Most impressive is that you were willing to re-evaluate what you were doing and change. It is that cycle of reflection, responsible risk-taking, and re-evaluation that leads to learning and growth. Keep doing that for yourself and your students. You’ve in turn inspired me to examine how I welcome my students in September.
I couldn’t agree more. I think when I don’t feel like reinventing or refining in some way and when I stop looking for new ways of thinking and doing, I should remind myself to get out of the teaching profession. If you are not pushing on the edge of awesome, if you are cosy inside the box instead of making a ruckus, it is time to step aside!