What Iowa Teachers Do on a Snow Day

Wow. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow...and thunder. As I sit here typing, it is thunder snowing in Iowa. A rumble just erupted while large flakes are pounding down from the heavens. Travel is not advised. It's a SNOW DAY! I try not to get too excited about a snow day because we need to make it up anyway, however, it is a gift in some ways to teachers. What do we do on a snow day?

Photo assistance from my daughter

1.  Renew - A day in the life of a teacher is non-stop on a normal day. Once you set foot out your door your mind flips into "teacher mode..."  reviewing your day's plans in your mind as you begin the drive to school. You enter your school and enjoy the quiet for just the moment before the hummm of the day begins. Your classroom is ready, or so you thought when you left the night before...you scramble around and put the finishing touches on what you forgot. Then kids show up. You are reminded why you love your job. The students come to us eager and excited to learn. Why was I freaking out on my drive to work? I got this! The day continues with two bathroom breaks.

When a snow day is called, it is a chance to SLOW DOWN. Covey refers to this as "sharpening your saw." I made coffee, fed and played with my dogs, said "hi" to my teenage son....I actually made my kids pancakes this morning! Renewal is so important when you rush around most days of the week.

2. Work at Getting Better - I guarantee that teachers across Iowa are reading educational blogs, tweeting, researching, and pinteresting as we speak. We crave uninterrupted moments to find that "just right" lesson or that idea to tweak our plans or add to our idea lists. We are thriving today in our little winter wonderland of personal growth.

3. Enter Data and Reflect on it - Pre CFAs, Post CFAs, diagnostic assessments, and on and on and on are constantly on our plates. Notice that I labeled #3 Enter Data and "REFLECT on it..." snow days give us time to sit back and really analyze our data to best tailor instruction. I may be a data geek, but I am itching right now to grade our most recent Social Studies Skills Iowa assessment because I think they did a pretty darn good job! I can't wait to see truly what the data shows.

4.  Focus on Family - My daughter has just cuddled up to me and is watching me type. She says, "What do teacher's do on snow days? They write a blog...." ha ha. We must remember our priorities and give those special people some attention that they deserve...the attention that they may not get in the mornings most days of the week.

Teachers across Iowa, make the most of your snow day! Renew a little, work a little, analyze a little, and focus on family a lot. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.