COMING BACK FROM WINTER BREAK: A TEACHER’S EXPERIENCE.

“I SWEAR it wasn’t like this yesterday. I don’t know what the hell happened… Excuse me, Hey! HEY! Get to class! GET - TO - CLASS!”

The administrator yells at four students causing a commotion down the hallway as she’s leading me to the room for our poetry program.

“It’s okay, ya know, it’s just Winter Break.” I tell her smiling.

I teach poetry and art at several different Independent (otherwise known as Alternative) High Schools in North Carolina. One thing I’ve learned is you don’t know what you’re walking into from one day to the next.

When it comes to Winter break however, the same “freak out” happens no matter what school you teach at.

So why the crazy energy coming back?

Why is Winter Break so much different from Summer break?

MILESTONES IN TEENAGE YEARS

When a student is being disruptive there‘s ALWAYS A REASON.

As adults we forget how many milestones happen to us during teenage years. And…

How fast they happen.

Remember when you wrecked your first car, got busted for something you had no business doing AND your girlfriend (or boyfriend) dumped you all in the same week?

High school years are some of the roughest.

Not only because the adolescent brain hasn’t been able to fully form coping mechanisms (especially if a teen has experienced trauma), critical thinking and control over emotions that are sky high in this phase of life, but there’s also more high risks involved as opportunities are made accessible.

You finally get to flex responsibilities like driving a car, staying out late and other things you’ve never done before.

There’s more room for things to happen and for mistakes to be made, for pain to be learned and pressure to be felt.

Winter break is a week long.

A lot can happen in a week.

Unlike summer break, there isn’t even enough time to process what happens, so all the pent up emotions, unsettled arguments and grief come spilling out into the hallways and classroom.

EMPATHY IS ESSENTIAL, DON’T ASSUME.

Don’t assume a student is acting out because they have something against you. Always seek first to understand. Here’s some easy tips to calm and release that energy when back from winter break.

START THE CLASS WITH A FREE WRITE
Taking 5 mins to do a free write in their notebooks can save you a ton of re-directing in class if they’re showing up carrying more than just books on their backs. Give them space to deal with what’s going on, so they have a better opportunity to focus.
DO A CHECK IN
This is a favorite among a lot of teachers. It’s as easy as going around the room and letting each student say one sentence about their winter break, or if there’s time, expanding more on their experience. Not only will you learn more about your students, but you’ll also allow space to give support by tips from you and their peers. If a student doesn’t want to share, give them the option to pass.
DO A RELEASE AND FOCUS EXERCISE
This can be done a number of ways. Before class begins, have a box and slips of paper. Get each student to write down something they need to let go of. The student writes down what they need and puts it in the box. You can even seal it and bury it like a time capsule. Make sure the students know that what they write is confidential and not to write their names down. Another option is a simple breathing exercise. I’m a huge fan of the 5-5-5. Get everyone to stand in a circle, or just stand up and breathe in through their nose for 5 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds and exhale through the mouth for 5 seconds. You can do 3 rounds of this for a great stress reducer.

KNOW YOUR STUDENTS

If you’ve spent time getting to know the personality of your students, what challenges they have and their strengths, you can get a pretty good idea of how to prepare when things happen.

IF YOUR DUTY IS TO ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS, IT’S YOUR JOB TO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED

I know, teachers are overworked, underpaid and lack the support they need. But this CAN NOT be overlooked. You’re dealing with a human being. The way you run your classroom and the way you interact with your students have consequences. Dire ones.

90% of my students reside in group homes at one of the schools I teach at.

Knowing this, I’m not surprised when I return from winter break to see 90% of my students bouncing off the walls.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s some amazing group homes out there (The Relatives are phenomenal) but sadly not all are. And because I have spent time sharing, being vulnerable and offering trust to my students, I know how uncool and sucky their experience at the group homes are.

THE HOLIDAYS AREN’T SO MERRY FOR ALL OF US.

Winter break means “a time to be with family.” If your home is not a safe place, your family is gone, or maybe your uncle is an asshole and he’s sleeping in your room during his visit, or God help us if it’s WORSE than any of that - the Holidays aren’t going to be kind to you as a teenager. As teachers, we can get so caught up on what needs to be done in the classroom, we can forget what needs to be done in order for there to be a class at all.

Give your students the grace they need during such a difficult season.

Another important reason to know your students is in case of an emergency. You may find yourself in the position where it’s necessary to call DSS or a clinic. If a student doesn’t feel that you’re a safe resource, then whatever is going on at “home” dealing with abuse may never come to light until it’s too late.

AT THE BOTTOM YOU WILL FIND A FREE ESSENTIAL ROSTER SHEET TO HELP YOU SET A GOAL TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS BETTER.

CABIN FEVER

Not all reasons for winter break freak out are troubling ones. Sometimes it’s just being stuck indoors without being able to see friends. Here’s a few tips for getting out this excited energy to be back.

START WITH A PHYSICAL EXERCISE
Improv exercises are great ways to get out energy. There’s tons of resources online, you can just google improv class games, or here’s an easy one to do. PICTURE FRAME: Have a set of flashcards with different scenarios “weekend at the beach,” “party with friends,” “trip to the mall” etc. Call out each scenario and have students reenact the scenario until you yell “FREEZE!” and they have to freeze in the action they’re in.
IMPLEMENT A PHYSICAL ASPECT INTO YOUR LESSON PLAN
If you’re studying History or Classic Literature, pick a moment in time and have your students reenact the scene. If it’s math, have students stand up and group together to show a physical representation of the math problem. Get creative and make it fun, not only will they get out that energy, but they’ll be more receptive to the lesson!
TAKE IT OUTSIDE
Depending on where you’re teaching, this might be difficult - but if weather and administration allows, take your students outside for today’s lesson. Sometimes when energy is high, they can relax more in an open space than a classroom.

BREATHE, IT WILL PASS

If you’ve been teaching a long time, you know that the classroom energy changes day to day. Don’t get stressed out and panicked about students returning, be in the peace of understanding, use creative classroom strategies to be prepared. YOU GOT THIS.

THEY NEED YOU. In so many ways. And when it comes to winter break, they need teachers who will try to empathize, understand and give them tools to deal with what is going on in their bodies. They need you to be confident, caring and aware.

TEACHER SUPPORT DOES EXIST

If you’re struggling in the classroom or with a particular student - support is available.

Some of the things I recommend is starting your own Teachers Supporting Teachers group. You can do this on facebook, face to face meetings or conference calls. If the administration at your school is not able to give you the support you need, don’t just stop there. Seek it out. There are forums online and websites that can help. Just make sure when you do that you’re keeping your students confidential.

You can always reach out to me via email: shanemanierart@gmail.com for some advice or to bounce around ideas for the classroom.