Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Educators, we appreciate your dedication, commitment and wisdom—all of which make the incredible work that you do year-round possible—thank you!

In this newsletter, we offer activities focused on sharing appreciations to build classroom community, vital self-care tips for educators and caregivers, and more. May is also AAPI Heritage month! Check our lessons for exploring AAPI cultures and heritages through song; and teaching through spring fever to keep learners engaged.

Finally, celebrate YOU with us—joy and justice springtime merch is here and still available! Order before the campaign closes. When you do, you support Morningside and our shared community.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

‘We See You’: A Sawubona Circle of Appreciation

This circle activity invites students to acknowledge each other’s gifts and talents, and the unique ways in which we all contribute to our classrooms and communities, using as inspiration the Zulu greeting Sawubona, which means “We see you.”

SEL Tip: Sharing Appreciations

Developing a practice of sharing appreciations can help build community and shift your classroom climate. It’s wonderful to hear someone say something as simple as “I appreciate you,” and it can be even more impactful with a little time and practice to share something more specific.

Self-Care for Educators & Caregivers

Self-care is key. We can’t be available for our children if we don’t have the energy or bandwidth ourselves. For this reason we’ve pulled together our resources at Morningside Center for you to have at your fingertips: 11 ways to best take care of yourself.

New & Featured on TeachableMoment

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month Through Song

One of the most powerful ways to connect to others’ lived experiences is through music. In this lesson for grades 7-12, students will listen and respond to the songs of three musical artists that identify as AAPI.

SEL Tip: Working with Students’ Excess Energy (Spring Fever)

During the last few weeks of school, we and our students often struggle to stay focused. And yet there is still work to be done.

Try these steps to keep students engaged (and yourself sane) as summer approaches.

What We're Reading

Using Community Circles to Boost School Culture

Consistent large-group gatherings can help students learn how to build strong relationships with their peers and teachers.

By Trudi P. Wolfe at Edutopia

“Life is not what you alone make it. Life is the input of everyone who touched your life and every experience that entered it. We are all part of one another.”

– Yuri Kochiyama