Teachers, how do you feel at the end of summer term?

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Just filled out a card & sorted gift for DS last day at nursery tomorrow. I actually got really emotional at the thought of him leaving, as it's absolutely flown by and I can't believe he will be starting Reception in September!

His teachers are lovely and they've been amazing this year. He has SEN and they have helped so much, I'll be forever thankful.

Do teachers really get emotional when kids move on or is it kind of that they are used to it after a while? I can't imagine it would be easy at all but I'm curious for honest opinions

I've been a primary teacher 12 years and I always get sad about saying goodbye to my class.

The majority of our staff had been in teaching vulnerable and key worker children, so half classes (15 or so) throughout. So I'd imagine it was mixed responses.

I worked at home at that time - role meant I was better to do so, plus clinically vulnerable - and it was weird. A bit of an empty feeling.

The day school closed to all in March, however, was really emotional - for parents and staff. There were definitely tears that day. It just felt a bit scary (it was the unknown) and pretty sad too.

And September start back was incredibly emotional too. It still makes me feel a bit teary to remember welcoming them all back in September 2020!

That day in March was super emotional!

Tbh, by this point in the year the kids are sick of us, the older ones get too big for their boots abd push lots of boundaries, the younger ones are often tired and weepy and it's all just a nassive relief to get to the end.
This year i have worked closely with one child and building a relationship has been key to them making progress. We have done that snd i am fery fond of them. They are going to a new school in September and i will be sad to see them go.

Teaching in high school we kept our 'tutor groups' for five years. When they leave, it's like your family emigrated. Small people arrive aged 11 - they run about and don't know much - and young adults leave at 16 (probably 18, now). Teaching can be abominable but it's a privilege, too.

Oh come off it.

The poster obviously means the teacher sends the parents a message via Class Dojo (or equivalent) to tell them what their child has done or how well they've done that day.

Well done turning it into something it's not.

I feel largely just exhausted! I feel a bit emotional when my students leave but honestly I’ve got used to it now. I remember previous students very fondly but don’t miss them as such. I live abroad and older students often come back to visit (not sure if this is a done thing in the UK) so I feel less sad as I’m sure ill see them again. If not that’s fine too. I wish them all the best.

Mainly exhausted... I mainly teach A-level and the end of term is a bit odd with exams etc. Results Day in August is always tough for those who don't quite get what they wanted, and that can be a bit emotional for me (although normally after the fact; on the day I'm there to offer advice/support).

I’ve two more days to go (we are in Monday and Tuesday for some hideous reason!) and mostly now everyone is knackered, cross and weepy. I work across the school doing various interventions so the little kids have gone weepy, tired and keep
falling out with each other. The year sixes are either too big for their boots, or in one case, becoming surprisingly nostalgic. I will miss the year six kids when they leave - some have driven me barmy but I’ll be thinking of them and worrying about them come September. I’ll see most of the rest of my kids next year still.

Yes, this is how I feel too. I feel happy for the vast majority of kids, especially the ones who worked hard and did well, and excited for them. But I’m not emotional about it, and I’m certainly not crying!

IS it?! Where I work it’s not only expected but encouraged and really appreciated. Odd that showing love, caring and consideration for your students would be considered inappropriate for a teacher!

Not via text. That's what verbal feedback is for, or certificates, or school reports. There's a professional boundary and sending Comms in the evening... Come one. That's barmy

That is not what the poster said, they said "text" and they also said "hugs", every day!

A level results day gets me! They are all grown up and excited about the next chapter.

I offer them a choice or hand shake or hug - nearly all go for the hug. Honestly I well up just thinking about it, I am so proud of those goofballs.

I used to get emotional, but not any more after 20+ years. Ultimately it’s just another group of children I do my absolute best by for a year, then the next lot come along.

exactly, there is always more children

I teach Reception and get really emotional at this time of year, not sobbing all over the place but certainly teary and I do appreciate the significance of them moving on having watched them grow and develop over the past year.

Tired, so very tired. I’m ten years in and it really does depend on the class. Today I cried a few times, we’ve had a really good year together and have become quite attached to them. A few years ago I had a class that I couldn’t wait to say bye to, it sounds sad but I found them incredibly difficult.

It's not strictly a 'text'. It's not sms. We don't have parents mobile numbers logged in our phones! But we call them texts at our school too because that's how they appear on the parents phones when they receive them. And it's a school based messaging service we use.

Sometimes we send them in the evening because, by the time we've finished at work, got home and had our dinner, it's the first chance we've had. Or, after a discussion in the work group chat, we'll decide to send a message to clarify something for the following day.

I've emailed parents on occasion when I've checked work emails at 9.30pm and seen I've got an email from a parent asking about soe.thing for the following day. I tend to avoid checking emails at home.but if a parent or a child is worried about something, I'm going to respond!

I teach secondary, so each year is not quite so intense. But I get very emotional when the year 13s leave. And I think often about all the kids throughout the summer, and wonder what they're up to and how they're getting on after that friendship rift/falling out/situationship gone sour that all went on in the last week of term. I can't imagine any teenagers are wondering what their teachers are up to over the holidays though 🤣🤣

Exhausted.
I'm in secondary so glad to see the back of them 😂

Exhausted.
I teach Y2. A tough school and cohort. And I feel a little sad, because I love them fiercely while they are mine, but I know after 3 years (I am late to teaching, my own kids are teens), I’ll love the next lot next year.

I thought I was doing really well on the last day. Not a very well- off school and it’s not a very card/ present-y cohort, and not of course not expected. I read a card from a quiet, reticent, stiff-upper-lip child that said ‘I love you to the moon and back Mrs X, thank you for being the best y2 teacher’ at lunch time before I went to collect them for the final hour, and burst into tears to my great surprise. Had to explain hayfever when I arrived to pick them up. 😉

Year 6 teacher here. It’s emotional but I don’t generally cry (2020 when we abruptly closed for covid was a different story however! I was a mess!). Some kids I am very sad to see the back of, others not so much, and some kids (or parents) I can’t wait to wave goodbye to. I’m lucky that I live in a small community so it’s rarely goodbye forever. Also our past pupils seem to come back to see us an awful lot! They need no encouragement to come for work experience, fetes, plays etc… I love seeing them growing up. This time of year everything is in flux and I seem to have been hit by a flurry of past pupils recently, chatting and helping out and going off on adventures. I love it

Hugs them all every day does sound excessive. I’d question whether that was really necessary.

I’m a primary school teacher and have been for many years. I hug children if they are upset (asking their permission first) and on days like today when they are leaving.

Hugging them is not what makes someone a good teacher. 🤷🏻‍♀️

In our school as in many, emails are banned between 6pm and 8am. You can "send" as many as you want but they will not arrive until the next morning, and any sent to you will not appear in your inbox

Loved reading all of the different replies hope all the teachers on here have a lovely, relaxing summer break!