4 min read

As the year winds down and the promise of a fresh planner awaits (seriously, who doesn’t love the smell of a new planner?), let’s take a moment to reflect on the insightful, comical, and occasionally sarcastic journey we’ve taken together.

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What It’s All Been About

Over the past few months of our Monday edition, we’ve tackled everything from how to wield generative AI like a pro to figuring out if you’re destined to rule the school as an administrator.

These Monday articles have been your invitation to laugh, learn, and sometimes roll your eyes at the quirks of the education world.

Whether you’re still perfecting your teaching craft or eyeing a leadership role, you’ve shown up, you’ve read, and you’ve done the hard work of showing up for your students.

And that deserves a standing ovation (or at least a coffee break).

Teaching and AI: A Brave New Classroom

In our first Monday series, we dove into the mysterious, sometimes intimidating world of generative AI and explored how it can revolutionize your classroom—without turning it into a sci-fi dystopia.

We asked you to ditch the “no ChatGPT zone” signs and instead teach students how to use AI as a tool for learning.

From lesson planning and activity creation to preparing students for the AI-driven world they’ll inherit, this series aimed to reframe AI not as a cheat code but as a classroom ally.

The message? AI isn’t here to replace teachers; it’s here to make your life easier. And if we can get a little help generating grammar exercises or brainstorming essay prompts, why not embrace it?

After all, the robots aren’t taking over; they’re just trying to make us look good.

You can check out the Teaching & AI Series here:

So, You Want to Be an Administrator?

Next, we shifted gears and tackled the big question: Are you administration material? Spoiler alert—it’s not just about loving paperwork or having a high tolerance for budget meetings. It’s about leadership, resilience, and the desire to make a difference on a larger scale.

Over four posts, we explored the ups, downs, and awkward in-betweens of stepping into roles like vice-principal or principal.

From self-reflection to relationship building, and even navigating the tricky tightrope between being “one of the teachers” and a future boss, this series was a roadmap for teachers ready to take the next step.

And hey, if you’re not quite there yet, no worries. We threw in plenty of nuggets to help you work better with your current administrators—because life is always easier when everyone’s on the same team.

You can check out the Administrator series here:

A Big Thank You!

As we close out the year, let’s take a moment to appreciate the work you’ve done. Teaching isn’t for the faint of heart, and yet here you are, making it happen every single day. Whether you’ve embraced AI, toyed with the idea of leadership, or simply survived another semester, you’re a rock star.

Here’s to a restful holiday, a bright new year, and plenty of laughs (and caffeine) along the way.

Be sure to check out our Wednesday email this week for a look back at the best edtech and research found in 2024.

See you in 2025!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

We would LOVE to hear from you!

Reply to this email, or send us a message on Instagram (link below)! We’re here to walk with you in these crazy times!

Part of what makes The PEN Weekly community so special is the fact that our readers are teachers from around the world! We’re not going to lie, we think that’s pretty darn cool!