By the end of a long school day, most of us are more than ready to head home. If you’re like me, you’ve given your best all day and are eager to recharge. But I’ve found that taking just a few minutes at the end of the day to complete a “closing shift” routine can set me up for a smoother, more productive tomorrow. Here’s how I wrap up my day to lighten my future workload and make mornings as stress-free as possible!
What Is a Closing Shift?
A “closing shift” in teaching is much like the end-of-day routines you’d see in a restaurant or store. It’s a simple routine that wraps up daily tasks, leaving you prepared for the next day. By setting aside 10-15 minutes before I leave, I can walk in the next morning ready to go, without scrambling to organize or check what I might have forgotten.
Here’s what my closing shift looks like:
1. Update My Parent Communication Log
Staying in touch with parents is critical, especially in a special education setting. If I’ve emailed, spoken with, or met any parents during the day, I make sure to log these interactions in my parent communication log. This doesn’t have to take long—just a quick note about the topic and any action steps is enough. Keeping this log up-to-date means I have a record of our conversations and can easily track follow-ups. Plus, when it’s time for progress reports or IEP updates, all of my notes are right at my fingertips.
Get a copy of my parent communication log in the Freebie Library!
2. Update My Accommodation Tracker
One of my key responsibilities as a special education teacher is to ensure that students receive their required accommodations. At the end of each day, I review my accommodation tracker to make sure that I’ve added all the accommodations that were provided each day and any notes are documented. This small step allows me to stay on top of tracking accommodations and to catch any oversights or issues. It’s so much easier to stay on top of it instead of having to play catch up weeks later! Having an updated accommodation tracker is also a great help if questions come up in team meetings or with parents.
Get a copy of my accommodation tracker in the Freebie Library!
3. Set Up for Tomorrow’s Classes
To start my day with ease, I lay out everything I’ll need for my first and second classes. I have my planning period during the third hour, so I like to have everything ready to go for my classes before my prep time. This includes:
- Any copies ready to go
- My daily agenda for Google Classroom
- Quick notes on key points I want to remember, like reminders or specific students to check in on
By preparing my materials in advance, I can start each day without scrambling, knowing that my first two classes are ready to run smoothly. This little bit of end-of-day prep buys me time and focus in the morning, which means I can fully use my planning period later to tackle other tasks.
Benefits of a Closing Shift Routine
Taking a few minutes to wrap up with a closing shift has made a huge difference in my workload management. Before I started this routine I felt rushed in the mornings trying to get ready, and felt like could never catch up, so I was already stressed before school even started! Not only does this routine help me stay organized, but it also reduces the stress of starting each day. Here’s why I love this routine:
- Less Stress in the Morning: Everything is in place, so I can jump into my first classes without having to rush.
- Consistent Record-Keeping: My parent communication log and accommodation tracker are always up-to-date, making it easy to stay organized and provide accurate reports when needed.
- More Efficient Prep Time: Since my first two classes are set up, I can use my prep hour for planning or grading instead of last-minute scrambling.
Closing Shift: Small Routine, Big Impact
A closing shift may seem simple, but it has a big impact on my ability to work smarter, not harder. By wrapping up my day with this routine, I set myself up for a smoother, more productive start the next day—and I leave work knowing that I’m ready to tackle whatever tomorrow brings. If you’re looking to manage your workload and reduce stress, give a closing shift a try. It’s a small commitment with a huge payoff!
