“As educators, we take on a lot of roles in our students’ lives. In addition to teaching curriculum, it’s teaching the whole child because our students are full human beings when they come to us.”
~Staci Owens, 4th grade teacher
The end of the school year is almost here, which often throws our systems out of balance. This year that’s especially true, as the effects of Operation Metro Surge still touch our school communities and live in our bodies.
It may feel counterintuitive to lean into celebration and gratitude at the end of such a hard year, but it’s still important for us to make space for these practices. Gratitude is part of restoring balance to our nervous systems and relationships, creating more resilient individuals and communities. This newsletter shares tips for leaning into gratitude, alongside resources to help the last day of school feel more approachable.
Lastly, AmazeWorks wants to thank all the educators who lead crucial community systems that keep students and families safe. Thank you for the bravery you bring into your work each day, and for shaping young people into community leaders.
At AmazeWorks, we like to lead a workshop called “Celebrating Ourselves and Others” to finish out the school year with teachers. We acknowledge big feelings, lead a mindfulness activity, and take time to practice gratitude together.
We also unpack what’s going on in our bodies when we’re under so much stress. Our brains are prone to negativity bias. We focus on what’s going wrong way more than what’s going right. That’s a survival instinct, protecting us in times of danger, i.e. Operation Metro Surge. When we’re not in imminent danger, however, our negativity bias leads to significant stress, which can be exacerbated by fatigue and poor self-care. And what teacher isn’t experiencing fatigue by the end of the year?
It can sometimes be hard to channel gratitude and celebration without feeling like we’re faking it or ignoring the hard things. When we ask you to practice gratitude, we aren’t making a futile request look on the bright side.
Gratitude is a tool for resilience, strengthening our connections with others and empathy for ourselves. Keep reading for strategies to lean into gratitude and build personal and community resilience. ❤️
“This is what I’ve been looking for.”
That’s what Staci Owens said when she started using AmazeWorks. As an elementary school teacher, Staci always strived for classroom belonging. AmazeWorks helped take her work to the next level without adding more to her plate.
“The kids love the [AmazeWorks] books,” Staci says. “The discussion questions that go along with it really can get the students thinking about not just themselves but each other.”
By bringing belonging to life, AmazeWorks gives teachers their time back. When kids feel like they belong, Staci notices a difference.
“Kids want to be [in class]. They’re ready to learn. When they’re feeling big feelings, they know how to either ask for what they need, or they can take care of it.”
Belonging allows students to feel like the classroom is for them. Then, teachers like Staci can get through lessons without putting out fires. Belonging makes teaching easier and more effective, bringing balance to teacher schedules and student learning. Click here to create that balance with AmazeWorks (and make twice the impact with our $10,000 match!)
There are two different Eid holidays: Eid al-Fitr is at the end of the month of Ramadan where Muslim people fast during daylight hours. Eid al-Adha is at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. The Best Eid Ever by Asma Mobin-Uddin sparks meaningful conversations about gratitude during Eid al-Adha, especially now, as the 2026 celebration is currently underway!
In The Best Eid Ever, Aneesa and her grandmother are celebrating Eid without Aneesa’s parents, who are in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. Grandmother prepares Aneesa’s favorite meal and presents her with beautiful clothing from Pakistan. Aneesa meets two girls who are recent war refugees and notices that they are struggling, so she shares her Eid with them.
This story shares how we can practice gratitude even when our traditions look different than normal. We also see how good it feels to show up for our community when they need support.
In Elena Aguilar’s book Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, she names celebration and gratitude as important habits for the month of May. She also recognizes that educators rarely receive the kind of appreciation they feel they need. To take agency of your own gratitude, here are ways to appreciate and celebrate yourself:
Our 2025 Annual Report is here! It is because of you—our community of support—that AmazeWorks is still here creating cultures of belonging. All of these celebrations are also yours:
Our new Immigration & Migration book set guides brave conversations that grow empathy and support healing. Here are the books inside:
The end of another school year is here, and we want to celebrate the teachers who have made it all possible! Click here to join for night of celebration organized by Black Educators’ Alliance, Elevate Teaching, and Uplift Movement.