Last Thursday, I watched little Sofia walk out of our computer lab after finishing her FAST assessment, shoulders slumped, looking like she'd just run a marathon. "Mrs. Santos," she whispered, "my brain feels like scrambled eggs."

Ay, mija, I wanted to tell her. Mine too.

If you're anything like me right now, you're probably feeling that familiar post-testing hangover. We've spent weeks prepping, proctoring, and managing the chaos that comes with state testing season. Our kids are drained, we're exhausted, and somehow we still have two months of school left.

But here's what I've learned in my 22 years of doing this dance: how we handle these next few weeks can make or break the rest of our school year.

The Reality Check We All Need

First, let's be honest about where we are right now. Our students have been in "testing mode" for what feels like forever. They've been sitting longer, thinking harder, and stressing more than usual. Some of them crushed it and are feeling confident. Others are convinced they failed everything and will never amount to anything (dramatic much, fourth graders?).

Meanwhile, we teachers are running on fumes and whatever's left in our emergency chocolate stash.

This is normal. This is expected. And this is exactly why we need a recovery plan.

Step One: Acknowledge the Elephant in the Room

The Monday after our last FAST session, I gathered my kids on the carpet and said, "Okay, let's talk about how we're all feeling right now."

The responses were everything you'd expect: tired, worried, relieved, confused, hungry (always hungry with this crew). But you know what happened when we just named those feelings out loud? I watched 24 little shoulders relax just a bit.

Don't skip this step, friends. Our kids need to process what they just went through, and pretending it didn't happen doesn't help anyone.

Step Two: Bring Back the Joy

Remember why we became teachers? It wasn't for the data meetings or the testing schedules. It was for those magical moments when learning clicks and kids light up.

Time to get back to that.

I spent my weekend planning what I'm calling "Joy Week." We're doing science experiments that might get messy. We're reading books just because they're funny, not because they're on any assessment. We're having math talks that focus on thinking, not right answers.

My colleague Yolanda is doing author studies. My neighbor teacher Carmen is planning art integration projects. The point isn't what we do, it's that we're doing things that remind our kids (and us) why school can be amazing.

Step Three: Smart Recovery, Not Just Fun Recovery

Now, I'm not saying we should throw academics out the window. We've still got B.E.S.T. standards to cover and real learning to do. But we can be strategic about how we ease back in.

I like to use this time for review that doesn't feel like review. Gallery walks where kids solve problems and then discuss their thinking. Math games that reinforce skills we've been working on. Writing projects that let them choose their own topics for once.

The key is low stakes, high engagement. We're rebuilding their confidence and stamina gradually.

Step Four: Use Your Data Wisely (When You Get It)

Once those FAST scores start rolling in, resist the urge to panic or celebrate too hard. Remember, this is just one snapshot of one day in your students' lives.

I've been using this tool called FastIXL to help me translate those FAST results into targeted practice for my kids. It saves me hours of trying to figure out which specific skills need attention, and my students get practice that actually matches what the data shows.

But here's the thing about data: it should inform our instruction, not consume it. Look at the patterns, note the growth, plan your next steps. Then put it away and focus on the humans in front of you.

Step Five: Take Care of Yourself Too

We can't pour from an empty cup, and testing season has a way of draining us completely.

This weekend, I'm doing absolutely nothing school-related on Saturday. Carlos and I are going to the beach, I'm reading a book that has nothing to do with education, and I'm sleeping in until my body naturally wakes up.

Sunday can be for lesson planning and laundry. Saturday is for recovery.

Whatever fills your cup, do that. Go to Target without a list and just wander. Binge-watch something mindless. Call your mom. Take a nap in the middle of the day just because you can.

The Long Game

Here's what I wish someone had told me in my early years: the weeks after testing are just as important as the weeks before. How we handle this transition sets the tone for everything that comes next.

If we jump right back into high-pressure mode, our kids will burn out before May. If we coast too much, we'll lose momentum we can't afford to lose.

The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. Gentle re-entry with purposeful intention.

Your Turn

So what's your post-testing recovery plan looking like? Are you planning some joy back into your days? Are you giving yourself permission to breathe a little?

Remember, we just navigated another testing season and kept 20-30 little humans calm and confident through the whole thing. That's no small feat, friends.

Take a moment to acknowledge what you've accomplished. Then take a deep breath and start planning how you'll make these next few weeks amazing for your kids and sustainable for yourself.

We've got this. We always do.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some science experiments to plan and some chocolate to replenish. Priorities, you know?