If you could interview your future self?

Dear MJTP families,

This has been a busy week. With proctoring semester summative exams at school, preparing for graduation, and tutoring for the June SAT, there's a lot going on. That said, I wanted to take a quick moment and share a few things with you.

SAT Test Dates for 2025–2026 Released

The College Board has officially announced the SAT test dates for the 2025–2026 academic year. This information is crucial for students planning their college admissions journey. You can find the dates here on the CB website.

Here's a concise overview of the upcoming SAT schedule:

Note: All test dates are Saturdays, and registration deadlines are subject to change. Always confirm with the official College Board website.

🎓 Celebrating Milestones: 8th Grade Graduation 🎓

Today, I had the honor of participating in our school's 8th-grade graduation ceremony. I am an academic intervention teacher for both middle and high school, so I get the honor of participating in a few events this time of year.

Witnessing these young students reach this pivotal milestone was a poignant reminder of the importance of each step in our educational journeys. Their achievements underscore how foundational experiences set the stage for future successes.

While it may seem trivial to overemphasize the transition from 8th to 9th grade, it's this transition that sets the stage for every milestone to come. How will you build your high school resume? What habits will you build? Will you wait until your junior or senior to buckle down, and how will that affect your college and career opportunities.

Embracing the Future: A Glimpse Ahead

And speaking of future selves, my alma mater McCallie School just shared a video where sixth graders interviewed their older selves. It’s clever, but it’s also a gentle reminder that the long game is real. Don’t give up on where you're headed just because today’s step feels small.

As I preach to my students year-after-year, keep your long-term objectives in sight. They encourage us not to lose hope in our aspirations and to take proactive steps toward realizing our dreams.

We all get caught up in the pressure of what’s next — the next test, the next grade, the next decision. But days like today remind me why we do it. Sitting with my 8th graders at their graduation ceremony, I was reminded that the work we put in now doesn’t just “pay off” later — it shapes who we become. It’s not about chasing perfection or some big, dramatic “aha” moment.

It’s about momentum.