The Night Before:

· Relax! There are a lot of good reasons NOT to study the night before Test Day. Marathoners don't go for a run before Race Day, and mental marathoners shouldn't study for more than an hour on the day before you test. Student’s brain needs to rest in order to do its best. Encourage them to read a book or hang out with a friend or two.

· Avoid screen time. Student’s to need to get a good night's sleep, and bright screens (televisions, phones, movies) will wake up your brain and make it more difficult to drift off at an early hour.

· Have a healthy dinner. Drink lots of water and load up with complex carbohydrates, just like marathon runners do: potatoes, pasta, and rice are good choices here, as well as protein and vegetables.

· Organize their bag for Test Day. The night before is the time to put your ID and other gear in a bag by the door.

· Make a plan to get to school on time.

Test Morning:

· Students should wake up early and have a healthy breakfast. Here are a few good choices: eggs, toast, cereal, bagel, fruit, juice, cheese, milk.

· If they drink coffee or tea, then they should stick to their routine. If they don't drink a caffeinated beverage every day, though, Test Day isn't the time to start. They need calm, slow-burning, consistent energy today.

· Get to the test site early.

· When they get to the test site, they should try to steer clear of nervous people. They don't need their anxious energy rubbing off on them!

As testing fast approaches, I find it important to take a moment to reflect on all the progress students have made this year and celebrate them! This includes disconnecting from electronics and playing traditional board games.

My name is Mrs. Tolman and I am the 9th Grade AVID teacher. I come from a family of educators who firmly believed that an education never ends.
During the summer of 2021, I was certified as a Yoga Instructor with Breathe for Change. A program that is designed to create Social Emotional Learning Facilitators and teaches how to guide trauma informed yoga. We have successfully been able to bring yoga into our campus and currently offer five yoga classes before and after school. It has been amazing to see the practice come to fruition on our campus.
I have completed my Masters of Science Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, along with the Integrated Leadership Principal Preparation Program.

I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. I am also serving as a Teach Plus intern for the 2021-2022 school year.

Email: lmteran@bisd.us
Website: www.TaughtbyTolman.com
Location: Rivera Early College High School, Ruben M Torres Boulevard, Brownsville, TX, USA
Phone: (956) 831-8700
Twitter: @tolmansclass