From the Sandlot to the final days of sleeping in, professional development meetings that function as a black hole of time and space, to the first week of school – this is all things August. The teacher truths come pouring out of my ears as steam of frustration, my eyes as tears of overwhelm leak out, and my heart of tales needed to be told. Happy first week of school!

Teacher Truth #4 The Start is Surreal

After sitting in purgatory, I mean professional development, starting with the kids feels like a relief. Just now, I wonder if this is an intentional tactic. For leaders to intentionally waste our time and use creative torture tactics to make our teaching battle seem like a breeze in comparison. A little dramatic, but I teach 5th grade darling, drama happens to be my thing.

Students are typically so asleep the first week that they are lovely little obedient students, with some exciting exceptions of course. The first week is the most dreamlike, everyone waking up to realize that the cycle and routines of school have started again. It can all feel so strange, one day it is summer and the next you’re sitting inside all day following the directions of some wild woman.

If it starts to feel real and hard and much different the second week, know that you are not alone. The start to the school year is the longest period of time and yet faster than a student losing a pencil. It starts to get real, which can be both daunting and exciting.

Teacher Truth #5 There is Always Potential for Magic

Some years are magic, and some you just have to make it through. Before the start of this year, based off of the previous teacher’s constant complaints, I was truly worried about this year. Turns out, I was completely and utterly mistaken. I hope I can learn this lesson for other teachers to come. Never base your expectations for one class based off of previous years. Give them a fresh start, they deserve it.

Teacher Truth #6 Maybe No One Can Stop

Every inch of the walls are covered with TVs and the beers are two for $10 with delicious pretzels and appetizers. That’s right, it’s Friday teacher happy hour – a cult classic. Nothing like limping to the finish line or driving with the hope to discuss the latest tea from others. “How do you turn your mind off from school at night?” I ask. This! A teacher laughs, pointing to her drink as others chuckle and nod along in agreement.

How do you stop thinking about school, outside of school? Every teacher I have asked so far, a total of 6 data points to date, has said something along the lines of – I don’t. Isn’t that crazy? Am I crazy for thinking that’s crazy? What’s crazy is how so many of us continue to function in this system of insanity.

See you crazy kids next month.