September Scares

There are months of the year that really try a teacher’s confidence and patience, and September is definitely one of them. The combination of a long month and the official full month of the school year brings initial excitement and then eventually a little melancholy, longing for a break. 

I will now try and illustrate for you the highs and lows of August to September through memes. Can you tell I teach middle school? May I add, this is from my 10 years of teaching and personally my experience.

August: First day of school

You are ready to show your new students what skills you have mastered over break during that fun PD you signed up for last May, whoops. 

You are full of hope and aspiration and if you’re lucky you are piloting brand-new curriculum to show just how adaptable you are. Sarcasm is at an all time high here, maybe a little delusion too.

You are READY!

The first week, most kids are defrosting from brain rot and unsupervised device time. They are docile, almost sweet and pliable. They want to, at times, impress you in the first week, cute. 

The initial assessments start, kids start to get comfortable, and you get to know how to arrange the seating chart real real quick.

August comes to a close and you have entered into the point of no return. 

You are in it now. 

You can see the shine rubbing off of some of the students and maybe they see you are also not as shiny as you were the first day of school. 

Here is where the real work happens. 

The kids start to lean in, and just like any smart kid, they see just how far they can go with this wise adult. 

You are older and wiser and have profound knowledge that has to be imparted on small brains. But what matters most is kids want relationship building through small anecdotes of care and mutual respect. Those interactions go a long way when the bullies try to push you around.

Buckle up, September

You have probably found your groove in the curriculum and in the daily to-do’s on the millions list. Even if this is your first rodeo, do NOT let these kids see that. 

Make the phone calls home, meet with guardians and make sure to send the good notes too. Make your time with your students worth it for both you and them. 

Plus, you are now in a long stretch from September to Thanksgiving break, so what other choice do you have but to put the small fires out before they jump to the dumpsters.

Ah, the last few days of official summer. September closes with very little excitement. You now have October to do exactly the same as the previous month except, you guessed it, no breaks here. 

This is the time of the year I personally start plotting my mental health break, not breakdown, but planned break. 

What is a day you can take off that will not make you more stressed when you get back and is less likely to harm anyone except your sub for a solid day? 

Take that day! You will need it. You will thank me later.

All joking aside, you are the human that kids want to see every day and may be the one who spends the most time with them Monday-Friday. Make the connections with the students, walk to your coworker’s room and vent or cry, order the Starbucks to be delivered. 

Some months you will feel as time is flying and others are long and full of learning and reflection, for you. You are exactly where you should be to inspire a new generation of youth, and for that, be proud.

About the author: Natalia Rupp teaches 6th grade language arts at Lake Elsinore Unified School District. She has experience in 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade over the past ten years of teaching. She currently inspires incoming teachers through Reach University while teaching a research and writing course. Some of her creative time is spent as a teacher consultant with the Inland Empire Writing Project, hoping to glean from others in the field of writing and encouraging students to find their own creative voice.