Gut Check
My First Lull
I have used this blog to share lots of truths. So here’s another one. Mid-October is when I dip. I come on strong in the preparation for the school year. Then the students come in, and I am bubbling over with joy. The first few weeks are full of getting-to-know-yous, so much hope for what is to come. And then there’s the data collection. I love the data. It’s one more piece of information in knowing who the students are and what the year has in store for them. Then there are academic conferences to gear up for. And then… the lull. The first units have come to an end, we’ve hit our stride, and the gap between now and the winter break seems very far away. And that’s when I hit my lull. The weather is turning, and I think it plays on my attitude too. I get antsy. Creativity wanes. And I just get into a bit of a funk.
It’s kind of that same funk you hit towards the end of January when you realize that your New Year's resolutions have fallen by the wayside.
20 years of education, and I know the only way of getting myself out of it is the knowledge that tomorrow is a new day. I can restart things tomorrow.
Ask Yourself
So I’m gifting you the gut check I’d give myself in this situation. Here are a few honest questions you should sit with. They are not meant to evaluate you, but rather to get you to really reflect on what you thought about learning communities and what actions you are actually taking.
What is holding you back from sharing the load, sharing the students?
What can you let go of? What are you willing to embrace?
Think of a specific student you're struggling with—one you can't quite connect with, socially, emotionally, or in a subject area. Who on your team would be a better resource for them? And the harder question… why haven't you proposed this idea yet?
If You're Ready to Restart
Like your New Year’s health kick, you don’t need a whole system overhaul. You just need to know that you’re ready to get back on the horse, and then make a change that actually matches your capacity right now. Wishful thinking be damned. I’ve tiered some optional activities based on your readiness and your capacity:
On Your Own
Say It Out Loud: name something you're stuck on, once a week, even just to yourself. Like this check-in itself, admitting it's an issue is the first step.
The Parking Lot: keep a running list of things you could use another set of hands on. This is your go-to place when someone offers or when you’re ready to lean in.
With One Colleague
Say It To Someone: share what you named on your parking lot. You’re not doing this to be rescued; you’re just sharing with someone that you’re going to stop carrying it alone
The Ask-First Habit: before making a big decision about a student, get one colleague's 30-second read. This action can lead to collaboration and reciprocal support.
As a Team
Bring a Name to the Table: say a student's name out loud in a meeting, without apologizing for needing help. Show your team how asking for help is about putting the kids first… not your ego.
Capacity Check: a quick "who's got bandwidth this week?" question will help everyone at different times. Doing this means your team can offer support where it's needed
Don’t Wait
Six weeks in isn't a lifetime in an elementary classroom. And hitting roadblocks isn’t a verdict on you as a teacher. It’s just a Tuesday afternoon, after a really hard day, and you get to do better tomorrow.
When we know better, we do better.
When we do better, the students reap the rewards!
Note: This post was edited with AI as an assistant to refine structure and readability. My ideas, voice, and words remain intact.
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