SCHOOL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

Every summer, like clockwork, the nerves creep in. You could be a brand-new teacher or someone entering their 20th year—beginning-of-the-year anxiety is real, raw, and often overlooked.

The outside world might imagine us leisurely sipping coffee until the first day of school, but the reality is different. It's a cocktail of sleepless nights, classroom setup marathons, endless lists, and a constant loop of “What ifs?” racing through our minds. What if my students don’t connect with me? What if I’m not ready? What if I forget something important? The pressure to create the perfect welcoming environment, master new curriculum changes, integrate technology, meet expectations, and still be emotionally available for 20+ little humans is a lot. And let’s not even get started on the staff meetings, the unending email flood, or the firehose of procedural updates.

For new teachers, this anxiety is amplified tenfold. Everything is unfamiliar—where to make copies, how to manage behavior, who to ask for help. But even veteran teachers carry the weight of the unknown: new students, changing dynamics, and a constant drive to improve. Each school year feels like a fresh start with all new pieces, and that can be both exciting and terrifying.

This kind of anxiety isn't about incompetence—it’s about caring deeply. It stems from the desire to do right by our students, our schools, and ourselves. And while it often fades after the first few weeks, it's important to acknowledge it, not minimize it. Talking about it matters. Supporting each other matters more.

To any teacher reading this: You are not alone. The nerves you feel mean you’re showing up with heart. Take a deep breath, lean on your community, and remember—some of the best school years begin with shaky hands and a hopeful heart.

You’ve got this. Even if your hands are full of sticky notes and Expo markers. 💛