Combating the "August Scaries"

This year, more than ever, I have been struck by what teachers call the "August Scaries." It's like the "Sunday Scaries" in other jobs, but this is where teachers go into a roughly month-long panic about the upcoming school year. While this is my eighth year teaching, I have been tasked to take on 6th, 7th, AND 8th grade Social Studies this year. And on top of that, my school is moving Science and Social Studies to full-year curriculums (finally!) from half-year. Oh, and did I mention I’m back in school for my EdTech and Supervisor Certificates? Let’s not forget those other committees and stipend duties!

It can be daunting to think about the school year and what lies ahead. However, I have taken steps to combat my "August Scaries" and make the most of my remaining summer days.

Make to-do lists

I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to make to-do lists! I use Google Keep for an overview of what will need to be done eventually and keep daily to-do lists in my paper planner. I organize my Google Keep by different needs, as having one big list can be overwhelming for me, This method has helped me stay on top of things. Here is an example of what I use - you can find similar templates on my TPT store or just by searching "Google Keep Headers."

Don’t reinvent the wheel

While it is important to freshen up your classroom from time to time, doing a complete overhaul every year can be unnecessarily time-consuming and stressful. If you have lessons and décor that are still working well, great! You can save yourself some time and effort by not trying to reinvent the wheel. Focus on what NEEDS to be done rather than on what CAN be done, and you’ll be all set for a successful school year.

This is where websites like TeachersPayTeachers can be so helpful. Even the free resources can get you started on awesome lesson plans with low stress! While my store caters to mostly Social Studies, I have some classroom management and engagement tools that are relevant to all.

Who cares if you start early?

I believe that working extra hours without pay is wrong, however, I know that sometimes doing small tasks can help ease the load before I return to school. If nothing else, at least get the mandatory SafeSchool/Vector training done. I would never condone working on these training sessions while you cook dinner or watch TV (read between the lines) but if you do them now, it will be one less thing you have to worry about during the year.

*Insert something witty about self-care here*

But seriously, enjoy your summer break while you can and make sure to relax and recharge. Whether you take a day for yourself or spend time with loved ones, make sure you do things that make you feel good. Make the most of your break because before you know it, you'll be back to your busy schedule.