Phew. September always feels like a settling, a grounding, a big and happy sigh, because it means the seasons are changing. Leaves will start erupting with color, meals will become cozier, iced coffees will become hot, and the clothing shift begins. 

Maybe it’s because I’ve grown up in New England or maybe it’s just in my nature, but I love the changing of seasons, and Summer to Fall is one of my favorites. I am so happy to be in September.

Summer as always felt quick and busy and full. My son met some big milestones - turning O N E, learning to walk, starting to say words (and honestly building a language of his own, haha). We saw a lot of family, we took a few big trips, and we spent a lot of time exploring our backyard and playing around the lake. I can say honestly that we took advantage of the abundant sunlight and the longer, lighter days. We grew yummy veggies and ate a lot of Greek salads. I planted Dahlias for the first time, and this brought some really bright colors to our gardens and indoor vases. I reinvested in running, and set some big goals. We frequented our local farm stand and had many play dates and coffee walks. It was a really great summer, but I am so happy to be here, about to enter my most favorite season of all.

Moving into this month felt like we caught a tailwind. As a family, we opened the month with a big trip abroad, and without even realizing it we were already halfway through the month when we returned. When we left it still felt like summer, but upon returning the mums were out, our community is in sweaters, layers, and jackets, red wine tastes right again, and I have seen pumpkins popping up on some stoops. All of this also means that school is back in session, so coaching is BACK - I’m back in schools and virtual meetings are back in session! This always feels so good. I love reconnecting with the teachers and clients I work with - hearing about summer while getting so excited about their goals for the upcoming year. This first month of opening coaching sessions is filled with talks about strengths, values, and what we’re bringing to the year. I LOVE hearing about this because we are usually so focused on our students, that we tend to press pause on our own reasons for being in the profession or what we are looking to accomplish this year (that may or may not be in addition to what the admin or district are looking for). It’s a new year, we get to start fresh, we get to begin, again. 

For this month, I like to think about the beginners mindset. Although teaching may not be new for you this year, your students are new, your curriculum may be new, or your methods may be new, so embrace this “new” and take on a beginners mindset. Get excited to learn, to do something for the first time, and honestly, to make some mistakes and take risks. It’s rare as we get older that we get to do something or experience something for the first time, so this can feel extra scary. but with teaching you get the privilege of being able to do it year, after year, after year. With a minor shift in perspective, each new school year, you get to try something new - it’s a first, again. What a gift. 

Happy September, Happy New School Year - go get ‘em.

Prompts for Writing and Reflecting

• How are you finding yourself right now? The start of the year can feel busy or to some a bit chaotic. Take a few minutes to just check in with yourself. 

• What has felt new this year? 

• When you think of a beginners mindset, what comes to mind? How does it make you feel? 

• Do you like the start of the school year, September, or do you find yourself looking forward to routines being set and everything being in their groove? Try to dig into why that might be. 

• What are you looking forward to this month? 

Prompts for Play 

• Take on a new activity or try something new, so that you can play with taking on a beginners mindset. Maybe it’s a new hobby or just a new recipe - give it a try and see what happens. 

• Make a playlist for Fall: nothing like music to really set the mood. Create a little soundtrack for yourself and set the mood for the season. 

• Create your Fall Bucket List: no matter the season, no matter the month, time moves so quickly. Before you know it we’ll be knocking on the doors of the holiday season, so take a little time now to make a list of what you want to do this Fall. Maybe it’s 3 things, maybe it’s 15; maybe it’s food, maybe it’s travel; whatever it is, jot it down and see what you can make happen in these next few months. 

• Community Build: Invite a staff member or teammate to go for a walk after school, grab a drink or a coffee after-hours, or simply join you for lunch. Community is essential in the teaching profession, and sometimes we want it but don’t do the work to make it happen. Little acts go a long way. If this is out of your comfort zone, ask your work bestie to be part of it as well or ask me! I’d be happy to host a client lunch :)