The first few weeks of school have flown by, marking the beginning of my eighteenth year in education. With each new year, I’ve grown to appreciate the whirlwind of emotions accompanying it—nervousness, excitement, and curiosity that ripple through students and staff. The days leading up to the first bell are often more daunting than the first day itself. Doubts creep in: Is my classroom ready? Is my first day’s lesson plan solid? Am I mentally prepared to meet over a hundred new faces, each eager and apprehensive about a new year, a new grade, and new teachers?
A familiar wave washes over me every year—here we go again; it will be a long haul. It’s not dread but an acknowledgment of the grind ahead, navigating pre-teens and young teenagers’ ever-changing attitudes and aptitudes.
The school year starts at breakneck speed and rushes past like a bullet train—until April. April feels like the longest month, with no holidays, no breaks, and anxiety ramping up as we inch closer to the end. In the same way, I marvel at how quickly December 31st arrives. I wonder where the time went by the last week of May when the school year is nearly over. It’s a reminder that life, like the school year, passes in the blink of an eye. One minute, kids are just starting elementary school; the next, they’re walking across the stage at graduation. “Life is fleeting” is more than just an adage—it’s a truth that underscores the importance of seizing each moment.
Recognizing how quickly time slips away should inspire us to make every second count. It’s a measure by which we should judge our lives. Are we building up or tearing down? Speaking life or spreading negativity? Are we creating or consuming? Caring for others or turning a blind eye?
It’s essential to carve out time to have fun, be silly, laugh, relax, and recharge. These moments aren’t just a break from the grind, though—they’re necessary for giving us the energy, clarity, and focus to return to our work purposefully. Hopefully, that work will be meaningful, not just to us but to those we impact. It’s work that we can only do for so long. Because before we know it, it’s over just like every school year.