What Would You Say To Your 

Start-Of-The-School-Year Self? 

It's the last week of school! While we are all undoubtedly ready to make a mad dash out the door after finishing up grades and all the other end of the year tasks that need to be completed, I hope you will at least take a moment to reflect on the year. Go for a walk or a run, sit in silence, write in a journal, or do whatever feels right to think about the year as a whole, but also in parts. Just as we look for growth over time with our students, it is important to remember where we started and how far we have come. 

There is a podcast that I often listen to that is hosted by Julia Louis- Dryfus called Wiser Than Me. In this podcast, Julia interviews legendary women like Carol Burnett, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jane Fonda, and Gloria Steinem. At the end of every interview she asks the same short series of questions. One of the questions that she asks is: What would you tell your younger self? The answers to this question really brings home how much has been learned over time and speaks to how we spend our time and our energy.

So to you I ask:

What would you tell your start of the year self? 

If you could go back in time to August 2024 and give yourself some advice, what would it be? 

In my case, here is my list of what I would say to the August 2024 version of me:

• Always assume everyone is trying to do the right thing for students.
• Spend more time hanging out in department workrooms than in your own office.
• When students do or say something funny, it's ok to laugh with them.
• Keep a wider variety of candy in your candy jar.
• You are not going to convince everyone that AI is not the enemy of education.
• Never sacrifice sleep, exercise, or time with family.
• Try to relax, it's going to be a wonderful, challenging year that feels impossible at times but that will end in celebration.

Here is another idea, why not schedule-send this list to yourself for August 2025? It could be a fantastic practice to you start the new school year with reflections on this past year. Also, what a nice way to open your inbox, with a message from the most important person in your life.

Have a wonderful summer!