Hey There Everyone,
I wanted to drop a PSA your way as we come to a close of this month of October; or as I now come to refer to it: SHOCKTOBER.
I first heard the word "Shocktober" when I was a new teacher. I remember that in September, I loved teaching, my students, and my school. I couldn't believe that I was coming to school every day and have the most amazing interactions and experiences working with middle school kiddos. That was September, and then the calendar changed to October.
It appeared to me that overnight, my kiddos became apathetic and talkative. My paperwork demands doubled. Student learning declined, and I had more meetings to attend that I could have ever thought possible.
It was October, and I thought to myself: "What in the what what is going on!?! And, What. The. Heck?" I remember talking to my mentor at the time, and I told her that I was overwhelmed, and I just didn't understand how everything that was once golden, all of the sudden turned so bad. She smiled and told me that I had the Shocktober blues!
October is the month when the "honeymoon" phase of school is over. Usually, the first six weeks is over, and students and teachers begin the real work of learning. Concepts become more difficult, days become longer, literally less daylight and the excitement of starting a new year has waned. So, we are in Shocktober at my current school, and it is very typical of every October that I have experienced since the beginning of my career. Our days are busier, and the curriculum is getting harder. Students are consumed with extra curricular activities and hanging out with friends.
So, as i send this PSA your way, it is important to me that my kiddos parents and fellow teachers understand and remember that although there may be a few tears this month (and you may want to pull your hair out,) October doesn't last forever.
It truly is only 31 days long!
Once Shocktober is over, the best part of the school year happens--> Thanksgiving break, Winter break, and then the New Year.
Hang in there. The Shocktober blues are almost through.
As always thanks for listening to another episode.
Peace out
