(*Teachers Save This Article & Read It October 1) -When the Back-to-School Spark Fades: Tackling the Real Classroom Challenges

By Catherine Patterson-Sterling, PhD, RCC

The first few weeks of school can feel electric. Fresh notebooks, polished bulletin boards, eager smiles are abundant, because it is the “honeymoon phase” of teaching. Students are often on their best behaviour, and as a teacher, you may feel fueled by summer rest (or at least a break from the grind), and there is a sense of possibility in the air.

But by mid-September or October, the spark begins to fade. Classroom routines become routine.

The novelty wears off as students start testing limits, and the real challenges rise to the surface:

….academic gaps

…..behavior issues

….. disengagement

…..and the constant juggle of meetings, grading, and parent communication.

The shine is gone and that’s when the real work of teaching begins.

Recognize the Shift Is Normal

First, it helps to name what is happening. The “honeymoon phase” ending is not a failure on your part. Instead, this is a natural rhythm of the school year. Students get comfortable, teachers start to feel the pressure pile up, and the cracks beneath the shiny surface show. Recognizing this is normal can help you reframe it as an opportunity rather than a setback.

Revisit Routines and Expectations

One of the most powerful moves you can make is to circle back to basics. By now, you have likely noticed which routines are running smoothly and which ones need reinforcement. Do not hesitate to reteach, model, and practice expectation, even if it feels repetitive. Students thrive on clarity, and tightening up routines can prevent bigger issues later.

This is a time also to work on study skills, building a toolbox of skills to maintain focus, helping students understand the compounding impact of screen time overload, exploring ways to manage mental health during the upcoming winter blues and more.

No, you are not a counsellor, but this is the power of social and emotional learning in your classroom which will impact the culture of your class positively.

For this reason, having additional resources is helpful. “Twenty” is a new school engagement and resilience program filled with videos, reflections, and quizzes for students who can solve the issues of six other animated characters struggling with screen time, school engagement, executive functioning, mental health and more. If students are dropping off on their engagement, they can complete work on more than 60 lessons which are pre-loaded on to a learning management system for which they have their own unique login and account.

Also, this program has an entire 14 part module on “Reading for Spelling” for learners who have not even established basic literacy as they practice word families with silly sentences. These materials are loaded with quality graphics so that the high interest, low vocabulary information may cover primary-levels but have high school level graphics.

Order your FREE TEACHER’S COPY  today and receive the entire “TWENTY” program, “Reading For Spelling” and an additional LOTUS (school-wide positive behaviour and resiliency program” together in one click access. Scan the materials from your smartboard for the class or give students their own access upon purchasing copies for your students that is more affordable than a package of pens.

For More Information Visit https://www.softskillstrainingcenter.com

Focus on Relationships, Not Perfection

During the honeymoon, it is easy to feel like you are clicking with every student. But as the real personalities emerge, you will likely find some relationships feel strained. Instead of aiming for flawless control, shift focus to building genuine trust. Small gestures like a quick check-in, noticing a student’s effort, or a simple smile can go a long way in reminding students they matter, even when challenges arise.

Prioritize What Truly Matters

When the to-do list grows long and demands pile up, it’s tempting to spread yourself thin. Instead, identify your non-negotiables. What will have the greatest impact on your students’ learning and well-being?  Your best efforts may be the small actions that have the biggest long term impact such as focusing on literacy routines, building a positive class culture, providing timely feedback, or ensuring students feel safe and supported. Giving yourself permission to let go of the less-critical “extras” can help you conserve energy and focus where it counts.

Keep Your Own Spark Alive

Create systems and let the systems carry the weight. When you have structured flow from one activity to another by breaking lessons down into predictable segments, then students work within the routines. Also, get the students to come up with the answers and lead discussions with prompts around real issues that are important to them such as dealing with drama in the tech world. For this reason, students can give advice about characters in the “Twenty” program who are dealing with haul culture, screen time overload, cancel culture, rage baiting, and all kinds of other issues where reading, writing, and critical thinking can flow from issues that are important to them.

When the shine wears off, do not see it as failure. See it as the invitation to dig in, roll up your sleeves, and guide your students through the messy, rewarding, and very real journey of learning.

About The Writer:

Catherine Patterson-Sterling, PhD, RCC is an educator of 20+ years with diverse experience in all levels of elementary, high school, and post secondary education as a teacher, counsellor, and clinical supervisor. With extensive experience in research and counselling, she understands the impact as well as sources of disengagement as well as chronic absenteeism on learners at all levels. She is also the creator of these new innovative programs “Twenty”  & “LOTUS” sponsored by Soft Skills Training Center and Patterson-Sterling Consulting and Counselling Services.