I know it's hard to believe, but back-to-school season is here again. My social media feeds are full of teachers setting up their classrooms, and while I don't head back for another week, I'm already thinking through my own setup. Over the years, I've developed a process that helps me stay organized, avoid feeling overwhelmed, and make sure my classroom is ready for students—not just decorated for the first day.

I came home after the first week of the spring semester feeling emotionally drained. Nothing major happened. No classroom blowups. No admin emergencies. No parent conferences gone wrong. Just… teaching. The Weight of Everyday Teaching One student was absent most of the week and only showed up for one day. Another is dealing with family situations that make it hard to focus on school right now. Several students are frustrated and refuse to use the supports provided to them, li