Welcome to 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 got paid to come to school every day and have the most amazing experience working with high school freshmen. That was September, and then the calendar changed to October. It appeared to me that overnight, my students became apathetic and talkative. My paperwork demands quadrupled. 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 heck did I get myself into? 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 perfect, 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 from extracurricular activities, and the excitement of starting a new year has waned. So, we are in Shocktober at DMS, and it is very typical of every October that I have experienced since the beginning of my career. Our days are very busy, and the curriculum is getting harder. Students are consumed with extra curricular activities and hanging out with friends. So, as I lead this school, it is important to me that my parents and teachers understand that although there may be many 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--the holiday season with Thanksgiving and Christmas/Winter breaks, and I can assure you that the holidays bring joy, peace, and camaraderie once again.