The first month of school is exciting – but let’s be honest, it can also feel like a whirlwind.
Even for veteran teachers, those first weeks can bring challenges that leave you drained by the end of the day. If you’re feeling it, you’re not alone. Upper elementary students bring big energy, big emotions, and big expectations, and teachers juggle just as much behind the scenes.
Here are some of the most common stresses teachers face in the first month of school—and some simple ways to manage them.
1. Teaching and Reteaching Routines
The truth is: you’ll feel like a broken record in September. Walking through each step of lining up, turning in work, or getting out materials can feel exhausting, especially when you’ve explained it for the tenth (or hundredth) time. But consistency now saves you headaches later.
Tip: Break routines into small chunks, model, practice, and repeat. Keep a calm tone and remind yourself that every time you reteach, you’re investing in smoother days ahead.
Need some help with classroom procedures? Here’s my free guide!
2. Relationship Building Takes Energy
You want to know your students deeply – their strengths, quirks, and stories. But in the first month, you’re also balancing curriculum pacing, assessments, and family communication. It can feel like too much at once.
Tip: Focus on small daily interactions. A quick “How was soccer?” or “I noticed you helped a classmate – thank you!” goes a long way. Relationship-building doesn’t have to be big, it just has to be consistent.
Here are my tips for building relationships throughout the year, not just at back-to-school time!
3. The Academic Gap Reality Check
The first month often reveals just how wide the academic gaps are in your classroom. Some kids are soaring ahead, while others are still struggling with last year’s skills. That can leave you scrambling to differentiate right out of the gate.
Tip: Use quick formative checks and flexible grouping. You don’t have to “fix” everything at once. Set small, realistic goals for where you want students to be by the end of the first quarter.
Here are my tips for the “fast finishers” in your classroom!
4. Communication Overload
Emails from parents, reminders from admin, team planning, and district updates can make you feel like your brain is constantly buzzing. It’s easy to feel like you’re behind before you even start teaching.
Tip: Batch communication. Decide when you’ll check email (maybe before school and once after dismissal) and protect your teaching block from interruptions. Templates for common replies (“Thanks for reaching out! I’ll follow up after I . . .”) can save you time.
5. Managing Your Own Energy
By Friday of week one, you may already feel like you’ve run a marathon. The emotional output of being “on” all day, plus the physical demands of moving around the room, is no joke.
Tip: Build in small resets. Sit for a few minutes at lunch. Step outside for fresh air after dismissal. Give yourself permission to let some things slide at home during these first weeks. Rest is not a luxury—it’s necessary.
Here are my tips for back-to-school tired!
Final Thought
The first month of school will always be full of big emotions, high energy, and yes – stress. But it’s also when you set the foundation for the entire year. Give yourself grace, lean on your routines, and remember: you don’t have to do everything at once. Your students need a calm, consistent teacher far more than they need a Pinterest-perfect classroom.
✨ If you’re looking for more support, my Back to School Planning Guidebook and First Two Weeks Teacher’s Guide are packed with tips, templates, and ready-to-use activities to help you start the year with confidence and calm.
All of my content is intended to save teachers time and energy. My goal is to make good teaching sustainable while having a life outside of teaching. Let me know how I can help YOU with this quick form!