Welcome back to The Stellar Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re kicking off the back-to-school season with a Dear Stellar Teacher conversation that’s all about getting ready for the new year. Whether you’re feeling excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, we’re here to cheer you on and help you find your balance as you dive into the chaos of back-to-school preparations. Emily and I chat through the pressures that come with this time of year—like trying to make everything perfect before the first day—and share our best advice for navigating the madness without burning yourself out.

This episode is packed with tips on managing your time, setting priorities, and most importantly, taking care of yourself as you prepare for the year ahead. We’ll talk about how it’s okay if you’re not 100% ready when your students walk through the door, and why finding joy in what you do—whether it's sticking to old routines or trying something new—is key to staying energized throughout the year.

We also get into some fun topics like our latest book recommendations (because every teacher deserves a good read!) and a little reminder to not compare yourself to others, whether it’s your colleagues or Instagram classroom influencers. The most important thing is that you do what works best for you and your students. So grab your coffee (or whatever keeps you going), and tune in for this back-to-school pep talk. You’ve got this!

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To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode264.