Flipping the Fall Fade Script
The leaves are turning - and so is the energy in schools. Here's how to course correct.
October is a pretty special month around here. We have our wedding anniversary and a birthday (Lindsay). It’s always fun for us to break out the sweaters and the soup pot and cozy up for spooky season at home, but usually, school life this time of year is a different kind of spooky.
October in schools is when educators start to feel that “fall fade”: the back-to-school buzz has worn off, the routines are set (mostly), and reality is sinking in. For many educators, this month feels like a turning point—one where cracks start to show and the weight of the year ahead becomes real. For leaders, this is when the adrenaline of school opening runs out, and accountability starts to overshadow innovation. Many schools have their first parent-teacher conferences, and first PD opportunity since pre-service. This time of year, it’s easy to sink back into the comforts of previous school years, despite the momentum from August.
Maybe it’s because of October being the start for many good things for us, but we see October as a time of renewal and recalibration. Continuing the strong foundation set at the beginning of the year through this tricky time of year can lead to deep changes by June.
A few smart moves this week can shift the trajectory of the entire year:
1. Reground in Purpose: Revisit your school or district’s “why” at your next leadership huddle or staff check-in to reconnect with your core goals. Ask: What are we trying to build this year? What’s getting in the way?
2. Celebrate Micro-Wins: Morale matters. Highlight a teacher, a student, or a team that exemplifies your “why”. These stories build momentum and remind everyone that progress is happening—even if it’s messy.
3. Capitalize on Momentum: Leverage continued team learning or PD time to refocus on the “why” and alignment of this year’s initiatives. Join your teams to listen in on what is getting in the way of implementing new things successfully. You might be surprised about what you can learn.
4. Reflect, Internally and Externally: Leaders need space to think. Block time for a walk-and-talk with a coach, a peer, or even just yourself (and breathe in the crisp fall air!). Reflect on what’s working, what’s stuck, and what needs to shift. You don’t have to solve everything—but you do need space to see the big picture.
At Third Coast Education Partners, we specialize in helping school teams turn that fall fade into strategic clarity. Whether it’s a curriculum step-back, stakeholder listening session, or leadership coaching, we’re here to help you lead with purpose and build for lasting impact.
On the Horizon
If October has you feeling stuck, stretched, or simply ready for a reset, we’d love to help. Contact us by emailing lindsay@thirdcoasted.com or set up a meeting through our Calendly.
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