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Some days, the weight of teaching feels heavier than anyone could explain. You walk into your classroom already tired. The stack of papers is taller than your coffee mug, and your smile feels a little forced. You love what you do — you know this is your calling — but lately, it’s been harder to feel the joy in it.

You whisper to yourself, “Lord, this can’t be it forever.”

And you’re right — it won’t always be like this.

There’s a verse that’s carried me through seasons like this one:

“The Lord...

Now, let’s go ahead and get one thing straight — I run a very organized household. Or at least, I try to. Between kids, chaos, and trying to hold on to a little peace, I need structure wherever I can get it. So I’ve decided: the calendar year doesn’t run on months anymore — it runs on vibes.

From October 1st through 31st, it’s Halloween Season. Spooky Season. Candy everywhere, skeletons on the porch, and me pretending not to eat the Reese’s I swore were “for the trick-or-treaters.” There’s...

Everyone tells you to have the perfect first day — but here’s the truth: it doesn’t exist. And that’s okay.

If you’ve been scrolling teacher Instagram, flipping through Pinterest checklists, or hearing stories from veteran educators, it’s easy to believe your first day should be flawless. The perfect outfit. The perfect lesson. The perfect class. But here’s a secret I wish I’d known: no first day is perfect.

And honestly? It doesn’t need to be.

Instead of chasing perfection, focus on what really...

By Shantel Patt: September 17, 2025

Joy isn’t a one-time fix — it’s an ongoing practice.

As we wrap up this series, it’s time to think about how to keep joy alive for the long haul.

Building your joy toolkit

• Set boundaries. Protect your time and energy.
• Prioritize self-care. Regular rest, hobbies, and support matter.
• Stay connected. Lean on your community.
• Practice gratitude. Notice and celebrate the good.
• Allow imperfection. You don’t have to be perfect to be effective.

The journey...

Teacher Burnout Is Real — And It's Only September

Being a teacher is truly a lot — mentally, physically, and spiritually.

From the outside looking in, many see the decorated classroom, the lesson plans, the school holidays, and maybe even assume we "have it easy." But the reality? It's barely September, and I already feel mentally drained.

Teacher burnout is very real. And for many of us, it doesn't wait until the spring semester to show up. Sometimes, it’s just a few weeks into the school year...

By Shantel Patt: September 10, 2025

Joy often hides in the small moments — a student’s progress, a successful lesson tweak, a connection made.

But in the rush of teaching, it’s easy to overlook these wins.

Why small wins matter

Celebrating small victories builds momentum, confidence, and positive energy — both for you and your students.

Ways to celebrate

• Keep a “win journal” — jot down daily or weekly successes, no matter how small.
• Share wins with your team or family.
• Recognize students’...

Let’s talk about it — that moment when you leave a meeting, pass another teacher in the hall, or finish a conversation with your admin and think:

“I don’t think she likes me.”

Cue the spiral:

Did I say something weird? Am I being too sensitive? Am I not fitting in? Should I just Google jobs at Trader Joe’s??

First of all: you’re not crazy.

You’re not alone.

And you're definitely not the only teacher who’s felt this way.

The Hidden Truth of Teaching: It's Personal… and That’s Hard

Teaching is...

Being Black in the Workplace: The Politics of Politeness in Every Email

There’s a unique kind of exhaustion that comes with being Black in predominantly white professional spaces. It’s not always overt. It’s not always name-calling or being passed over for promotions. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet, invisible labor of editing yourself—over and over again—just to be "palatable."

Take email writing, for example. Something as simple as sending a note about a missed deadline or a project update turns...

By Shantel Patt: September 3, 2025

Teaching can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Building a supportive community — with colleagues, friends, or fellow educators — can be a lifeline for joy and resilience.

Why community matters

• Shared experiences reduce stress. Knowing others face the same challenges helps.
• Collaborative problem-solving. Fresh ideas and perspectives make hard tasks easier.
• Emotional support. Sometimes just being heard can make a huge difference.
• Celebration and...

Let’s get one thing out of the way:

You can graduate with honors. You can ace every observation. You can have the world’s best clipboard system.

And still, nothing — I repeat, nothing — will prepare you for everything that happens inside your classroom.

The copy machine will jam during your observed lesson.

You’ll discover half your students don’t have supplies.

A parent will email you at 11:42 PM.

Someone will throw up.

On a Chromebook.

The Truth They Don’t Tell You in Teacher Prep

Here’s the...

By Shantel Patt: August 27, 2025

Remember why you started teaching in the first place? That spark — the hope, the passion, the desire to make a difference?

Sometimes, the noise of day-to-day demands makes that spark hard to hear. But reconnecting with your personal purpose can be a powerful way to reignite joy and motivation.

How to reconnect

• Reflect on your “why.” Write down what brought you to teaching and what you hope to give your students.
• Visualize your ideal classroom. Imagine what...

The first week is over. Your welcome board is still up (fading, but up). You’ve learned 70% of the names and answered 6,000 variations of “Can I go to the bathroom?”

Now comes the real challenge: establishing your routine — that sacred rhythm that keeps your classroom from turning into pure chaos by third period.

Spoiler alert: it won’t happen overnight. Or even in a week. But it will happen.

Real Talk: Why Routine Matters

Routines aren’t just for students. They’re for your sanity.

They’re the...

Starting your first years in the classroom can be thrilling… and overwhelming. That’s why Class Is In Session: The Expectant Teacher Survival Handbook by Shantel N. Patt is here — your go-to guide to surviving and thriving as a new teacher.

Packed with humor, practical tips, and real-life stories, this handbook will help you navigate rough patches, celebrate small victories, and maintain your love of teaching. Whether you’re dealing with classroom chaos, grading marathons, or the everyday...

Weekly Vibe:

This week’s playlist addition: “Smile” – Gregory Porter

Warm, encouraging, and steady — like the classroom energy we all crave.

By Shantel Patt — August 20, 2025

The difference between a good day and a great day in the classroom often comes down to habits — simple, positive routines that create space for connection, learning, and joy.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire teaching style overnight. Instead, try introducing small, manageable practices that shift the classroom atmosphere and your own experience.

Examples of positive practices

• Morning check-ins. Start class with a quick question or mood check to build...

You’ve laminated the name tags, triple-checked your seating chart, and debated whether to wear flats or something that screams “I’m in charge.” Welcome to the first day of school — the most magical and mildly terrifying day of the year.

There’s no amount of PD, Pinterest boards, or iced coffee that can fully prepare you for what happens when 20+ little humans walk into your room and suddenly... you're the adult in charge.

Ready or Not, Here They Come

The bell rings. You breathe. You smile. You...

Weekly Vibe:

This week’s playlist addition: “Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield

A fresh-start anthem about possibility, growth, and rewriting your story.

By Shantel Patt — August 13, 2025

Teaching doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Sometimes, the biggest changes don’t come from overhauling your lesson plans or classroom setup — they come from changing how you see your work, your students, and yourself.

That’s the power of a mindset reset.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted, it’s easy to think the only way forward is to do more. More planning, more grading, more trying to be perfect. But what if the shift you...

It’s late. You lie awake, staring at the ceiling, your mind swirling like a storm. The clock ticks loudly. Shadows creep across your room, stretching long and dark like the chaos waiting tomorrow.

You imagine walking into your classroom. But it’s not the perfect place you hoped for.

The air smells stale—like forgotten papers and old chalk dust. The bulletin board borders droop, half-torn. Bins overflow with papers you forgot to grade. The staff lounge? Empty, silent. No coffee. Just a cold,...

If you’re an educator looking for practical, no-nonsense guidance to help you navigate the ups and downs of the classroom, I’ve got exciting news for you! Class Is In Session: The Expectant Teacher Survival Handbook is officially LIVE on Google Play Books — and it’s ready to become your new favorite teaching companion.

Why This Handbook?

Teaching is one of the most rewarding yet challenging professions out there. Whether you’re stepping into your first classroom or have years of experience,...