Managing Fear and Worry About Next School Year

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Show Notes:

Fear and worry don’t just show up during testing season - they’re present in lesson planning, when managing challenging student behaviors, and in the quiet moments when you wonder if you’re prepared for the next classroom challenge. As a teacher, I’ve seen how these emotions can surface in many areas of the profession. Managing them isn’t about pushing them aside. It’s about learning how to lead with confidence, even when uncertainty lingers in the background.

Inside the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy, one of the most common topics that comes up is the difficulty of managing fear of the unknown. Worry isn’t confined to the classroom, but many teachers find themselves anxious about future challenges while already carrying a full plate. If this resonates with you, I want to help. In today’s episode, I’m sharing practical tips for managing fears about the upcoming school year, along with mindset reminders to help you find peace during uncertain times. 

Using two real-life teacher examples, I’ll show how fear and worry about potential challenges can be addressed with simple, actionable strategies. Each concern is valid, but by focusing on what’s true and what’s working, you’ll start to recognize your growth and reframe the fear. You’ll also see how making small, strategic adjustments can make next year feel far more manageable.

Our brains are wired to worry, so it’s only natural for you to wonder how you’ll handle the unknown of the coming school year. But every challenge, whether anticipated or not, is an opportunity to meet uncertainty with resilience, lean on preparation and purpose, and trust in your ability to adapt. The next time fear or worry creeps in about next year, remember that you already have the mindset and tools to handle whatever comes your way.

 Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

• Actionable strategies to help you manage fear and worry about the unknown for the upcoming school year.
• A few mindset reminders that allow you to focus on the positive and recognize your growth throughout the year.
• How refining and adapting what you’re already doing can shift your perspective on next year’s challenges.
• Why thinking of teaching as a practice, not something you have to perfect, can take the pressure off and help you grow.

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode: 

• Free Masterclass: How to Get Ready for the School Year in 5 Weeks or Less
• Beginning Teacher Talk on YouTube
• Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms
• Lung Cancer Free: One Couple’s Journey Through a “Lungs in a Box” Double Lung Transplant.
• Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card by leaving a review for Beginning Teacher Talk on Apple Podcasts!
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram
• Follow Dr. Lori on Facebook
• Follow Beginning Teacher Talk on TikTok

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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Related episodes you might enjoy:

• Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap: Transitioning from Student to Teacher (And How Schools Can Help)
• What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Teacher’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
• How to Reframe Negative Thoughts (And Why It’s Important)
• Can We Just Take a Breath? Proof that Mindset Matters
• New Teacher Training Series Part Ten: Managing Your Mindset as a New Teacher

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