From Summer Mindset to School-Year Magic

My social media feed is a parade of backpacks, crisp sneakers, and first-day grins. My kids head back on Monday, and Pumpkin Spice season is around the corner, which means – despite Denver’s stubborn 90-degree heat – summer is officially winding down.

I love fall. It’s my favorite season. But this year, the end of summer feels bittersweet. I had a really good one. Not “I-took-an-epic-trip-around-the-world” good (though I wouldn’t turn that down), but the kind of good that comes from small, intentional choices that made my days feel full, light, and full of joy.

I ate sushi by the pool and popsicles while watching youth baseball. I hiked and biked and paddleboarded. I went to outdoor concerts and art festivals and shows. I took a few trips out of state and also really enjoyed what Colorado has to offer. I read really good books and shared special moments with special people. 

So, instead of treating summer as a fleeting season, I’ve been wondering: What if we took the best parts of it with us into the school year? Not the beach chairs and iced lattes – though no judgment – but the ways of being that made it great.

Here’s what I’m carrying forward, and how it might make this school year better for all of us.

1. Be fully where you are.

This summer, I turned off email notifications on my phone and (brace yourself) sometimes didn’t even bring my phone with me. I took fewer pictures. I wasn’t trying to capture the moment; I was living it.

For the school year: Whether you’re a head of school in a parent meeting, a teacher in morning circle, or a leader at a professional development session, resist the pull to “just check something quickly.” Presence builds trust, connection, and clarity. Try blocking off time for deep work or walking the halls phone-free.

2. Do the things – now.

Summer has a built-in reminder that time is finite. You only get so many sunsets, ice cream runs, or outdoor concerts before the season changes. This awareness pushed me to say yes to joy instead of filing it under “when I have time.”

For the school year: That class visit you’ve been meaning to make? That thank-you note to a colleague? That idea for a new elective? Do it. The school year will never feel “less busy” later. Treat your calendar as a place for priorities, not just obligations.

3. Protect your boundaries.

This summer, I didn’t work on vacation. I didn’t cram in extra-long days just to clear my inbox. I said “no” to things that would push me past my limits – most of the time.

For the school year: Decide what your non-negotiables are – time for family dinner, a daily walk, leaving the building by 5:00 twice a week – and protect them. Boundaries aren’t selfish; they’re what make sustained leadership possible.

4. Slow down on purpose.

I took walks without a podcast in my ears, listened to the birds, and focused on fewer projects instead of juggling seventeen at once. The result? More creativity and less burnout.

For the school year: Create space for reflection, both for yourself and your team. Build in white space between meetings. Make room for the hallway conversation that sparks a new idea. The fastest route to burnout is never pausing.

5. Embrace the season you’re in.

Summer is messy. Kids and colleagues come and go. Schedules change weekly. Instead of fighting the inconsistency, I leaned into it; it was part of the season’s charm.

For the school year: Every month has its rhythm. September’s start-up buzz isn’t January’s mid-year lull or May’s sprint to the finish. Recognizing and leaning into these natural patterns helps you lead with more empathy and less frustration.

Your turn.

You don’t have to let the best parts of summer evaporate with the heat. Choose one or two mindsets you want to carry forward, and weave them intentionally into your school year.

Because if there’s one thing summer teaches us, it’s that joy, presence, and purpose aren’t seasonal; they’re choices we get to make every day.