Every October, nature reminds us of cycles.
In the northern hemisphere, leaves fall and schools are well underway; in the southern hemisphere, blossoms announce new life. October is a month of settling into rhythms — and also of remembering that every day offers a fresh start and an opportunity to begin again.
The word renewal carries both comfort and challenge. To renew is not simply to repeat; it is to bring fresh energy to what already exists. The poet Rainer Maria Rilke once wrote, “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” While Rilke spoke of the year ahead, this sentiment belongs to every teacher’s day because classrooms are full of things that have never been. A new question. A new spark of understanding. A new opportunity to see a student differently.
In education, beginnings matter. First impressions with learners; the first page of a book; the first attempt at a problem. These ‘firsts’ set the tone.
Equally, the renewed beginning matters. The second chance; the revised plan; the renewed patience. Aristotle suggested that “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” For teachers, renewal is the habit of beginning again, with grace for ourselves and for our students.
This month’s challenge is to consider what beginnings look like in your own practice. Renewal does not require grand gestures. It may be found in trying a new approach to a lesson, pausing to listen more deeply to a student, or choosing to see yourself with kinder eyes. Renewal is about small shifts that lead to lasting change.
Teachers often carry the invisible weight of expectations; deadlines; the emotional lives of others. Renewal invites us to set some of this weight down. It asks us: What could I release to make space for something new?
In the poetic words of Rainer Maria Wilke: “Feel how your breathing makes more space around you.” In and out. Stale air out, fresh air in. Cycles. Renewal is not just professional; it is deeply personal.
As we step into October, let this be a month of beginnings — of seeing your work, your students and yourself with fresh eyes. Renewal is not about perfection. It is about possibility and potential.
Every sun rise is a cyclical reminder that beginnings are built into the fabric of life. May you embrace renewals and beginning with courage, humility and joy.
Don’t wait to take care of yourself. Your wellbeing matters today. Enrol now:
Overcoming Overwhelm: A Teacher’s Path to Wellbeing
© Gaynor Clarke, October 2025
Gaynor Clarke
B.Ed (Teaching), Cert Tertiary Teaching, PGDip Ed, MEd Leadership
Reach.Teach.Lead.
Reach Education Ltd
Teacher Leadership Mentoring and Life Coaching. Personal and Professional Development.
Gaynor is a teacher educator and mentor facilitating personal & professional leadership wellbeing outcomes for teachers.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.