transform.forward Goes Back to School
As we roll into August, a month that holds memories of the smell of new pencils and managing thousands of students and their parents learning to navigate campus, I find myself reflecting on its unique energy. While I’m no longer dusting off syllabi for the classroom or setting the agenda for a division meeting, many of our clients are knee-deep in preparations - and not just the ones in education. August can be like the Monday of months—full of promise but requiring a strong cup of coffee to face.
For many of my coaching clients, August isn’t about a school year starting back up but about starting new roles or navigating entirely different industries - the last two years have seen a significant exodus from education roles. This period involves more than just academic transitions—it’s about adjusting to new professional landscapes and wrangling family schedules back from the chaos of summer. Our consulting projects are tactically timed to acknowledge the madness of this season, whether you’re in education or simply trying to remember what a routine feels like as you prepare for the last quarter of the year.
August combines nostalgia with a dash of chaos. Having spent years on campus, the back-to-school season holds a special place in my heart (and a specific brand of anxiety). Now, as I guide clients through their own transitions, I see this month as a time for strategic rethinking and resetting. It’s a reminder that we all benefit from the structured rejuvenation August offers.
Recognizing the realities of this season for myself and our clients, I wanted to consider what back-to-school means for my transform.forward team. So, I’ve asked two team members to share how August impacts them this year.
August 14 will mark my 23rd consecutive first day of school! From buying my first Crayola-themed backpack in preschool to memorizing my locker combination in junior high to attending orientation for my graduate program, I’ve always loved the excitement and nostalgia of August.
This year is bittersweet, as it will be my last traditional back-to-school experience on a college campus. I’m entering my final year of a terminal degree program and, hopefully by May, I’ll have defended my dissertation and become Dr. Aubree Hughart-Thomas.
As usual, my month is filled with back-to-school jitters as I get into the routine of teaching classes, high-stakes writing, and working on this team. But for the first time in a long time, I’m truly soaking it all in and taking time to reflect on the gratitude I have for the many opportunities education has provided to me over the years. Here’s to one last “back-to-school” picture and new backpack for me!
Aubree Hughart-Thomas (she,her,hers), Research Analyst
Having spent every August of my life either going to school or working on a college campus, I am still adjusting to new norms as I enter my second fall away from a campus-based role. While my work schedule is less impacted by the start of school on a specific campus, I’m still really feeling the August Energy!
On the homefront, my husband is a highschool coach and teacher and our two young children are in childcare within his school district. They have all been home for the summer, but now our family is very much in back-to school-mode! I’m shifting from managing the chaos of working from home with two toddlers around, to planning for busy morning routines and purchasing, labeling, and organizing school supplies… including all 13 of the requisite glue sticks.
With so much change ahead, I’m energized by the opportunity to create new routines and rhythms that will build on the existing routines we love. I’ve found myself reflecting on the previous year to consider what worked and what didn’t. At the top of the list of things to improve: Healthier Breakfasts (How much spinach can I sneak into their smoothies?).
All the changes to their schedules and routines have a huge impact on my schedule and routines. So even though I’m not going back to school, I’m trying to capitalize on the August Energy and think creatively about what I want for a new season.
Dr. Lindsey Koch, Consultant and Executive Coach
Reflecting on the various perspectives of my team and clients, I’m struck by just how impactful the back-to-school season is—even for many who are not starting a new school year of their own. As we embrace new routines and goals, we can align ourselves with the cyclical nature of growth and learning, ready to face the busy, bewildering days ahead.
Adam R. Cebulski, Ed.D. (he, him, his)
CEO & Founder
