“Bad news: You’re growing, and it’s uncomfortable.

Good news: It’s uncomfortable, but you’re growing.”

— Rachel Wolchin

Even after 19 years in education, the start of a new school year still brings a mix of emotions—daunting, scary, unfamiliar, and, yes, uncomfortable. Can you relate? In the days leading up to my return, my sleep is often interrupted by racing thoughts and lists of priorities, all while wondering if I’ll accomplish them well enough. These worries are then compounded by thoughts of the various communications I need to send to colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring they feel comfortable and connected as the new year approaches.

I’ll admit, I’m an overthinker—sometimes an overdoer—a bit of a worrier, and I’m definitely guilty of spinning narratives in my head that don’t really exist.

These feelings take me back to my high school days. I vividly remember waiting by the door for the mailman to deliver my class schedule. It never actually made it to the mailbox because I was always there, holding the screen door open, arm extended, ready to accept the envelope in my hands. This moment determined my comfort level walking into school on the first day. I know my friends were doing the same thing.

We all tore open those envelopes at the same time. If smartphones existed back then, we’d have probably had a FaceTime party. Instead, we picked up our landline phones and compared notes about who had what lunch period. Why? Because we wanted to avoid the uncomfortable, walking into a crowded cafeteria alone, searching for a place to sit.

There were times when my lunch schedule didn’t align with my friends’, and I walked into that crowded lunchroom feeling that discomfort. I didn’t know it then, but those big scary feelings and moments were an invitation for me to dig deep for the courage to introduce myself to new people who were already sitting with their own friends. In some cases, the small talk that still can be uncomfortable as an adult was an opportunity to grow and broaden my perspectives and horizons. 

This week, I had the privilege of spending time with our newest teachers during orientation. Stepping into something new is hard. Before meeting them, I sent out a communication to make sure they knew exactly what to expect. And explicitly told them I’d be waiting by the door to greet them. 

Although my official job that day was to teach them about high-leverage literacy instructional practices—what they are, why we implement them, and how we can do it effectively.

But I had another, equally important job: creating the conditions where these new teachers felt they belonged, felt safe, seen, and comfortable in their uncomfortable new beginnings.

So I asked them: What’s your name? What’s your role? What made you smile this summer? As we went around the room sharing, I could feel their discomfort begin to subside. 

One teacher later told me, “Lauren, thank you for holding the door open and greeting us. As soon as I heard you and saw your smile, it made the uncomfortable, scary feeling of new more manageable.”

Could this microcosm of my day be a reflection of what we all need in those moments of discomfort—someone to hold the door open, to greet us with a smile, and to remind us that even in the midst of uncertainty, we are not alone?

Now, take a moment to think back to all the past versions of yourself. What were those uncomfortable moments that pushed open the doors to your growth?

Maybe you’ve had difficult conversations that still rent space in your mind, but those were the moments that taught you something invaluable.

Did you grow?

Perhaps when you stepped into your first classroom, you mishandled an interaction with a student, delivered lessons that fell short of your hopes, or faced a tough conversation with a parent. 

Did you grow?

It might be that when you took on your first leadership role, you wanted to get everything right, but the people, the mission, the vision, and the systems in place felt unfamiliar. You had to find your way. 

Did you grow?

Maybe you’ve decided to take a leap of faith, moving to a new school district because you’ve outgrown where you were before.

Did you grow?

Moving Forward

As you move forward, embrace the discomfort. You’re  uncomfortable, but you’re growing. Let it remind you that you’re on the edge of something new, something bigger. 

Lean into it, because on the other side of the door is growth, and with that growth, you become the educator, the leader, and the person you were always meant to be.

“Bad news: You’re growing, and it’s uncomfortable.

Good news: It’s uncomfortable, but you’re growing.”

— Rachel Wolchin

Actionable Ideas to Implement Tomorrow

Create Connection: Make it a habit to greet and welcome new staff or students personally. A simple gesture, like holding the door open and offering a warm smile, can significantly ease their discomfort and foster a sense of belonging.

Embrace the Challenge: When faced with new or uncomfortable situations, consciously remind yourself (and others) that discomfort is a sign of growth. Use these moments as opportunities to push boundaries and expand your capabilities.

Reflect and Share: Regularly reflect on your own growth through discomfort and share these stories with your team or students. By modeling vulnerability and resilience, you inspire others to embrace their own challenges as opportunities for growth.