Every August, I do something that’s not on the official back-to-school checklist. It’s not laminating, organizing lab goggles, or updating my syllabus font.
It’s picking my North Star… my guiding theme for the year.
Sounds fluffy, right? It’s not. It’s the thing that keeps me from losing my mind somewhere around October when I’m knee-deep in grading and questioning all my life choices.
What’s a “North Star” Anyway?
It’s the big-picture priority I keep coming back to when things get messy. It’s not a curriculum goal or test score target (those change depending on the year). It’s about the vibe. The feeling. The purpose behind the science chaos.
Some past North Stars:
- Curiosity over Correctness – We celebrated wild guesses and weird “what if” questions.
- Science is Everywhere – We connected every unit to real life outside the classroom.
- Build a Scientist – Every activity focused on thinking like a scientist, not just learning facts.
Why It Works
Because when everything feels urgent, I can ask:
“Does this align with my North Star?”
If it doesn’t, it’s easier to let it go without guilt.
When my North Star was “Build a Scientist,” I didn’t stress if we didn’t finish every page in the book. We were busy designing experiments, testing, failing, and trying again… and that was the point.
How I Pick Mine
- Look back at last year– What worked? What felt flat?
- Pick a feeling, not a checklist– Do I want this year to feel exciting? Calm? Wonder-filled?
- Keep it short– If I can’t say it in 3-4 words, it’s too complicated to stick.
Why You Should Try It
It’s like setting your classroom’s personality for the year. Instead of chasing a thousand priorities, you’re following one bright star. And trust me… when things get wild (and they will), you’ll be glad you have it.
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