The Cliff Effect: How to Steady Yourself Before the Fall

Heyyy Shift Community,

We’ve hit that stretch of the school year when everything happens at once.

The term is ending. Grades are due. Assessments (and scoring) pile up. Projects need finishing. And on top of it all, Spirit Week, pep rallies, football games, and the homecoming are right around the corner.

The halls are buzzing, the energy is high… and everyone’s exhausted.

That drop you’re feeling? It’s real.

I call it the cliff effect, that end of quarter dip when the early-year adrenaline runs out and fatigue starts to takes over.

The Cliff Effect

The cliff effect shows up right before the holidays: Teachers feel stretched thin, leaders juggle competing priorities, and the to-do list never seems to end.

It’s not a loss of passion, it’s the body and mind signaling the need for a few adjustments.

Why It Happens

• The adrenaline fades. The new-year excitement wears off.

  
  

• The workload spikes. Grading, conferences, observations, and end-of-unit assessments collide.

  
  

• The calendar explodes. Spirit Week themes, pep rallies, parades, and homecoming all compete for attention.

  
  

• The light dims. Shorter days and longer nights impact mood and focus.

All of that creates the perfect storm for overwhelm, especially when the break still feels far away.

But here’s the truth:

The cliff isn’t a crisis. It’s a checkpoint.

How to Move Through It

School Leaders: Bring Clarity to the Chaos

When your team is tired, clarity becomes your greatest gift.

• Simplify Communication. One weekly “Here’s what matters most” message beats five scattered emails

  
  

• Protect Energy. Cancel one meeting and give that time back for planning, grading or collaboration.

  
  

• Model the Pace. Calm is contagious, especially when everyone’s tired.

Classroom Teachers: Reclaim Your Rhythm

You don’t need a full reset, just a steady hand.

• Tighten, Don’t Add. Simplify lessons and grading systems. Trim extras.

  
  

• Revisit Routines. Bring back the simple structures that help your class run smoothly.

  
  

• Ask for Clarity. When everything feels urgent, ask: “What’s most essential right now?”

What’s Ahead

Good news: the cliff isn’t the end, it’s the bend.

After the Thanksgiving break comes what I call the bounce, the moment when focus returns, energy lifts, and classrooms start to hum again.

That bounce doesn’t happen by chance.It happens when you pace yourself now.

So instead of pushing harder, pull back with intention.

Closing Reflection

The cliff effect is inevitable. Burnout isn’t.

Clarity creates calm. Coherence builds confidence. And rest restores both.

So this week, strip away the noise. Center what matters. And finish the term strong, by doing less, not more.

What’s one thing you can let go of this week to steady yourself?

In Partnership,

~ Dr. O