The first cold snap hits, the room isn’t spotless anymore, and that August buzz has faded. That’s when the real work shows up—and so does the truth about culture. We talk candidly about beating the fall slump and why October, not August, shapes the educators and leaders our students need. We start with the human side: shorter days, less sunlight, and the silent drag on mood and motivation. Then we get practical. From Walking Wednesdays—a simple 15‑minute, no‑email, no‑grading movement break—...