For the BCBAs Walking Back Into School This August
The start of the school year feels different when you’re a BCBA.
There’s no classroom to decorate, no bulletin boards to staple, no supply list to double-check. Your desk might not even be in the same building every day. Instead, you’re starting the year with a calendar full of meetings, a notebook of student names you haven’t met yet, and a mental list of systems you want to put in place before the first behavior spike hits.
But here’s the thing — while you might not be arranging desks or labeling cubbies, you are setting the stage. You’re creating the plans, building the relationships, and laying the groundwork that will shape how students, staff, and classrooms function all year long. And that behind-the-scenes work? It matters more than most people will ever realize.
This time of year is full of possibility. It’s a clean slate — for the students we serve, the teams we coach, and the goals we set for ourselves.
It’s the chance to:
Build relationships before you build behavior plans.
Lead with collaboration, not just consultation.
Show that behavior support isn’t about “fixing” students — it’s about creating environments where they can thrive.
Yes, there will be challenges. There will be days when the to-do list grows faster than you can cross things off. When the data is messy, the behaviors are big, and the meetings feel endless. But there will also be moments that make it all worth it — the kind that remind you why you chose this work in the first place.
You are here to make things better, even if it’s in ways others don’t always see. You’re planting seeds in August that may not bloom until May. And even when you can’t see the results right away, your presence is part of the story of this school year.
So as the buses roll in and the first bells ring, take a deep breath.
You are ready.
Your presence matters.
And the work you do — even on the toughest days — changes lives.
P.S.
If you want support, fresh ideas, and a community of other BCBAs walking this same path, The Behavior Lounge is here for you. It’s where we share real-world strategies, editable tools, and mentorship that makes this job feel a little less heavy — and a lot more connected.
