March 1, 2026           

Dear Colleagues,

We have officially reached that point of the term. You know the one. The mid-term haze has firmly settled in. The winter weather has been particularly relentless for many of us this year, and right now, the energy levels in our classrooms—and probably within ourselves—feel like they are at an absolute premium. Whether you are teaching AP Psychology, an undergraduate capstone experience, a graduate seminar, or anything in between, you are likely looking out at a sea of tired faces, and probably feeling a deep sense of fatigue yourself. Please know that you are not alone, and if anything, this is an annual occurrence right now! 

As psychology educators, we are uniquely equipped to understand exactly what is happening around this time every year. We teach our students about cognitive load, the exhaustion stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, and the reality of seasonal affective shifts. We know the science of motivation and how it naturally ebbs and flows. Yet, when we find ourselves trapped in these mid-semester doldrums, we sometimes forget to apply that same psychological science and grace to ourselves and our own lives. Remember that this collective fatigue isn’t a sign of professional failing; it is a perfectly normal, predictable response to a demanding academic calendar and helping students for whom life outside of their classes is even more stressful than their coursework.

The good news is that we know the rhythm of this cycle, and spring is coming up fast. The weather will soon turn, the days will lengthen and brighten, and the finish line of the semester will begin to come into view. Right now, it is simply about weathering the storm and pushing through these last tough weeks. As my grading piles up and my motivation taunts me with a game of hide-and-go-seek, I find myself mentally playing the chorus from The Killer’s song Be Still:

Don’t break character, You’ve got a lot of heart…Rise up like the sun, Labor till the work is done

Clearly, we are a group with a great deal of character and heart. Keep that in mind as we navigate the dog days of the semester. It takes an immense amount of passion to do what you do -- not only to guide students through course material and requirements, but the many bigger life uncertainties that so many of them are facing these days. As we’ve always done in STP, let's rise up, lean on each other, and push through these final winter days. The "aha!" moments waiting for us in the weeks ahead will be well worth the short-term grind.

Speaking of things being well worth the grind, I want to leave you with a major carrot to look forward to. Gathering together to share our passion for teaching and our students is one of the best ways to recharge, so please mark your calendars for the upcoming Annual Conference on Teaching. For now, here are some broad details: 

• Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Conference Dates: October 17-19, 2026
• Location: Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel Downtown (St. Louis, MO)

More details about this gathering will be coming your way soon! I look forward to seeing many of you there if not sooner. Until our paths cross again, take care of yourselves and your students.

With deep appreciation for all you do,

Andrew Christopher
President, Society for the Teaching of Psychology

Read past letters from the STP President