Then and Now

While everyone was getting ready for back to school, I, like many, was surfing around social media checking out all the latest in classroom decor.  Between the colors, labels, posters, designs, and more I got overwhelmed.  I have to be honest, I was looking for inspiration too.  After 15 years and getting ready for year 16, I wanted a change.  As I've said in prior posts and on IG, it's not what color scheme you have or how many fonts you have, or using the latest code for TpT...your kids will like the room because of YOU!  However, as much time as I (we) spend in the classroom on a day-to-day basis, I strongly feel that it has to be a place I want to enter everyday.  With those dreaded Monday mornings, I want to walk into my classroom (with Dunkin' in my hand) and smile, knowing this is a place that will make me happy and that will inspire me to be the best I can be.  Yes, the little things hanging up don't matter, but in the end: if my kids see me happy, that'll make a big difference in the classroom environment.  Over the summer, I was searching around on Instagram and Meg, from Meg's Crayons, along with another teacher, started using the hashtag: #firstyearclassrooms.  How fun was it to go back and see how many classrooms have evolved and changed!  I wanted to look back at my first year, but my pictures were in school....so I had to wait until I was able to get into my classroom.

Fast forward:  I'm including pictures from that first year.  It's funny to see how the small things like my classroom library (or lack thereof) in the beginning was so small has grown to way too many books!  Just like many, my classroom included hand me down posters, decor, and handmade calendar pieces, signs, etc.  But the most important thing I learned way back then and can still say proudly now: IT WAS MINE!  This was and is my classroom and I was happy to have it anyway with any design!

So, I present my then and now....