Setting up the new classroom

Where to start? Well, this week I went to my new school to set up the classroom and I can say hands down that this was the best year ever for this process. I have made so many changes in my life simply by changing schools and there are so many reasons why I feel thankful every time I go to my new school.

First off, no more subway. I was schlepping bag after heavy bag on the subway for years. All of those materials I had bought at Staples during my big shop had to make their way to a different borough on 2 different trains. Now, I finally broke down and bought a used car. I had wanted one for awhile, but never thought it was practical since it would have been a 45 minute ride and $11 in tolls per day plus $10 for a lot if I couldn't find designated parking at my old school. My new school is only 15 minutes away from my home and involves no tolls!!!! While there is no designated parking, there is plenty of street parking and a $5/day lot just in case.

Secondly, no more stairs. My old school did not have an elevator or dumbwaiter of any sort so everything had to be carried up the stairs (the building was 5 stories). Even though my classroom was on the 2nd floor, it was added stress thinking about the stairs or making multiple trips for things.

Thirdly, no more sweat. I can remember setting up at my old school dripping sweat and needing water desperately (and there was no drinkable water in the building). It was just hot and dusty and sweaty and disgusting for the first month of school. My new school has central air. I actually needed a sweater the other day when I was setting up my classroom library.

I know the building and the commute shouldn't matter so much, but they really do! It is such a pleasure to drive to school, park, wheel my cart of stuff to the building, take the elevator up, and enter a cool, clean, classroom.

This year, I decided to go with earth tones for the bulletin boards. I had taken a class at Bank Street last year and admired how their classrooms were so simple. No clutter, not too flashy or bright. I papered my boards with plain brown butcher block paper this year with a green "fern" border. I brought in tons of plants, including a vine that has grown to almost 15 feet over the years. The room is simple, natural, and relaxing just how I like it.

Meeting my new colleagues

This week has been incredible. I had the opportunity to attend some amazing professional development alongside many of my new colleagues. Most of us are new since the school is only in its third year of operation and given the hiring freeze, all of the newbies (myself included) made transfers on the open market. It has been amazing to connect with everyone and I am so happy (and relieved) to say that I really feel like I have found a place where I will be able to grow as a teacher and a professional.

Some of you might be skeptical, after all, many of us think of transfer teachers as the ones who didn't make it in their old school, or people who moved and wanted to be closer to home, but that is not the case with my colleagues.

All of us share several things in common that really make me think that my new principal has a vision for the school. First of all, we were all interviewed and hired in April (although none of the transfers officially went through until the budgets came out in June). To me, this really shows that he was looking for the best. We all gave demo lessons as part of the interview process. We all accepted the positions we were offered because something told us this would be different. We are all TRAUMATIZED (and I'm not using the term lightly) by our experiences from our other schools and we're not quite sure to make of a place where children are at the center of decision-making, and things are organized (How many of you already have your class rosters color coded for ELLs, IEPs, new arrivals, home language, and ethnicity? You units of study in all subject areas? Your staff handbook? Your schedule?). We are grateful for every piece of communication from the administration and every bit of help from our colleagues. We all either cried or almost cried when we saw our gorgeous classrooms for the first time...happy crying.

I am so hopeful for this next school year. I can't wait to go in tomorrow and start getting things set up.

In my nightmares...

Many teacher bloggers wrote about their school anxiety dreams over the past few weeks. Mine incidentally started the exact same week I had seen the topic pop up on other blogs. I haven't had different dreams, but rather the same recurring one a total of 3 times in the past 3 weeks. It's strange because it's different than my usual---I can't control the kids no matter what I try--one. This time it's about leaving my old school and starting new. In my new dream I go to my new school and my new principal welcomes all the teachers and announces that he as hired a new Assistant Principal he wants everyone to meet. He goes on to introduce my old principal, who I absolutely despise who says that he basically sucked as a principal (true!) and thought he'd give being an AP a try and since I was at the school he already knew someone. I fake a smile and pretend to be happy to see him (as I always did at my old school). From then on, all of my old administrators appear and even some of my crazier former colleagues all working at my new school. In one version of the dream one of my trusted and competent former colleagues appears tapping on my classroom window begging to be let in. I am overcome by this feeling of--- I thought it would be different, but it's all the SAME!!!!---and them I'm jolted awake so thankful that the incompetents and crazies are not coming with me and a little bit sad for the wonderful people I left behind.