You’ve Done Wonders…

The teacher who had my classroom before I moved in stopped by for the first time since he moved out in the summer. (It’s amazing how some staff members rarely venture out of their wing to see the rest of the school! I, myself, can be guilty of this.) As he peeked in the door, his eyes popped. “Wow!” he said, “You’ve done wonders with this room!”

“Thank you!” I replied, thinking to myself: Oh, my friend, you have no idea how happy you have made me with that single statement.

“Yeah,” he added, “Well… you saw it before.” And with that, he gave me a smile and headed back to the first floor.

I am insanely proud of my room, and while I know it’s not perfect, I feel like I’ve been able to do a lot with what I was given. When I came on the scene, the room was set up in long, straight rows, with little more than a giant chalkboard, graffiti-ridden bare bulletin board, and beige walls.

This is what it looks like now, complete with Semester Two improvements!

Message Board

Full View of Class Arrangement, “Circle of Rows.” This was a new design that I came up with to keep me always within three desks of any student, plus it makes it easier for them to see both the chalkboard and the projection screen, which are on different walls, without their views being obscured.

Plus it gives TONS of space in the middle for me to roam around in as I lecture.

Ask and ye shall recieve–I finally got my laptop and projector, which lets me do Powerpoints, video clips, interactive internet stuff, and more! AWESOME.

I keep this guy by my desk to remind myself that not only do I have a cool job, but I also get PAID to do it.

Supply closet, with some nice images!

Publication wall for student work.

Every morning, I gather my things on a sunshiny table, look out the window at the pine tree, and beyond that, the city streets. I take a deep breath, smile, and get ready for another day!