Moving on up...

...to the East side. <cue The Jeffersons theme song> More like, moving down the hall. With some of my students transferring to other teacher's caseloads and/or general ed home rooms, I too, will be moving. Out of my rather large Kindergarten classroom and into a more suitable classroom for this coming year as a K/1 combination class. Working Extended School Year right around the corner, I was able to get into my room and take a few photos before building services began working on the floors and hallways. I've bounced several ideas around in my head regarding classroom set-up given what I learned worked or more importantly, didn't work this previous year. I managed to snap some photos and am eager to get in later this week and start setting things up.

One thing I'm completely sure of is my theme: a Finding Nemo-inspired underwater escape. The luxury of having some of the same students again this year and my own love for the film will make this an exciting retreat from typical classrooms (I hope)!

How about you? Are your dreading the return to school or are you eager to get back into your classroom, or have already?

Be the Change.

I recently turned 30 this year and like any milestone year, I came to one important realization: in order to achieve all that one wants, you must BE THE CHANGE. This applies to all aspects of one's life, both personally and professionally. For me, this meant taking up running and choosing to lead a healthier lifestyle, playing soccer and running my first (of many to come) half-marathons. At school, this involved assuming a leadership role, reflecting on my teaching and re-evaluating how I taught/worked as a teacher of students who are deaf/hard of hearing. I learned one thing: be the change.

So, I took notes, talked to fellow teachers, pinned to numerous Pinterest boards and signed up for a summer class geared towards developing my curriculum and classroom set-up for the coming year. As I've begun to log my hours, I realized how much I took away from fellow Pinners but teacher bloggers as well. And so, I cannot neglect my own blog. I have to start anew, blog about my teaching journey and hope that I can contribute in some way as I've found others to follow. Here goes nothing...