Room 734
The school year officially begins tomorrow. All teachers return tomorrow. I've been back already for a week and a half...moving buildings and setting up a brand new classroom. Going back early is like waking up in the early morning hours before the world is awake...the building is quiet(-ish), there's time to just be in my new space and imagine the year ahead.
When I stop and sit in the space, I imagine the students who will call this home for the next academic year. I imagine the conversations we will have. I imagine the learning that will occur. I think about the debates and the silliness and the messiness of finding out who we are that will transpire in room 734. I can't wait for those moments to arrive. Those are the moments that I live for...the reason I love working with students.
I'm not done. It's a work in progress. This is, at least, the seventh classroom that I'll inhabit. It will take some time to live in it and find the best way to arrange the space. That's ok. Yesterday, a friend dropped off some donated furniture. I've had a few friends donate some furniture and I'm grateful for their generosity. It takes a village to put together a classroom.
The world is a messy place. There's good and there's evil. We've seen evidence of the evil everywhere recently. Room 734 will be a place to explore what these things mean and who we are. We will CREATE a safe place to learn and to fail and to get up and try again. We will be LEADers who stand up for what's right. We will work to INSPIRE and MOTIVATE others with what we create and read and communicate. We will believe in the best of people, and most importantly, we will BELIEVE in the best of ourselves.
Room 734 is still a work in progress. Books still need to go onto shelves, furniture needs to be rearranged, bulletin boards need borders...but aren't we all a work in progress? Working to be better today than we were yesterday? Room 734 will be the place where we work towards that goal every single day. Welcome...
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Yes! It looks like a great place to call home! I take advantage of early days too. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI loved watching your new classroom evolve into a welcoming space, and what a great tone to set--we're all works in progress, always striving to improve. Have a wonderful year!
ReplyDeletePS--I'm envious that you're able to have warm, cozy furnishings as those are restricted at my school :(
Ooohhhh, your 7th space. I have at least that many spaces too. Daunting to prep yet invigorating, refreshing as a new year starts. I look forward to what your space looks like for Day 1, and to see how it evolves as you evolve in the new building this year.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a wonderful year! MB
https://maribethbatcho.wordpress.com
Yes, working to be better than we were yesterday for sure. We owe that to our students. Those in power, surely, owe that to us. -- Christie @ https://wonderingandwondering.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteI love the transformation of your room: from barren white walls and empty floors to a sense of home from books, furniture, lamps & pillows. This space is an embodiment of you, Michelle -- welcoming and joyful! Have a great first day!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks good! Teacher don't go back until the 28th here. I am still at the thinking about going back stage, but will definitely be in next week. Have a great year at your new school.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, classrooms like yours are exactly what the world needs now to combat hate through communities of trust and confidence in the learning space. Have a wonderful year.
ReplyDeleteYour classroom has really taken shape, Michelle. I know great things will happen on the other side of that door.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight to see the pics and listen to your thinking as you settle into this new space! How lovely to think of Room 734 and its inhabitants as works in progress. Here's to being better today than we were yesterday!
ReplyDeleteThe planning and shaping of a room is wonderful. It looks like many dreams will begin here. Excited for you in your new space. Excited for the kiddos that will soon inhabit it!
ReplyDeleteExciting! Environment is a teacher too. What you have and how you set the room up shows your values and intentions. You are creating a caring and inspiring classroom. Happy new school year!
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