And the results are in . . .
"Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end."
- Robin Sharma
- Robin Sharma
A fresh coat of paint and a fresh start!
Over the course of winter break, our wonderful Port Huron custodial staff began our room's transformation. We had our two accent walls painted a fabulous shade of blue! Both the students and myself couldn't wait to come back from break (believe it or not!) to see the beginning of our transformation and class dreams become a reality. Watching their reactions as they entered our room and saw something other than beige was priceless. I cannot wait to see their surprise when the actual furniture is here! |
Our own "Extreme Makeover"
The buzz of excitement amongst my kids was electric on the day we returned from spring break. The room was on lockdown as they passed by at the start of the day. I have first hour prep, and therefore no students immediately at the start of the day. I stood at my post outside our incredible new room saying the typical good morning and hello our Fort Gratiot students are used to getting each day. The responses I got however, were new.
"What does it look like?"
"Can't you just show me?"
"Is our new stuff here?"
"I can't wait to come to class today!"
All of these questions and pleas came flying at me, but as much as I wanted to rush them in and shout "Look!" I held my ground and with a smile told them I was so sorry; they were just going to have to wait until it was their hour. The disappointed sighs and groans made me laugh and even more excited to reveal their project to them.
The plan was to have each class meet in the library before they were walked down to our room. It went even better than I could have anticipated. Once in the library we went over what was going to happen when they entered Room 113. They would have time to explore the new furniture and test out each piece. Then we lined up and walked (it was more of a power walk, with all of the anxious energy they had built up) down to our room. Selfishly, I had them wait near the lockers on the back side of the door so that I could walk in first. I wanted to be able to see each student's face as they saw their new learning environment for the first time. I was met with brief complaints and being called out on the fact that I had already been in our new room, but the smiles, surprise, and light on their faces made it all worth it. There have been a few proud teacher moments in my short career, but watching each of them come into my room that first time by far tops them all. I knew that I had successfully made this room theirs; their workplace, their safeplace, their emotional, and now physical comfort zone.
""
"What does it look like?"
"Can't you just show me?"
"Is our new stuff here?"
"I can't wait to come to class today!"
All of these questions and pleas came flying at me, but as much as I wanted to rush them in and shout "Look!" I held my ground and with a smile told them I was so sorry; they were just going to have to wait until it was their hour. The disappointed sighs and groans made me laugh and even more excited to reveal their project to them.
The plan was to have each class meet in the library before they were walked down to our room. It went even better than I could have anticipated. Once in the library we went over what was going to happen when they entered Room 113. They would have time to explore the new furniture and test out each piece. Then we lined up and walked (it was more of a power walk, with all of the anxious energy they had built up) down to our room. Selfishly, I had them wait near the lockers on the back side of the door so that I could walk in first. I wanted to be able to see each student's face as they saw their new learning environment for the first time. I was met with brief complaints and being called out on the fact that I had already been in our new room, but the smiles, surprise, and light on their faces made it all worth it. There have been a few proud teacher moments in my short career, but watching each of them come into my room that first time by far tops them all. I knew that I had successfully made this room theirs; their workplace, their safeplace, their emotional, and now physical comfort zone.
""