Great Beginnings(?)

Yesterday, while Gracie was at Trolls camp, Chris, Bean, and I moved my classroom supplies into my new classroom at my new school. We have had two full van-loads of my classroom materials sitting in our dining room all summer long and Chris was more than happy to help me get them somewhere more permanent!

I’m not going to lie. It was a little overwhelming for me. On one hand, it was such a relief to finally BE somewhere. To know what to expect and to get my hands on my new beginnings.

(By the way, none of the things on the walls are mine.  The previous teacher left them up over the summer.)

But it was also strange and awkward and uncomfortable. I’m officially the NEW KID. I walked down my new hallway and saw names of teachers I didn’t know and it felt a little lonely. Granted, no one was there yet, so I’m sure that was some of it. But even if they had been, I wouldn’t know any of them.

In some ways, that’s very liberating. I love a fresh start. A chance to try new things, meet new people, explore new ideas, be part of a new culture. And most of the time, that’s how I feel about this big change.

But, I don’t know. Standing in that empty room that didn’t feel like home, didn’t look like mine… It was tough.

I’ve spent the past 24 hours busy with ClassMax. And in those moments I’m not working, I’ve been on Pinterest trying to get my ideas together for decorating this new classroom and making it my own. So far, I’ve got my bulletin boards planned out and my seating configuration in the works, too. I’ve requested tables instead of desks, like I had in my old classroom, and I think that will really help me feel more comfortable in my new space.

But when the nerves settle in and I start to wonder, “What have I gotten myself into?!” I go back to my favorite life motto: BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED. And I remind myself that some of the happiest times of my life have been after I’ve taken a chance on something. So, what have I got to lose?????