Please enjoy this guest blog post from Central Texas Organizers… we can all learn a thing or two about letting go! I STILL have a storage unit of teacher stuff? Don’t tell anyone!
When to Let Go
As a classroom teacher, I was always so grateful for the random things handed down to me from retiring teachers as well as the items other teacher friends gave me that they no longer used. Items given to me by friends or family who thought I could use them somehow, even if it was 200 toilet paper rolls, were also appreciated. For so many people, giving something away is a way of showing they care, and I was always so encouraged by their desire to be part of my career in this way.
However, as I have made the transition to becoming a professional organizer, I have come to realize that although those gestures are kind, they are often the beginning of an over-abundance of objects in a classroom which affect the students learning, a teacher’s teaching and the class’ ability to function smoothly and efficiently as a community of learners.
In order to obtain a tidier classroom, it is important to take some time, preferably at the beginning of a school year, to go through those types of items and decide whether to keep them or not.
When doing so, ask yourself the following questions:
1.) Do my students or I use this regularly?
2.) Does it bring me happiness having it in my classroom?
3.) Do I need it?
4.) Could someone else get more use out of it? For example, is the item better for a teacher that teaches younger/older children?
5.) Am I required to keep this?
6.) Can I make an electronic copy of this?
7.) Is it taking up space that could be used for something that is more useful or means more to me?
After you have decided what needs to go, donate it, pass it on, recycle it or (at the very last resort) throw it away. Allow yourself to let go of items that are getting in the way of true success for you and your students, your friends and family would understand.
After this purge, be very selective about what you accept into your classroom and allow yourself to get rid of it if you don’t need it, love it or have specific plans to use it.
Studies show that students learn better in a clutter-free (or close to it) environment. I commend you for taking the steps towards reaching this goal and desiring the best for your students.
Have a wonderful school year!
For those in the Central Texas area, please check out our website for further tips and tricks on how to live organized and clutter-free, or contact us to come to your home or classroom to help you get the space you’ve always dreamed of! www.centexproorganizers.com
ABOUT OUR GUEST BLOGGER:
I help teachers nationwide declutter, organize and redesign their classrooms. We work together to make their space functional, clutter-free and low maintenance. Both in-person and digital sessions are available. Please contact me at centexproorganizers@gmail.com or (254) 300.7551 so we can begin getting you the classroom of your dreams!
Also check us out at www.centexproorganizers.com
I revisited this post. Reason- do I create this at home during the tough time? Do I focus on how to reach students when/if we go back to classrooms in fall? This is super insightful and a good refresher, not just in August