Organize My Classroom Library & Closet With Me | UPPER ELEMENTARY TEACHER VLOG

[@LottyDotty05]

I feel the closet clean out pain. I moved from one room that I had completely cleaned out last year to a bigger room that I'm currently cleaning out this year. 🙃 To be fair I asked to switch so I could have a bigger room, but I'm amazed at how prior teachers don't at least throw away the trash and stuff they no longer use. Also, there has to be a way to donate this stuff for daycares or schools in need in different countries or something. It's like every year there is new curriculum with new materials with no out process to get rid of the old materials.

[@itskristinamoro]

It's so worth it in the end. I just keep reminding myself that it has to get worse before it gets better. That's the one thing getting me through. Oh my, that's an AMAZING idea! I'm curious if there are any programs that do that. Thankfully, we do have a "free table" where we can put anything that's reusable and they mostly get snatched up, so it doesn't all go to waste! Best of luck as you clean out!

[@jessienoke1312]

I love the clip of you throwing the ball to your pup while trying to read! That's literally the story of my life!🤣

[@itskristinamoro]

They're so needy....but of course, never at the same time 😂 They're like kids! You get one settled and the other decides that it's their time to shine!

[@teacherof20]

OMG I so need to organize mine as well!!

[@mrsdscraftdesk]

I agree about going in over the summer. I would work for an hour or so at a time, maybe 2-3 times a week, over the whole month of July to get my room ready for the year. Some weeks I didn’t go in at all. Some days I went in just to get a break from my kids!! I always found it easier, less stressful, and that I was able to be more thorough.

[@itskristinamoro]

It's much less stressful! I will put music on and just enjoy the quiet time. I think the fact that I *only* go in if I feel like it leaves me feeling as if there's no pressure. Because of this, come August/September, I find that I don't feel burnt out or as if I've wasted my summer!

[@eeeeeeee60]

I totally agree with you! I work extra when I want to, and dont when I dont! Also the item falling in your closet (and your expression afterwards) was totally a mood. I had to move my stuff out of a storage unit and omg so many avalanches.

[@itskristinamoro]

So glad it's not just me 😂 There were constantly avalanches even if I wasn't working in that area. I was hoping no one was in the room below me! Haha

[@victoriaLL345]

Great progress in that closet. The dogs are precious.

[@itskristinamoro]

Thank you! I'm so ready to get it doneeee

[@kaitEBee]

I feel like the hording of old materials is more of an older generation tendency. I took over a classroom from a teacher who'd been teaching the same grade level for 40+ years and she saved EVERYTHING! It took me 4 years to purge the majority of the stuff I didn't need. I still have some bulletin board stuff that should be purged, and I have been in that room for 7 years. I'm moving classrooms this coming year and I am not looking forward to cleaning out another classroom.

[@cherylciotti3499]

It is an older generation tendency. I’m one of the guilty ones. Starting year 38 in August and have so much unnecessary items. Before the school year ended, I started to purge. To be honest, it hurt a little but I continued. I’m still in the process. My goal is to retire in a few years and I don’t want someone else to clean out my classroom. For me, that would be a bit disrespectful.

[@dreamcat8919]

Same thought! I've never even had that much stuff. It took me 2 years to purge one room then got reassigned rooms and had to spend time the next year cleaning out that one. It never ends! Then I watch teachers bring in tubs and tubs of materials, sometimes not even for the grade they will teach, and I make 2 trips with my wagon into the room. They make at least 4.

[@teacherof20]

Yes! I have thought this as well!

[@Catfluff521]

I taught grade 5 at a Catholic school last year (my first). I had to leave in April as my father was dying (died in June). I never heard from the principal again. She is now looking, in August, for a grade 5 teacher. The salary is half that of a beginning public school teacher. There was no heat in my classroom from Dec. on (in PA). Some kids were wearing coats. 5/15 of my students got Covid. I lost my sister in December and my father in June. Unreal.

[@itskristinamoro]

I'm so sorry for everything you went through. I think a lot of people, including adminstrators, forget that we're humans with lives (and emotions) outside of the classroom. We're not robotic drones. Empathy and understanding go so far in our profession and can make or break a school's dynamic.

[@abigailkenoyer3923]

OMG! I have always wanted to make some sort of posters like these with famous dancers. Have never though of alphabet because I will be teaching high school/ middle, but love this idea!!

[@itskristinamoro]

Oh my gosh, love the dancers idea! Yeah, I've been 4-6th grade my entire teaching career, so I've never used an alphabet but figured I could use this. I may pull some of them and put famous quotes instead of the alphabet, though. So indecisive! Lol

[@sarahlee1486]

@@itskristinamoro if you do sell these in the future, do you have a TpT store?

[@kaitEBee]

Your fur babies are so sweet!

[@itskristinamoro]

Thank you! Now that they've both mostly mellowed out in their old(er) age, it's a lot calmer around here! Lol

[@thatpettyteacher1718]

I hate shoes too! Not going to lie… I’m often barefoot when at my desk. I keep flip flops under my desk for emergencies when someone walks in my room.

[@itskristinamoro]

So glad I'm not the only one! I'm the same way- if they're not zip-up booties, chances are my shoes are off when I'm at my table or desk! Lol

[@Richkidcarson]

I love the alphabet! I would buy it to put up in my first grade gifted classroom.

[@itskristinamoro]

Noted! I'll share when I put it on there! I'm nervous but it'll be a fun challenge for me.

[@rhoyalt_time8992]

Love the dog.

[@catherinezirilli6570]

Closet is looking great.

[@itskristinamoro]

Thank you so much!

[@henryprokop9170]

I would do purchase the alphabet you are considering putting on TPT; personally I would greatly LOVE children's authors If you did that I would get it, but I could get the ones you are doing for a friend who teaches science and social studies. Thank you. Alicia from CT

[@itskristinamoro]

Hey Alicia! Such a great idea! I just finished the presidents today and can get started on children's authors. Any specific requests for that? I'm hoping to get everything up on TpT next week! I keep dragging my feet because I'm nervous to put my first products on there! Lol

[@SomerdaiSim]

My husband got those same rashes, turns out, he was allergic to our fabric softener.

[@itskristinamoro]

I was hoping that's what it was for me, but I'm not sure it is. I ditched our fabric softener a few months ago just in case but I'm sure it's still in/on a lot of my fabrics. Something in my gut tells me it's something with my shampoo and/or conditioner. When I switched 18 months ago is when this started. I just switched to a new one for fun a week or so ago and the flare ups got worse than when they started!

[@cynthialopez4544]

Your sweet pup is like mine. I try to sit and read or watch something he nuzzles under my arm so I can pet him. So sweet.

[@itskristinamoro]

Too funny! My tan one, Mattie, will do that! She'll nudge, paw, cry, stomp her paws, whatever it takes. She's a hoot! We truly don't deserve dogs 💛

[@lydiajohnson2084]

Do you have a school library with a librarian ? My state requires a librarian with a degree in education as well as library science .

[@itskristinamoro]

We do! With my upper elementary, their focus is more tech than books, but so thankful to have a full time librarian!

[@lydiajohnson2084]

@@itskristinamoro yes I was also in charge of technology . Did you know librarians were the first to be trained in using the computers and internet when it was still scripted? I always made sure my students and teachers had access to books.

[@angelabarnes9539]

Random question.... what is Dusty's job? You often mention "if Dusty has to work". It sounded like a job where he is on call. I thought maybe the medical field. Just curious.

[@itskristinamoro]

Great question, Angela! He manages a locally owned, private gym, and does in-person and online nutrition coaching and personal training! He typically works from home unless he has client meetings or training sessions, so sometimes it's a consistent schedule and then there's times of the year where there's absolutely no consistency (our current season of life lol)

[@angelabarnes9539]

@@itskristinamoro That sounds like a great business.

[@catiemason4957]

Tina hi how are you doing