Classroom Setup

After moving back home from camp I was finally able to start working on my classroom. I spent a lot of the summer on Pinterest trying to decide on a theme and different things to add to my class. I was fortunate to have completed my student teaching on a US military base in England. I love love love traveling and wanted to incorporate that in my room somehow; thats how a landed on the idea of a Road Trip Theme.

I got these awesome background papers from SchoolGirl Style. She has lots of wonderful ideas and great products!

I had some wonderful friends at camp help me with this palette. I serially couldn't have done it without them! They helped me sand and paint it, they are such rockstars. 

I cut out shapes from maps to make some window decor. 

This is one of my favorite things; our calendar area! 

On the tables there are cup holders from McDonalds. In the cups are the students pencils, glue, scissors, and crayons. 

And It Begins

A little bit of background...

This past summer I worked at a camp, Make Promises Happen. It is a camp for children, young adults, and adults with special needs. This camp seriously rocks, I can't say it enough. Each camper is paired up with a counselor to hang out with for the week or weekend. We have archery, paintball, ropes course, swimming, hay rides, dances, fishing, and boating; the list goes on! The activities are all made accessible to the campers, even ones in wheelchairs. SO stinking cool. 

While away at camp I was nervous about finding a job since camp wasn't in my home town. I filled out many applications prior to leaving and drove home many times to attend job fairs. I was fortunate enough to score a second interview in early June! 

As the interview concluded, they told me they would call me back within a few days to let me know if I was selected. Well, they ended up calling me about 5 minutes after I left and offered me the first grade position! 

About a week later i drove back home and signed my paperwork and got my ID badge. It was official!

I contacted my principal and was able to go up and see my classroom that day as well. During the interview I did not get a chance to tour the school or to see any of the classrooms. They failed to mention that my classroom was only 2 years old and BEAUTIFUL. When I walked in for the first time I was so surprised. There was so much space and empty walls to work with, I even had a magical storage closet! I couldn't wait to start decorating!