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
