How To Fund Your Classroom and I GOT A JOB

Great news: I got a teaching job!!!! I will be teaching 4th grade in the same district that I was a building sub and a 1st grade long term sub. I am very excited to really "start" my career.

My dreams of decorating my own classroom will finally start to happen in the next few weeks. I am a nanny for two girls over the summer and they are also looking forward to help me set up my classroom. Luckily, I wont be starting from scratch. The teacher that was previously in my room is leaving me most of her classroom materials. That being said, a lot of new teachers may have to start from scratch. I compiled a list of websites that allows teachers to ask for donations and funding for their classroom supplies. These are great to set up a classroom supply registry and share with  your friends, family, and eventually the parents of your students!

1. Brighten Hall 
http://www.brightenhall.com/

2. Teacher Supply Registry
http://www.teachersupplyregistry.com/

3. Adopt A Classroom
http://www.adoptaclassroom.org/

4. Supply Your Schools
http://www.supplyourschools.org/

5. Digital Wish
http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/home

6. Donors Choose
The last website is probably the most familiar classroom registry website, Donors Choose.

Since I am fortunate to have a lot of major supplies I will need from the previous teacher I wanted to feature a teacher from Donors Choose, Ms. Armentrout. She is a first year teacher starting at a low income, Title I school in North Carolina. She is in need of some of the basics, supply caddies, chart paper, and a Time for Kids subscription.

Click the link to visit her page: Ms. Armentrout's Donors Choose Page

I think it is awesome that these resources are out there to help teachers and students and are often funded by complete strangers inspired to help.

Classroom (P)inspiration

Designing their classroom has got to be a future teacher's dream. I have been collecting pinning classroom decor inspiration and have finally narrowed it down to what I think I would really like in my classroom.

I started by searching for a color scheme. I wanted to stray away from typical classroom primary color schemes. Personally, I find them too harsh especially combined with the harsh lightening found in most classrooms. I chose shades of yellow, grey, and teal. They are soft, calming colors that I wouldn't mind staring at for 8+ hours a day.

Sunny Skies Collection

Chic Classroom Style

Cute and Cozy Classroom Decor

Binder cover sheets in the TPT store

Summers are for rest and relaxation and also for getting ready for September. I have created super adorable binder cover sheets and they are now in my teacherspayteachers store.

Get your binder cover sheets HERE!

New on TPT

Hi everyone! Happy Sunday!! Head on over to my teacherspayteachers' store and get your hands on my new vertical 2014-2015 school year calendar. Perfect for putting into your plan book or having on a cute clipboard on your desk.

Get your calendar here!

Interview Season

For most of us, school has ended and interview season has begun. I wrapped up my school year as a first grade "short" term sub (it was an 8 and a half week assignment). It definitely felt a lot longer than two months. Getting a class towards the end of the year can be a challenge. Procedures and routines are in effect but the kids start to get a bit coo-coo for cocoa puffs as they get closer to summer. Now that it is over it is time to get ready for interviews. I have already started interviewing and have made it to the second round in the district. It was a challenge to get my head into the interviewing game. I have a folder at home that helps me get back into the swing of things and refresh myself with questions and answers that may be asked.

On the left side of the folder I have written out how I would answer common interview questions. You can see those questions here. On the index cards I have written out strengths I have with examples of how I exemplify them on the back.

On the right side of the folder I have information on schools I have prepared to interview for and information on school curricula. It takes some discipline but I also try to go back in after an interview and make a list of the questions that were asked.

After the interview, I take some time to sit down and write out a thank you note to my interviewer. I try to incorporate things we discussed and reiterate why I would be a good fit for the position. I think sending a tangible card is more personal than sending an email.

The most important piece of advice I can give is BE YOURSELF. It is said all the time but really is true. If you say what you THINK your interviewers want to hear you then it wont come across as the genuine you. Plus, you want to be at a school that is the right fit for you.