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Friday, January 27, 2012

Show Us Your Teacher Area {CFC Project Week 4}

Tonight I'm going to show you some before and after pictures of my teacher and desk area. I need some immediate attention in this area because it was cramping my style. Now I'm really happy with the results and I hope you like the change too. My room mom and other volunteers even noticed and complimented me on how much more organized I have been since the new year. (Yes, they actually thought I was super organized before but I'll let them believe that and not let them in on my dirty little secret.) 

Show us photos of your "teacher area."
  • Write about what you like about it. Previously not much hence the NEED to change it up! Now I really like everything about it except for that it covers a little bit of a bulletin board. I would love to get rid of the desk but I have to keep it. 
  • How you would like to change it? I really wanted to make a little more room for myself, organize it, and create a clean top desk.
  • What changes did you make to it as part of the Clutter-Free PROJECT Challenge. I moved my desk around so it is against the wall which opens up the room and gives me more space. I re-oragnized all my files, emptied my drawers of junk in my desk. Beside my desk I organized my cubbies. I also threw away a plastic storage container that was kinda broken and taking up space and condensed my literacy games. I made use of my Monday-Friday paper holders. 
  • What tips can you share to help others have a clear work-surface? I am going to clean off my desk at the end of each day. So if papers and extra junk do pile up I'll take the time to put them in their proper place. I think a little cleaning each afternoon will go a long way. I also will try to immediately put each paper in its proper location once it is copied or not being used. (M-F bins, file, trash) 

Before Pictures: 
Not so great because I didn't like this space so I took them from far away... But you'll notice that the area is a little crowded. I kept stuff under my desk (gag!), behind my desk is not clean and cramped, and the top is messy. I also didn't even bother to hang my diploma. This picture was taken at the beginning of the year so M-F paper bins and cubbies weren't messy yet but they weren't visible so they ended up getting cluttered. Also notice the storage bin they are on. The second picture also shows you just how small of a space it was before. Also notice that my word work cart is to the right of my desk behind my rocking chair. 


Okay so now onto the new and improved teacher area:



As you can see I flipped the desk and pushed it against the wall. It now covers a little bit of the bulletin board but it's okay. I moved my M-F bins to the top of my cubbies so I would have to see them and therefore they would have to be oragnized. So far this has kept up! I still have one of my plastic storage bins that is now clean and my printer sits on top. This is much better than having my printer underneath my desk or on top of my desk. The word work cart is turned around as well and the area has plenty of space now. 




As you can hopefully see from this picture my desk top and cubbies are now clean. My M-F bins are organized! I hung up my diploma and other items that make me smile through my day. I have just a pencil sharpener, tape, stapler, sticky notes, calendar, and computer on my desk top now. This is a big improvement from piles of papers and notebooks on top. I wish I had better pictures :( I was going to take some today but my camera died. This is also very sad because my kids also made cute penguins. 

Anyways I hope you have enjoyed seeing the change that has made my life easier and less stressful. Link up because I want to see your changes too! 
Okay now I'm off for a sushi date to stop thinking about kids and school!

17 comments:

  1. Looks great! This is my worst area!! Thanks for inspiring me!

    Peace, Love and First Grade

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    1. Thank you so much! I feel so much better walking into school now and not seeing a pile of papers of clutter!

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  2. Your space is looking great! I didn't get a chance to tackle mine this week, but you've inspired me :)

    Kara
    Spedventures

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    1. Thanks! I can't wait to see what your space looks like!

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  3. That desk looks very familiar, since I have it too! I like how you moved it against the wall! Looks much more tidy. Good luck with clearing your desk top.

    EmiylK

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    1. The standard teacher desk! Thanks for reading and I'm going to continue to keep that desk t clean.

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  4. You know at first I didn't think it was that cluttered, but seeing the after pictures made me realize how much better it is now. Great job.

    Ms. M
    Ms.M's Blog
    A Teacher's Plan

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    1. Yes I didn't think it looked too bad either until I saw the change. I had so much more space and I have to stay organized because I don't have a nook that hides the clutter anymore! Thanks for reading!

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  5. I agree with Ms.M. I didn't think it looked cluttered either. I moved my desk as well, but not up against the wall. Love your day of the week bins! Awesome job!

    JJ
    guide2math.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! A lot of the clutter was behind the desk area which now it can't be anymore. It has really helped me to stay clean! Thanks for reading!

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  6. Wow, I agree with the girls above. I think you were already organized and this is fantastically clutterfree!
    Kristen

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  7. Thanks! I'm just trying to be as clutterfree and clean as possible! Messes overwhelm me and let's face it as a teacher we don't need anymore of that!

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  8. Your new and improved area looks awesome! I can't get rid of my desk either but I am still working on reorganizing it. Can't take the mess any more either.


    Apples and Papers

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  9. This looks great. I hope to get to my desk this up coming week. You give me hope.

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