The Great Classroom Migration: A Teacher’s Guide to Relocating Over the Summer

Ah, summer: a time for relaxation, rejuvenation, and… relocating your entire classroom? That’s right, fellow educators! As the school year winds down, some of us are faced with the daunting task of moving to a new classroom. In fact, as a teacher I moved my room SEVERAL times (sans air conditioning!!), and I’m set to move again this summer! But fear not! With a sprinkle of inspiration and a dash of organization, you can turn this chore into an adventure. Here are some tips to help you survive the great classroom migration.

Hoard Boxes Like a Squirrel Preparing for Winter

Start collecting boxes early. The last thing you want is to be stuffing science experiments into your purse because you ran out of boxes on moving day. Visit your local grocery store and ask for boxes (banana boxes are my favorite), or check out recycling bins on cardboard pickup day. Remember that those big reusable shopping bags you can get at stores (like TJMaxx) can be great for moving, too! Either way, your Future Self will thank you.

Label Like You’re Writing Sub Plans

We all know the level of detail required in sub plans if we want our classroom to function in our absence. Apply that same principle to labeling your boxes and furniture. Design and print many quarter-page size signs that say what the new destination is, with a line to write on. When you fill in that line, “Mrs. Smith’s stuff” won’t cut it. Be specific: “Mrs. Smith’s Precious Sticky Notes and Beloved Staplers.” You get the idea.

Recruit an Army of Helpful Hands

Promise your students extra credit, pizza, or the secret to eternal happiness if they help you move. Okay, maybe not the last one, but getting students involved can make the process faster and more fun. The last days of school are the perfect time to invite parents in for a farewell celebration, and believe me, they will be happy to help, too! Just make sure they lift with their knees, not their backs!

Create a Treasure Map

Draw a layout of your new classroom and plan where everything will go. This will save you from playing musical chairs with your filing cabinets later. Your custodians will thank you, because they really don’t want teachers moving furniture on those shiny floors they washed (sans air conditioning).

Hold a Garage Sale

As you pack, you’ll find things you haven’t used since the overhead projector was in vogue. Take this opportunity to start anew… with less. If you don’t need it, sell it or donate it. Your classroom hoard could be another teacher’s treasure. Consider online listings on Facebook Marketplace, or post on an education-site like K12Leaders!!!

The Essentials Bag

Pack a small bag with the essentials you’ll need on the first day in your new room: markers, attendance list, chocolate (for emergencies), and your favorite “I’m the teacher, that’s why” mug. Take that bag home for the summer so you don’t have to worry about someone else moving it for you. These precautions will prevent panic when you can’t find the box labeled “Mrs. Smith’s Important Stuff.”

Celebrate the Memories

Take a moment to reminisce about the good times in your old classroom. Maybe have a farewell ceremony where you and your students share your favorite memories. Don’t leave behind items for “the new teacher” without knowing they are wanted. Be sure to leave the room in better condition than you found it, it’s a great way to get closure before moving on.

Embrace the Chaos

Things will go wrong. You’ll lose a box. Your new room will be smaller than you thought. Embrace it. Laugh about it. After all, overcoming challenges is what teachers do best.

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to moving classrooms. Remember, it’s not just about relocating materials; it’s about creating a new space for learning and making new memories. Good luck to all of us, and may the odds be ever in our favor!