The Schoolyard Podcast S2, E1: Again to College Magic

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Howdy buddies! Welcome again to the Schoolyard Podcast dropped at you by College Specialty. That is our Episode 1 of Season 2.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I’m your host, Nancy Chung, a fun-loving instructor and content material creator also referred to as @fancynancyin5th on social media, and I’m thrilled that you just’re right here. A particular shout-out to College Specialty, who presents important academic provides and full studying setting options that will help you rework greater than lecture rooms. That is the Schoolyard Podcast, a podcast by educators, for educators, the place the magic of studying unfolds. Right now, our fantastic friends, Stephanie Osmondson and Loreal Hemenway of @happilyeverelementary have again to high school in thoughts. Like many academics proper now, we will likely be discussing what we love a lot, which is sharing classroom setup ideas and sensible concepts on creating purposeful and welcoming areas. These two academics should not solely colourful and artistic, they’re so enjoyable and dynamic. Stephanie and Loreal deliver a wealth of expertise to the desk. Stephanie has a background in early childhood training with over a decade of expertise specializing in creating participating and interactive studying environments. Loreal comes from a background in elementary training, specializing in integrating know-how and artistic educating methods to reinforce scholar studying. Collectively, they based @happilyeverelementary on Instagram and TikTok, the place they share their progressive concepts, classroom setups, and educating ideas with the colourful group over 279,000 followers. Their mission is to encourage and assist fellow educators by offering sensible recommendation, uplifting tales, cute outfit concepts, and a complete lot of positivity. Welcome again to the schoolyard, Stephanie and Loreal. It’s so good to have you ever again.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Thanks. What a heat welcome, Nancy. Good to nearly see you.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I do know, it’s been too lengthy. I understand how busy you guys are. So thanks a lot for carving out your time to be right here at present. Final time you had been on our podcast, you share some superb recommendations on creating an inclusive classroom setting that may spark creativity. We obtained an unimaginable quantity of optimistic suggestions in your episode. And I’m not shocked by this, nevertheless it was our hottest, most streamed episode.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
So thanks. Thanks for listening, guys.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
You guys are superior. You’re clearly liked by everyone. So I do know we’re recording this mid July. However I can see that you just’re in your classroom and you’ve got been stepping into. How excited are you for a recent new faculty yr?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We’re all the time excited to sort of soar again in. There’s simply one thing concerning the vitality you get on a college campus that sadly, despite the fact that we’re like filling our personal cup through the summer time, it’s not essentially the identical vitality, particularly as two mothers. We’re dwelling and we actually aren’t resting that a lot proper now with our littles. And there’s something about checking in along with your faculty group that does provide you with this like raise and this jolt of vitality that we’re actually excited to faucet again into seeing our employees members and our college students once more.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, I like that. And I do know you’re you’ve been redoing bulletin boards for lots of academics in your campus, proper? Sure.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
How’s that going? Yeah, this summer time, we’re not doing a classroom makeover. And so we determined how can we serve academics nonetheless doing the issues we love. And we regarded in our lockers which might be sitting behind us proper now. And we have now two panels which might be stuffed with bulletin board kits that we’ve created for our Academics Pay Trainer Retailer. We’ve had them on show, after which we all the time save the items in a pleasant Ziploc bag, they usually’re simply sitting there. So we thought, what higher manner to assist our personal academics in our constructing by providing to do their bulletin boards? So we’re engaged on 12 to fifteen bulletin boards that we’re delivering throughout our college, throughout grade ranges, and we all know how a lot it’s serving to our academics proper now, and they’re simply so grateful to take one thing off of their plate.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, my gosh, I guess. I guess when you took signups on-line, you’d get like 1000s and 1000s of individuals saying come to our college and do a board for us.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We frequently get individuals within the feedback like come see me and do my board. And we had been that the majority of our employees did fill out the Google kind and was and it made us really feel very flattered. But in addition we had been like, man, I want we might do actually everybody’s combat enormous. And we’ll do that once more. As a result of it’s been such an expertise. I don’t suppose we couldn’t. beginning it and it feels good to take one factor, only one tiny factor off of a gen ed instructor’s plate as a result of we all know how rapidly issues pile up on the again to high school season and having peace of thoughts that they will are available in and their board is completed was one thing we had been actually excited to offer to them.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
That’s superb. You guys are simply giving again to your faculty and simply all the time trying to assist others. I like that. So while you’re planning your classroom group and decor for the next faculty yr, the place do you begin? Effectively, I all the time have to begin out like once I get again to high school, I simply stroll round in circles for the entire day. I’m like, actually, actually strolling round in circles. The place do you begin?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
I’ve observed that as properly with different individuals is like, once they’re like day one classroom arrange the primary day observing all the pieces like yeah. We are going to see as artwork academics, our dynamic and listing of duties is so extremely completely different. We’re not having to prep our Meet the Trainer letters in the identical manner. We’ve got alternatives like that as specialists, nevertheless it’s not the identical manner you’re answerable for your class. We’re not having to laminate homework folders or issues like that. Nevertheless, we do have a tendency to begin with operate. And for us as artwork academics, and we did this within the Gen Ed classroom as properly, we attempt to take into consideration, properly, what might enhance from final yr and ensure that we’re like sort of reflecting on the very fact of like, oh, that that was a battle for me like time and time once more. And actually, we’d in all probability be fascinated with that the earlier faculty yr after which begin working in the direction of implementing one thing higher in the summertime. However going again to high school, it’s like the joy, however like behind making an attempt one thing new that might work and I believe that’s why on our social media we’re so enthusiastic about saying like we’re making an attempt this new factor and you recognize we wish to share it with you guys and see if it might give you the results you want is as a result of like we’ve simply realized time and time once more that you recognize as you study and develop you recognize your college students have extra alternative as properly um however yeah I believe for our academics particularly there have been issues like um that we wished to enhance A type of issues for us particularly was like relax kits to ensure that we’re accommodating the wants of all of our college students. And so I do know we put a giant deal with that this summer time. But when we had been within the classroom, that might be a wide range of issues, whether or not it’s like, you recognize, adapting to new curriculum or wanting higher scholar group. However I believe these are issues that we and the college you’re trying ahead to enhancing going into a brand new one.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I like that a variety of occasions skilled academics sort of get within the rut of doing the identical factor yr after yr. And I believe that’s that might trigger burnout, too, in my my opinion, like our personalities, we are going to get so bored. Proper. So yeah. Yeah. So it’s not I imply, it’s after all, it’s for the children, too. However for our sake, too, once we are attempting new issues, we really feel you recognize, we really feel extra refreshed and we really feel extra impressed for the college yr. Completely. In your expertise, what classroom design components have probably the most optimistic impression on scholar engagement and studying outcomes?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
There’s a variety of lecture rooms that Stephanie and I’ve designed in our educating careers from our personal lecture rooms to summer time makeovers. After which our personal artwork room. And when it comes right down to it, creating an aesthetic of a welcoming setting with colours and vibrancy and issues that interact college students actually does make a giant change within the scholar tradition and having the children really feel welcome into your room. There’s nothing higher than trying on the face of a scholar strolling right into a classroom the primary time. It’s arms down considered one of our favourite experiences. After we do makeovers, we love seeing the instructor’s response. That’s fairly rad. However when the scholars are available in, it brings us to tears. as a result of you’ll be able to see it on their face. They gentle up and see the little touches that you just suppose nobody’s going to note. And children will stroll proper as much as them and wish to contact them or take a look at them. And it’s actually magical creating these environments for college students. And it simply units the tone for the complete faculty yr. So I simply suppose the general aesthetic of a room and the vibrancy and the power to make it welcoming for college students is tremendous vital. And it’s positively considered one of our favourite elements.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, and I’m positive that fuels you much more, proper? Since you don’t wish to get that response once more. I like that.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
And that’s how it’s with all of our occasions. Once more, as specialists, we’re placing on a variety of occasion based mostly issues with our college students. And that’s how we meet our group. Since we don’t have like a category with dad and mom, they’ll come up our occasions, after which they’ll see what we’re about. And a variety of the occasions there’s this preliminary shock issue with the areas we create. And like Laura mentioned, it’s often the children, however there’s been a pair dad and mom that pull us apart they usually’re like, if I used to be coming to this faculty as a scholar, I’d be so excited to return again. And so they’ve mentioned issues like, clearly, like, I want our college had this type of factor rising up. And like, I can completely relate to that. And so like Loreal mentioned, it’s it’s there’s like this Feeling that setting may give and that’s what we stand behind is a way of security safety Pleasure after which when children are like purchased in in that manner, they’re able to study

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, I do know. Oh my gosh. Like each time you share tales and present us like your classroom and what you guys are doing in there. I’m like, I want I might simply go reside in there. Like, not solely do I wish to train with you at your faculty. Yeah, I’ll take the I’ll take the decrease one. The largest one you could have. Okay, so what’s what’s the most transformative low price range change you’ve seen in a classroom makeover? I do know you guys are actually good with price range too.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Okay, so we talked about this as a result of there’s alternative ways to go about it. And folks’s budgets are completely different and typically you could have extra assist financially out of your faculty. Then others on the subject of like our huge classroom makeovers and issues that like we have now been identified for on social media, we’re clearly capable of do much more as a result of we do have a price range. And we have now gotten a variety of permission from the college from the district from the instructor. And so paint can go a great distance when you’re capable of. Nevertheless, Loreal and I are considering again to love, the times once we weren’t a enterprise. And we had been doing makeovers for buddies and for colleges with zero price range and so we’d solely use what the college had like of their lounge or of their instructor room and that meant paper. And so there’s a pair makeovers that come to thoughts instantly the place we solely use butcher paper and huge building paper after which like had like possibly a $50 price range and we’re shopping for issues like burlap or like cricut mats and utilizing like our cricut machines that we each obtained gifted for commencement presents in order that wasn’t even one thing we paid for however the distinction that it might probably make in case you are keen to love sort of suppose creatively and suppose exterior of the field like we had one of many makeovers was for a mother or father volunteer room or a mother or father work room and we would like the the principal had requested for it to be like actually inviting and on the time like farmhouse and burlap and like Buffalo test had been popping off and we made probably the most we liked it beautiful paper flowers that had been like three ft in diameter I bear in mind I bear in mind this I’ve been following you for a very long time you’d paint the paper. We did all types of issues, and we printed some buffalo test with black ink on white paper. I bear in mind this, yeah. And that was free as a result of we had been printing at college on white paper, however the flowers had been huge as a result of we used the 18 by 9 inch paper. After which we additionally folded an extended piece of butcher paper and reduce out a little bit, what’s that known as? like a picket fence that went throughout the entire room and it was so stinking cute. After which we made a large buffalo test wall simply by stapling up squares of paper that we had black, white, after which had drawn on to create that buffalo test overlap look. However the impression that it made, and I’m positive the volunteers, as a result of that was not our college on the time, the volunteers that went in there, we might solely think about, had been like feeling heat and comfy and cute. And that was the aim. And we solely used paper and a few burlap for that complete makeover. And I believe the impression was nonetheless there, you recognize? So don’t restrict your self to your price range. You realize, suppose exterior the field and run along with your creativity as a result of quite a bit will be completed.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Mm hmm. I believe that’s proper once I was beginning to observe you guys. And we’re doing all these murals. And also you had been doing like, I like the truth that you guys are simply utilizing paper and creating these superb, not only a focus wall, I simply felt like only a magical setting that you recognize, that’s like, like a metamorphosis of only a easy classroom. You guys have a magical contact.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We by no means need academics to really feel like so as to have a classroom of your goals or a classroom area that’s stunning and welcoming that you must pour cash into it since you actually. shouldn’t and don’t must and thoughts you we have now ideas and tips on how one can get cash if you need and free issues on your classroom however the backside line is you are able to do quite a bit simply being inventive with the issues which might be both supplied to you or issues you could have round the home and we all the time wish to take home items and different issues round that we might present that like this might be one thing that’s stunning and you could possibly rework it into one thing stunning and it doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Proper. A number of the questions that I get on-line is how a lot cash did you spend on the classroom? And I’ve to inform them, see this merchandise, I upcycled, I took an outdated shelf repainted it or like this, you recognize, I obtained like my I don’t know when you guys have seen my sweet machines. I name them my data dispensers. That was a storage sale discover that I repainted and simply added little cute cricut letters onto. And so it was actually low price range however individuals are like that’s a lot cash and I’m like no you simply must get inventive and spend the time.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Yeah, considering exterior the field is the way you ask for issues. I believe some individuals are snug simply asking, however like we used to place in our like open home slideshow, your trash might be our classroom’s treasure. So outdated toys or outdated books or outdated furnishings, simply possibly ship an e-mail to your instructor as a result of they may use that bookshelf or they may use that ottoman or no matter. And such as you mentioned, upcycle it for positive.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
So that may sort of naturally result in a distinct query, which is, what’s the most uncommon or inventive upcycled merchandise you’ve ever integrated into a category journey design?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Um, I believe we’re most identified for our lockers. I believe that proper behind you, a variety of our content material as a result of they’re stunning. And to be trustworthy, once we initially created this area, um, we flipped this classroom in 48 hours for a TV present. And in that point, we had been simply making an attempt to deliver magic to each nook, however we’re lacking the operate and what we had their operate. Effectively, however as soon as we really had children within the room, we’re like, it might simply operate so a lot better. And so Stephanie on Fb market discovered a gentleman who’s promoting these outdated, outdated, they’re grey, dusty, beat up lockers. And the method was really terrible to color them. We simply had somebody ask us like, what particular paint did you utilize? And my girlfriend, we use leftover paint, spray paint. I imply, so as to paint colours, I imply, we don’t know what we’re doing half the time, however we’re not afraid to do it. however we took one thing that actually was somebody’s trash and made it into considered one of our most purposeful. A type of is jam-packed. We use it each day and it’s stunning. It simply suits their area so a lot better and it simply took a little bit of a threat to purchase them and to offer it a attempt.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I’m simply curious the place he even obtained a set of lockers.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
He informed us, proper? He obtained them from a highschool and had them in his storage and he had like a piece setup. It was for odds and ends, however he was transferring they usually had been fairly dusty. He left, bear in mind? Yeah, he left like a backpack and a few instruments. We’re just like the male. Yeah. Oh, wow. However it’s beautiful.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
It’s stunning.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
In case you ever see one thing on the facet of the street of a desk, we’ll discuss like our studying nook tables or small group tables or any tables we had a littles in our classroom had been most the time one thing we discovered on the facet of the street, a small picnic desk, painted it, made it new and getting that new life in our classroom. And so it didn’t must take us going to the shop and shopping for a $200, $300 desk.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Proper. And what I like is you’re not simply bringing these things into your classroom as a result of they’re fairly or as a result of they’re cute, however you discover purposeful gadgets. Like, I believe you could have a imaginative and prescient. You see one thing you’re like, I can use this for this. And it’s not simply to embellish, nevertheless it’s making a purposeful area. So how do you stability creating an aesthetically pleasing room which there’s nothing mistaken with. We spend a lot of our college day within the classroom. So after all, I need it to be very aesthetically pleasing too. However how do you discover the stability between simply having a fantastic classroom versus sustaining a purposeful studying setting?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
So we love this query. And Nancy, we obtained to know you first at a convention the place we had been each presenting, and we really offered on this. And we’re so fast to say, we’re operate first. We’re aesthetic girlies, but additionally aesthetic is subjective. And when you’re not there with the operate first, the area isn’t going to serve you. And in the end, that’s our backside line, is the area is there to serve each the instructor and the scholars for the utmost efficient engagement and instruction. We’re actually enthusiastic about like once we, we do classroom makers for others we like have this complete interview course of the place it’s like what’s working what’s not working what do you completely must see once more that you just’ve had in your. And what would you want to enhance upon like we talked to having this actually reflective course of and for us. uh operate and aesthetics go hand in hand and like we mentioned aesthetics are subjective and and actually developments and issues are sort of fleeting so in case you are have like a strong group system in case you have scholar group in case you have your supplies organized and issues after which you’ll be able to simply sort of change and tweak the issues that deliver you pleasure as a result of that can change additionally all through time um you’re going to be strong so we’d advise individuals to begin by what their classroom must operate, whether or not that’s like, okay, my carpet time must function this manner, or I need my studying nook to ask college students in with this type of e book group. Begin with these issues after which discover like the lovable aesthetic labels and discover the world rug that you just’re like, oh, that is how I wish to invite them to the carpet, you recognize, however As soon as you’re feeling such as you perceive like your individual wants as a instructor instructionally, then it’s it provides the additional enjoyable to say like, okay, I’d actually like this type of a studying chair with like possibly like a pom pom on this throw pillow. However making an attempt to suit your classroom into an aesthetic is one thing we’d not advise. As a result of developments sort of come and go. And we once we began educating was it rainbow with chalkboard? Yeah, it was like actually aesthetic. uh-huh you keep in mind that it was like oh yeah rock board and that i bear in mind chevron was like popping off oh yeah uh-huh chevron all the pieces we’re each in our classroom for positive and clearly that point has handed um however we stand by the issues that we’re capable of do functionally in our classroom so we’d say begin there make a listing of your whole main tutorial wants after which sort of fill within the gaps with the issues which might be stunning and that deliver you pleasure

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Now, our listeners can’t see, however I’ve this like, dorky smirk on my face proper now. You realize, as you guys are speaking, I used to be simply smirking away as a result of, you recognize, once I was youthful, my motto was like vogue earlier than operate, proper? It’s like, you recognize, whether or not it’s no matter it was vogue earlier than operate, so I might be sporting like probably the most uncomfortable sneakers and individuals are like, how do you stroll in these and I’d say like vogue earlier than operate, however

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Now that I’m outdated, it’s like operate, operate, operate, operate, no, no, really, I believe with our garments, we might relate to you on that. I’m sporting a wedge that like, actually, shouldn’t be life like for a instructor to be sporting. However on the subject of the pregnant instructor to be sporting actually however like as an individual who um began educating and was thrown right into a classroom like like a pair months into the yr and was extraordinarily unorganized my first yr it devastated me i felt like i used to be always like making an attempt to love preserve my head above water and now understanding the techniques that like we have now in place collectively in our artwork room it brings us a lot peace of thoughts um understanding that like even when stuff comes up in a day like our classroom is serving us so like we’re good we will determine something out as a result of there’s so many different issues which have been accomplished so deliberately and nonetheless stunning after all however um yeah so we might have vogue and performance Sure.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
So change the mannequin. Yeah, we’ll change the mannequin to vogue operate operate.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
All the identical vogue operate enjoyable.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, oh, I like that. Go up on my wall. Yeah, I do know we talked about price range earlier than. So when you had a vast price range for only one space, not for the entire, like for the entire classroom, however possibly only for one space of the classroom, which might you select? And the way would you make it completely extraordinary?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Oh, wow, this query obtained us considering. So thanks. bringing that to gentle as a result of we don’t ever take into consideration a world the place we have now a vast price range. It’s by no means crossed our thoughts. So to dream a little bit bit was actually enjoyable. And once we suppose to our makeover winners, A number of occasions, a variety of our price range does go to different seating choices of their classroom. As a result of a variety of the occasions in your classroom, what you’re given by your faculty is a set of furnishings that will not serve your college students. And so versatile seating is one thing that We like to present academics within the occasions the place we do have a price range and a variety of our price range does go to no matter their wants are and if that’s what their wants are they usually wish to see versatile seating for his or her college students, we love to try this. So I believe within the artwork room, We had been fascinated with our tables don’t serve us the way in which we wish to see it in an artwork room both. They’re very giant tables. We frequently have little college students reaching throughout which you recognize will be disastrous. Paint cups and waters and paintbrush. So I believe that we’d in all probability do some improve on our desk state of affairs. We might do away with the classroom tables that had been simply handed to us that we simply make work in the environment and possibly get some capabilities higher for our artwork room. However I believe a variety of academics would agree that If you’re handed the desks that you just, and typically academics do not need a alternative at our college, they’d stroll into their room they usually had tables once they wished desks, or that they had desks once they wished tables, and also you simply must make these issues work. And we’ve accomplished a fairly good job making it work. However in that state of affairs, we had a vast price range. I believe we’d alter our furnishings state of affairs in right here, as we’re oftentimes welcoming 50 college students at one time, 8 college students round one desk they usually’re sharing a small quantity of provides and you’ll think about it. It’s not all the time clear and it’s not all the time functioning the perfect to its potential. You realize, price range, we’d make smaller class sizes.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Yeah. Oh, is that even an choice?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
You mentioned one space. Perhaps we’d add chandeliers and disco balls. Yeah, I don’t know. If it was limitless, we’d in all probability go, I do know.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Proper. In January, I used to be lucky sufficient to go along with College Specialty as they did a classroom makeover for a instructor. They shocked this instructor in Houston. And guess what sort of room it was? It was an artwork room. So the furnishings, the tables, simply the group techniques, not simply the provides, however the entire room was simply remodeled. And I used to be like, drooling. I used to be like, I didn’t even know they made issues like this. So it was superb to see College Specialty coming in and like simply remodeling this complete area. And it was unimaginable. So you could possibly take a look at a few of these tables and desks too. Yeah. And there might be like Barry that will likely be like, right here you go.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Listed here are the tables. Yeah. Somebody on the market.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Wink wink. Wink wink. I do know. Okay. Think about you could possibly journey again in time to your first yr of educating. What’s the single most impactful classroom group hack you’d share along with your youthful self and why?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
It’s humorous as a result of we really suppose so fondly of our first lecture rooms as a result of clearly it was like our first impression of educating and we cared a lot about our lecture rooms that we dreamed of for years. And I realized quite a bit from Loreal in school as a result of she graduated two years earlier than me and had had a classroom for 2 years. So I’d like go in and like volunteer for her simply to love, you recognize, get a little bit style of like educating whereas I used to be nonetheless in school. However I bear in mind each of our first lecture rooms and one factor that we each valued a ton was clearly storage. We’ve got a a lot bigger room now as artwork academics, however on the time there have been so many issues in kinder and first grade that you could possibly maintain on to as like manipulatives or as like, you recognize, with sure thematic learn alouds that you just’re like, oh, I’ve to maintain this stuffy for that one lesson. Like, there’s simply so many issues. After which on the subject of storage within the rooms that we had, it was, there was, Both you wanted to go a little bit bit excessive and have issues anchored excessive above your wardrobes or have issues low. Loreal was actually good. Her complete again wall was bulletin boards, however she had tables in entrance of them. And so then beneath each desk, she had totes or storage bins that had been actually huge that held a ton of stuff, however you wouldn’t see any of it as a result of she had this like stunning curtain that was like a theme. shade scheme that coated all the pieces that was alongside the sting of her desk. And so like issues like that, the place you must like, not simply take the storage. We got these apothecary wardrobes the place there’s one million drawers. And issues like that don’t slot in these drawers. No less than ours had been very slim and lengthy and deep. And so there have been issues that like a storage tote is what you would wish. And so issues like that, we’d get inventive with and you’ll cowl it up when you’re capable of stack issues excessive. I do know there’s some occasions the place you must ensure that security is, thought of. However there’s plenty of issues like that the place it’s like if it is advisable retailer stuff, like get inventive about it, cowl it up. It’s all good. However I’ll conceal all of them. Personally, for first yr academics and for second yr academics or no matter. In case you’re not utilizing it, I’d say don’t really feel the instructor guilt of like, nevertheless it was free or somebody left it for me. Eliminate stuff when you’re not utilizing it. Or if it’s not really purposeful in your room, as a result of that was one thing I struggled with for in all probability 4 years, at the very least was like, holding on to a ton of stuff. And it like sort of frazzled my mind, however I always felt like there was potential to make use of sure issues instructionally. And thoughts you, once more, backyard I had facilities circulating and altering each single week. So something might have been used for a middle, however don’t be scared to sort of edit your stuff yearly. Edit it down. Is that this working for me? Is it not? May one other instructor use it greater than I might? I might present it to another person or simply donate or trash it relying on what it’s. However I believe that was one thing that like took me a very long time to study personally as a result of Loreal has been all the time actually good at enhancing her stuff. I really feel that I actually needed to work on as a result of for the longest time I hoarded stuff in my wardrobes and stuff. And till I removed it, did I actually see group, like true group the place I’m like, all the pieces right here has a house, has a goal.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Yeah. And I do know we’ve had earlier conversations about that being like organized hoarders or like having like, oh gosh, my home proper now, my summer time trip aim was to do away with a variety of my stuff. And it’s

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
all right here nonetheless. Each summer time child, each summer time.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
By yourself time. Perhaps spring break, winter break, yeah.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Effectively I believe it’s arduous for individuals such as you and I too as a result of while you’re a inventive individual you see potential that you could possibly change this or that or have this particular operate and so I believe that doesn’t assist. I do know. And I’ll simply paint it or I’ll simply carry on it.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Uh-huh. Effectively, we simply want any individual to return and say, I really want this. Can I’ve it? And we’ll be like, right here you go. So you’re feeling like there’s a goal, that might be a dream. I simply can’t do away with it.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
However I do know, however otherwise you want a Loreal as a result of she’s like professional.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Sure, sure, I do know. Loreal, what are you doing tomorrow?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
She wasn’t educating. I really feel like she might simply be like a house organizer.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Yeah, you’re like, say goodbye. Say thanks for the enjoyment that it introduced you. Marie Kondo it. Yep. I like that. Yeah. No, however thanks a lot for being right here. Now. We’ve got a section on our podcast known as Tag You’re It, the place the listeners write in with a query. And at present’s query shouldn’t be educating associated. It comes from Jordan P. And the query is, when you might swap locations with somebody, anybody for a day, who would it not be? And why?

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Oh my gosh. Okay. I’ve my reply.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I’ve mine too.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Oh, I wouldn’t have mentioned it on the digital camera. Oh, yeah.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Okay, right here’s Stephanie Taylor Swift, Taylor.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
You’ll change your reply as a result of we talked about this on a regular basis. We reside the identical life, however so no completely different. And it could be so useful, insightful, and so insightful. And simply each of us to really which is humorous as a result of like, I’d be dwelling and she or he could be right here and it could be I desire a day within the life together with her on her days. And as a lot as like, I really feel like we do reside a mirrored life, it could be very insightful to simply spend a day in her sneakers. Now, you’re proper. I used to be not considering huge.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Okay, no, I do know.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
He’s proper, although. I’ll say I believe as mothers too the truth that we’re extraordinarily clear with one another it actually helps how trustworthy we’re as a result of it offers us a variety of perception when like a variety of issues as dad and mom you’re feeling like oh am I doing the appropriate factor or what are my selections like there are issues Loreal has introduced right into a dialog I’m like I’ve by no means considered that and our youngsters are so completely different too that it brings completely different methods up clearly my son’s on the spectrum so there’s a variety of issues that come up that she’s like I I didn’t know that you recognize and vice versa

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
However I wish to know why you selected Taylor Swift.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Let me let you know. And it’s not essentially as a result of individuals at Travis can see something. No, I simply really feel like that is so egocentric now. I really feel horrible. Don’t really feel dangerous. Rising up, I had this, and I’ve to thank my mother for this, I had this unreal, like I simply accepted the truth that at some point I used to be going to be a well-known pop star. And I in all probability believed that with full certainty till I used to be like 15 years outdated. After which actuality began hitting once I obtained my first job and I’m like, what’s a W-2? Like, I used to be like, oh, this isn’t on the desk for you and that’s okay. However I used to be like a theater and choir child and I actually believed that. And so I believe at some point similar to understanding what it’s actually wish to be like a pop star and like, she’s clearly a mega icon. and businesswoman and similar to all the pieces, I simply suppose it could be enjoyable. Like, you recognize, and to be on a stage and all that. That’s so egocentric in comparison with the place Loreal is. I simply give it some thought every single day as a result of I’d love to simply stroll a day in her life. And I’d love for her to stroll a day in my life. And I simply suppose that might be so cool simply to, yeah, simply expertise.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
And I simply Stephanie that you could possibly stroll round, you could possibly stroll round and say, Loreal desires to be me.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
She desires to be me. No, there’s issues although, if I used to be in Loreal’s like life that I really feel like I’d be like, okay, let me do that on for measurement. As a result of like she mentioned, it’s humorous how mirrored are like, yeah, there’s like very particular issues that like might by no means even be near the identical. Yeah, it could be fascinating. However that’s enjoyable.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, you guys are so fortunate to have one another and dealing collectively so properly. Yeah. I want each instructor had a piece buddy, like work sister work buddy like that, you recognize, of their colleges, lots of people reaching out, they’re like, I want I had that.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
And we want so deeply that everybody brings the consolation and care of like a superb buddy, particularly career. Yeah.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Effectively, it actually you guys actually shine by way of within the quick little reels and the tick tocks that you just guys share it actually your positivity and love for one another and love for the children actually shine by way of. So thanks for making that contagious love, you recognize, simply, you recognize, unfold to everybody who follows you.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We’ve had a privilege to see you, Nancy, and it has been such a privilege as a result of we’ve realized a lot.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
So thanks for sharing your time with us. Thanks. Thanks a lot. Effectively, it was fantastic having you again. Effectively, I hope to have you ever guys again once more for for different extra episodes. However thanks. Thanks for being right here. We love you.

Friends: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Love you. Thanks, guys.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Bye. Thanks for becoming a member of us for the seventh episode of The Schoolyard Podcast.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Bear in mind to pack your curiosity and meet us again within the schoolyard for our subsequent episode.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
However earlier than you go, tag you’re it! Now it’s your flip to put in writing in with a query which we are going to reply right here on The Schoolyard Podcast for our section known as Tag You’re It.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Tag us on Fb, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter, at SchoolSpecialty, and hashtag SchoolyardTagYourIt, with a query that you really want answered. One query will likely be chosen per episode to be answered by our featured visitor and myself, and in case your query is chosen to be answered on the podcast, we’ll ship you a really particular Schoolyard Podcast t-shirt. Class dismissed!