The Schoolyard Podcast is again for one more season! On this season’s first episode, host Nancy Chung welcomes again particular company Stephanie Osmondson and Loreal Hemenway from @happilyeverelementary. The episode focuses on preparations for returning again to high school, particularly discussing classroom setup suggestions and sensible concepts for creating useful and welcoming areas.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Howdy buddies! Welcome again to the Schoolyard Podcast dropped at you by Faculty Specialty. That is our Episode 1 of Season 2.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I’m your host, Nancy Chung, a fun-loving trainer and content material creator also called @fancynancyin5th on social media, and I’m thrilled that you just’re right here. A particular shout-out to Faculty Specialty, who affords important instructional provides and full studying atmosphere options that can assist you rework greater than lecture rooms. That is the Schoolyard Podcast, a podcast by educators, for educators, the place the magic of studying unfolds. Immediately, our fantastic company, Stephanie Osmondson and Loreal Hemenway of @happilyeverelementary have again to high school in thoughts. Like many lecturers proper now, we can be discussing what we love a lot, which is sharing classroom setup suggestions and sensible concepts on creating useful and welcoming areas. These two lecturers aren’t solely colourful and inventive, they’re so enjoyable and dynamic. Stephanie and Loreal deliver a wealth of expertise to the desk. Stephanie has a background in early childhood schooling with over a decade of expertise specializing in creating partaking and interactive studying environments. Loreal comes from a background in elementary schooling, specializing in integrating expertise and inventive instructing methods to reinforce pupil studying. Collectively, they based @happilyeverelementary on Instagram and TikTok, the place they share their revolutionary concepts, classroom setups, and instructing suggestions with the colourful neighborhood over 279,000 followers. Their mission is to encourage and help fellow educators by offering sensible recommendation, uplifting tales, cute outfit concepts, and an entire lot of positivity. Welcome again to the schoolyard, Stephanie and Loreal. It’s so good to have you ever again.
Company: 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 right now. Final time you had been on our podcast, you share some superb tips about creating an inclusive classroom atmosphere that may spark creativity. We obtained an unimaginable quantity of optimistic suggestions in your episode. And I’m not shocked by this, but it surely was our hottest, most streamed episode.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
So thanks. Thanks for listening, guys.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
You guys are superior. You’re clearly beloved by all people. 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 moving into. How excited are you for a recent new faculty yr?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We’re all the time excited to type of soar again in. There’s simply one thing in regards to the vitality you get on a college campus that sadly, though we’re like filling our personal cup through the summer time, it’s not essentially the identical vitality, particularly as two mothers. We’re house and we actually aren’t resting that a lot proper now with our littles. And there’s something about checking in together with your faculty neighborhood that does provide you with this like elevate 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 lecturers in your campus, proper? Sure.
Company: 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 lecturers nonetheless doing the issues we love. And we seemed in our lockers which can be sitting behind us proper now. And we have now two panels which can be stuffed with bulletin board kits that we’ve created for our Lecturers Pay Instructor Retailer. We’ve had them on show, after which we all the time save the items in a pleasant Ziploc bag, and so they’re simply sitting there. So we thought, what higher method to assist our personal lecturers 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 lecturers 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’ll get like 1000s and 1000s of individuals saying come to our college and do a board for us.
Company: 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 almost all 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 may do actually everybody’s struggle big. And we’ll do that once more. As a result of it’s been such an expertise. I don’t assume we couldn’t. beginning it and it feels good to take one factor, only one tiny factor off of a gen ed trainer’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 finished was one thing we had been actually excited to present to them.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
That’s superb. You guys are simply giving again to your faculty and simply all the time seeking to assist others. I like that. So if 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 start out out like after 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?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
I’ve seen that as effectively with different individuals is like, after they’re like day one classroom arrange the primary day observing all the things like yeah. We are going to see as artwork lecturers, our dynamic and record of duties is so extremely completely different. We aren’t having to prep our Meet the Instructor letters in the identical method. We now have alternatives like that as specialists, but it surely’s not the identical method you’re accountable for your class. We’re not having to laminate homework folders or issues like that. Nevertheless, we do have a tendency to start out with perform. And for us as artwork lecturers, and we did this within the Gen Ed classroom as effectively, we attempt to take into consideration, effectively, what may enhance from final yr and guarantee that we’re like type of reflecting on the actual fact of like, oh, that that was a wrestle for me like time and time once more. And truthfully, we’d most likely be desirous about 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 thrill, however like behind attempting one thing new that would work and I believe that’s why on our social media we’re so captivated with saying like we’re attempting this new factor and you already know we wish to share it with you guys and see if it may be just right for you is as a result of like we’ve simply discovered time and time once more that you already know as you study and develop you already know your college students have extra alternative as effectively um however yeah I believe for our lecturers particularly there have been issues like um that we wished to enhance A kind of issues for us specifically was like relax kits to guarantee that we’re accommodating the wants of all of our college students. And so I do know we put a giant give attention to that this summer time. But when we had been within the classroom, that might be quite a lot of issues, whether or not it’s like, you already know, adapting to new curriculum or wanting higher pupil group. However I believe these are issues that we and the college you’re wanting ahead to enhancing going into a brand new one.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I like that plenty of instances skilled lecturers type of get within the rut of doing the identical factor yr after yr. And I believe that’s that would 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 already know, we really feel extra refreshed and we really feel extra impressed for the college yr. Completely. In your expertise, what classroom design parts have probably the most optimistic influence on pupil engagement and studying outcomes?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
There’s plenty of lecture rooms that Stephanie and I’ve designed in our instructing careers from our personal lecture rooms to summer time makeovers. After which our personal artwork room. And when it comes all the way down to it, creating an aesthetic of a welcoming atmosphere with colours and vibrancy and issues that interact college students actually does make a giant change within the pupil tradition and having the children really feel welcome into your room. There’s nothing higher than wanting on the face of a pupil strolling right into a classroom the primary time. It’s palms down one in all our favourite experiences. After we do makeovers, we love seeing the trainer’s response. That’s fairly rad. However when the scholars are available in, it brings us to tears. as a result of you possibly can see it on their face. They gentle up and see the little touches that you just assume 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 really magical creating these environments for college kids. And it simply units the tone for your entire faculty yr. So I simply assume the general aesthetic of a room and the vibrancy and the flexibility to make it welcoming for college kids is tremendous necessary. And it’s positively one in all our favourite components.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, and I’m certain that fuels you much more, proper? Since you don’t wish to get that response once more. I like that.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
And that’s how it’s with all of our occasions. Once more, as specialists, we’re placing on plenty of occasion based mostly issues with our college students. And that’s how we meet our neighborhood. Since we don’t have like a category with mother and father, they’ll come up our occasions, after which they’ll see what we’re about. And plenty of the instances there may be this preliminary shock issue with the areas we create. And like Laura mentioned, it’s normally the children, however there’s been a pair mother and father that pull us apart and so they’re like, if I used to be coming to this faculty as a pupil, I’d be so excited to return again. They usually’ve mentioned issues like, clearly, like, I want our college had this sort 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 atmosphere can provide and that’s what we stand behind is a way of security safety Pleasure after which when children are like purchased in in that method, 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 may simply go dwell 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 might 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.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Okay, so we talked about this as a result of there’s alternative ways to go about it. And other people’s budgets are completely different and generally you might have extra help financially out of your faculty. Then others in the case of like our massive classroom makeovers and issues that like we have now been recognized for on social media, we’re clearly in a position to do much more as a result of we do have a price range. And we have now gotten plenty of permission from the college from the district from the trainer. And so paint can go a good distance when you’re in a position to. 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 faculties with zero price range and so we’d solely use what the college had like of their lounge or of their trainer 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 enormous development paper after which like had like perhaps 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 may well make in case you are keen to love type of assume creatively and assume exterior of the field like we had one of many makeovers was for a guardian volunteer room or a guardian work room and we wish the the principal had requested for it to be like actually inviting and on the time like farmhouse and burlap and like Buffalo verify had been popping off and we made probably the most we beloved it gorgeous paper flowers that had been like three toes in diameter I keep in mind I keep in mind this I’ve been following you for a very long time you’ll paint the paper. We did every kind of issues, and we printed some buffalo verify with black ink on white paper. I keep in mind this, yeah. And that was free as a result of we had been printing in school on white paper, however the flowers had been large as a result of we used the 18 by 9 inch paper. After which we additionally folded a protracted 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 an enormous buffalo verify wall simply by stapling up squares of paper that we had black, white, after which had drawn on to create that buffalo verify overlap look. However the influence that it made, and I’m certain the volunteers, as a result of that was not our college on the time, the volunteers that went in there, we may 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 entire makeover. And I believe the influence was nonetheless there, you already know? So don’t restrict your self to your price range. You realize, assume exterior the field and run together with your creativity as a result of rather a lot may be achieved.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Mm hmm. I believe that’s proper after I was beginning to comply with 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 atmosphere that you already know, that’s like, like a metamorphosis of only a easy classroom. You guys have a magical contact.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We by no means need lecturers to really feel like in an effort to have a classroom of your goals or a classroom house that’s lovely and welcoming that it’s a must to pour cash into it since you actually. shouldn’t and don’t should and thoughts you we have now suggestions and tips on how one can get cash if you would like and free issues on your classroom however the backside line is you are able to do rather a lot simply being inventive with the issues which can be both offered to you or issues you might have round the home and we all the time wish to take home goods and different issues round that we may present that like this might be one thing that’s lovely and you could possibly rework it into one thing lovely and it doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Proper. A whole lot 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 already know, 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 persons are like that’s a lot cash and I’m like no you simply should get inventive and spend the time.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Yeah, considering exterior the field is the way you ask for issues. I believe some persons 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 perhaps ship an electronic mail to your trainer as a result of they might use that bookshelf or they might use that ottoman or no matter. And such as you mentioned, upcycle it for certain.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
So that may type of naturally result in a special query, which is, what’s the most uncommon or inventive upcycled merchandise you’ve ever included into a category journey design?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Um, I believe we’re most recognized for our lockers. I believe that proper behind you, plenty of our content material as a result of they’re lovely. And to be sincere, once we initially created this house, um, we flipped this classroom in 48 hours for a TV present. And in that point, we had been simply attempting to deliver magic to each nook, however we’re lacking the perform and what we had their perform. Effectively, however as soon as we truly had children within the room, we’re like, it may simply perform so significantly 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 truly terrible to color them. We simply had somebody ask us like, what particular paint did you employ? And my girlfriend, we use leftover paint, spray paint. I imply, in an effort 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 one in all our most useful. A kind of is jam-packed. We use it day by day and it’s lovely. It simply suits their house so significantly better and it simply took a little bit of a danger to purchase them and to present it a attempt.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I’m simply curious the place he even obtained a set of lockers.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
He instructed 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 and so they had been fairly dusty. He left, keep in mind? Yeah, he left like a backpack and a few instruments. We’re just like the male. Yeah. Oh, wow. However it’s attractive.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
It’s lovely.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
When you ever see one thing on the aspect of the highway of a desk, we’ll speak about 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 aspect of the highway, a small picnic desk, painted it, made it new and getting that new life in our classroom. And so it didn’t should 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 useful objects. Like, I believe you might have a imaginative and prescient. You see one thing you’re like, I can use this for this. And it’s not simply to brighten, but it surely’s making a useful house. So how do you stability creating an aesthetically pleasing room which there’s nothing incorrect 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 an exquisite classroom versus sustaining a useful studying atmosphere?
Company: 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 truly offered on this. And we’re so fast to say, we’re perform first. We’re aesthetic girlies, but in addition aesthetic is subjective. And when you’re not there with the perform first, the house isn’t going to serve you. And finally, that’s our backside line, is the house is there to serve each the trainer and the scholars for the utmost efficient engagement and instruction. We’re actually captivated with like once we, we do classroom makers for others we like have this entire interview course of the place it’s like what’s working what’s not working what do you completely have to 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 perform and aesthetics go hand in hand and like we mentioned aesthetics are subjective and and truthfully tendencies and issues are type of fleeting so in case you are have like a strong group system in case you have pupil group in case you have your supplies organized and issues after which you possibly can simply type 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 start out by what their classroom must perform, 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 sort 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 already know, however As soon as you are feeling such as you perceive like your personal wants as a trainer instructionally, then it’s it provides the additional enjoyable to say like, okay, I’d actually like this sort of a studying chair with like perhaps like a pom pom on this throw pillow. However attempting to suit your classroom into an aesthetic is one thing we’d not advise. As a result of tendencies type of come and go. And we once we began instructing 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 keep in mind chevron was like popping off oh yeah uh-huh chevron all the things we’re each in our classroom for certain and clearly that point has handed um however we stand by the issues that we’re in a position to do functionally in our classroom so we’d say begin there make an inventory of your entire main educational wants after which type of fill within the gaps with the issues which can be lovely 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 already know, after I was youthful, my motto was like style earlier than perform, proper? It’s like, you already know, whether or not it’s no matter it was style earlier than perform, so I might be carrying like probably the most uncomfortable footwear and persons are like, how do you stroll in these and I’d say like style earlier than perform, however
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Now that I’m outdated, it’s like perform, perform, perform, perform, no, no, truly, I believe with our garments, we may relate to you on that. I’m carrying a wedge that like, truthfully, just isn’t lifelike for a trainer to be carrying. However in the case of the pregnant trainer to be carrying actually however like as an individual who um began instructing 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 consistently like attempting to love hold 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 carried out so deliberately and nonetheless lovely after all however um yeah so we may have style and performance Sure.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
So change the mannequin. Yeah, we’ll change the mannequin to style perform perform.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
All the identical style perform 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 limiteless price range for only one space, not for the entire, like for the entire classroom, however perhaps only for one space of the classroom, which might you select? And the way would you make it completely extraordinary?
Company: 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 limiteless price range. It’s by no means crossed our thoughts. So to dream a little bit bit was actually enjoyable. And once we assume to our makeover winners, A whole lot of instances, plenty of our price range does go to different seating choices of their classroom. As a result of plenty of the instances 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 reward lecturers within the instances the place we do have a price range and plenty of our price range does go to no matter their wants are and if that’s what their wants are and so they wish to see versatile seating for his or her college students, we love to do this. So I believe within the artwork room, We had been desirous about our tables don’t serve us the way in which we want to see it in an artwork room both. They’re very giant tables. We frequently have little college students reaching throughout which you already know may be disastrous. Paint cups and waters and paintbrush. So I believe that we’d most likely do some improve on our desk scenario. We’d eliminate the classroom tables that had been simply handed to us that we simply make work in our surroundings and perhaps get some features higher for our artwork room. However I believe plenty of lecturers would agree that Once you’re handed the desks that you just, and generally lecturers do not need a selection at our college, they’d stroll into their room and so they had tables after they wished desks, or they’d desks after they wished tables, and also you simply should make these issues work. And we’ve carried out a reasonably good job making it work. However in that scenario, we had a limiteless price range. I believe we’d regulate our furnishings scenario in right here, as we’re oftentimes welcoming 50 college students at one time, 8 college students round one desk and so they’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 one of the best to its capacity. You realize, price range, we’d make smaller class sizes.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Yeah. Oh, is that even an possibility?
Company: 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 most likely go, I do know.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Proper. In January, I used to be lucky sufficient to go along with Faculty Specialty as they did a classroom makeover for a trainer. They stunned this trainer 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 reworked. 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 Faculty Specialty coming in and like simply remodeling this entire house. And it was unimaginable. So you could possibly try a few of these tables and desks too. Yeah. And there might be like Barry that can be like, right here you go.
Company: 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 instructing. What’s the single most impactful classroom group hack you’d share together with your youthful self and why?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
It’s humorous as a result of we truly assume so fondly of our first lecture rooms as a result of clearly it was like our first impression of instructing and we cared a lot about our lecture rooms that we dreamed of for years. And I discovered rather a lot 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 already know, get a little bit style of like instructing whereas I used to be nonetheless in school. However I keep in mind each of our first lecture rooms and one factor that we each valued a ton was clearly storage. We now have a a lot bigger room now as artwork lecturers, 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 already know, 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 in the case 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 entire 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 massive that held a ton of stuff, however you wouldn’t see any of it as a result of she had this like lovely curtain that was like a theme. shade scheme that coated all the things that was alongside the sting of her desk. And so like issues like that, the place it’s a must to 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. At the very least ours had been very slender 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 in a position to stack issues excessive. I do know there’s some instances the place it’s a must to ensure that security is, thought of. However there’s a lot 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 disguise all of them. Personally, for first yr lecturers and for second yr lecturers or no matter. When you’re not utilizing it, I’d say don’t really feel the trainer guilt of like, but it surely was free or somebody left it for me. Do away with stuff when you’re not utilizing it. Or if it’s not truly purposeful in your room, as a result of that was one thing I struggled with for most likely 4 years, not less than was like, holding on to a ton of stuff. And it like type of frazzled my mind, however I consistently 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 may have been used for a middle, however don’t be scared to type of edit your stuff yearly. Edit it down. Is that this working for me? Is it not? May one other trainer use it greater than I may? I may reward 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 things 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 eliminate plenty of my stuff. And it’s
Company: 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.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Effectively I believe it’s arduous for individuals such as you and I too as a result of if you’re a inventive particular person you see potential that you could possibly change this or that or have this particular perform 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 someone to return and say, I actually need this. Can I’ve it? And we’ll be like, right here you go. So you are feeling like there’s a goal, that will be a dream. I simply can’t eliminate it.
Company: 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?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
She wasn’t instructing. I really feel like she may 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 now have a section on our podcast known as Tag You’re It, the place the listeners write in with a query. And right now’s query just isn’t instructing associated. It comes from Jordan P. And the query is, when you may change locations with somebody, anybody for a day, who would it not be? And why?
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Oh my gosh. Okay. I’ve my reply.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I’ve mine too.
Company: 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.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
You’ll change your reply as a result of we talked about this on a regular basis. We dwell the identical life, however so no completely different. And it will 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 house and she or he could be right here and it will 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 dwell a mirrored life, it will be very insightful to simply spend a day in her footwear. Now, you’re proper. I used to be not considering massive.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Okay, no, I do know.
Company: 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 sincere we’re as a result of it provides us plenty of perception when like plenty of issues as mother and father you are feeling like oh am I doing the proper factor or what are my decisions like there are issues Loreal has introduced right into a dialog I’m like I’ve by no means considered that and our kids are so completely different too that it brings completely different methods up clearly my son’s on the spectrum so there’s plenty of issues that come up that she’s like I I didn’t know that you already know and vice versa
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
However I wish to know why you selected Taylor Swift.
Company: 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 unhealthy. 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 someday I used to be going to be a well-known pop star. And I most likely believed that with full certainty till I used to be like 15 years outdated. After which actuality began hitting after 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 someday identical to understanding what it’s really wish to be like a pop star and like, she’s clearly a mega icon. and businesswoman and identical to all the things, I simply assume it will be enjoyable. Like, you already know, 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 on daily basis 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 assume that will 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 needs to be me.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
She needs 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 dimension. As a result of like she mentioned, it’s humorous how mirrored are like, yeah, there’s like very particular issues that like may by no means even be near the identical. Yeah, it will be attention-grabbing. However that’s enjoyable.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Oh, you guys are so fortunate to have one another and dealing collectively so effectively. Yeah. I want each trainer had a piece buddy, like work sister work buddy like that, you already know, of their faculties, lots of people reaching out, they’re like, I want I had that.
Company: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
And we want so deeply that everybody brings the consolation and care of like a great pal, particularly career. Yeah.
Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Effectively, it actually you guys actually shine via 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 via. So thanks for making that contagious love, you already know, simply, you already know, unfold to everybody who follows you.
Company: 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 discovered 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.
Company: 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 can 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!
Stephanie and Loreal, with their intensive expertise in schooling, share useful insights on classroom group and design parts that improve pupil engagement. They focus on the significance of balancing aesthetics with performance whereas emphasizing the importance of making a welcoming atmosphere that sparks creativity and positively impacts studying outcomes.
You’ll hear skilled suggestions for budget-friendly classroom makeovers highlighting the transformative energy of upcycled objects. Stephanie and Loreal supply sensible recommendation on decluttering and organizing classroom areas with inventive storage options.
The episode concluded with a enjoyable section known as “Tag Your It,” the place our company selected who they’d change locations with for a day. Hear in to listen to how their solutions showcase their distinctive views and personalities!