School days

So my first week back at school with the kiddos it officially over and I'm exhausted! During the week of pre-planning, I decided to give my desk a little makeover. I've been wanting some of these cute organizers that are everywhere. 

Problem was they are a little pricey for what they are and money at the end of summer is always tight! It was a want, not a need, so I decided to just update the one I've had. Here is what it looked like before.

(actually, there wasn't any black paint along the top...I got so excited to start the project I started painting before I remembered to take a pic)

I painted the top edges and the inside of the compartments black. Then I cut paper to fit along the outer edges and Modge Podged (If that's even a word?) my paper pieces on there. 

I used the same paper I used to make my post-it note holder (the one I made at my friends pinterest party), so now my desk is cute and coordinated. I also made a matching clipboard, but it was a pinterest fail and I'm too embarrassed to show you how horrible it is.

I heart modge podge.

Something else I love is my job. Somedays I hate it, but over all I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. One of the things I love most about teaching (besides summer vacation) is that it's one of the few jobs where you can begin new year after year. I get a new group of kiddos and parents. I can re-do my room. I can get rid of things that didn't work so well for me last year, and try new things this year. Every year, I make a few new "school year" resolutions. Here are my goals for this school year. Some are school related and some aren't.

• become a master at teaching science (each year I pick a subject area to really focus on...I hate science, so it is the last area to get picked)
• get in the habit of picking out my outfits for the week on Sunday to eliminate that morning stress of what can I wear? nothing fits! I have no clothes! Hopefully it will speed up my morning routine too since I wont be trying on 100 outfits every morning. Which brings me to my next goal...
• get to school earlier. No more rolling in the parking lot at 7:26 when I need to be in my room by 7:30
• make time to get to the gym
• cook more home made meals. Less take-out and cereal for dinner. 
• share/collaborate more with my team
• put more school related pinterest ideas into action. I have tons of great ideas pinned. I'm determined to start using them this year.
• and my last goal is to not lock myself (and my kids) out of our classroom...which has happend more times than I'd like to admit. We have a new rule where the doors must stayed locked at all times. Well this poses a problem when your keys are always lost. I finally broke down and bought this lanyard to wear daily, so that I won't leave my key in the room anymore. 

I like it because it kind of looks like a necklace.You can see it in my first day of school pic.

The last thing I'm loving right now are my new school supplies (nerdy I know). Just like the kids, every year I get a few new things to start the year out right. I have plenty of dry-erase markers and pencils, but these are my absolute favorite! It's just something about writing with a brand new marker that makes me happy.

My friend Heather over at Heather Runs Fast did a fun throwback school related post. Just thinking of trapper keepers and rocking the backpack with one shoulder strap just brought me back. Be sure to check it out!

What are some things you're loving right now?

What's you're favorite school supply?

Thank you so much for stopping by!! I hope you have a wonderful week!!

You can find me at these awesome parties:

Suburbs Mama, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Think Pink Sunday, Pin It Monday, Give Me The Goods Monday, Time To Sparkle Tuesdays, Tuesday's The Scoop, Make It Pretty Monday, Monday Funday, Terrific Tuesday, Show Me What You Got, Too Cute Tuesday, Home Made By You, Live Laugh Linky, Dandelion Wishes Wednesday, Work It Wednesday, Hooking Up With House of Hepworths, Two Girls and a Party, Transformation Thursday