Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Hiya pals! 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 often known 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 surroundings options that can assist you remodel greater than lecture rooms. That is the Schoolyard Podcast, a podcast by educators, for educators, the place the magic of studying unfolds. In the present day, our fantastic friends, Stephanie Osmondson and Loreal Hemenway of @happilyeverelementary have again to high school in thoughts. Like many academics proper now, we shall be discussing what we love a lot, which is sharing classroom setup suggestions and sensible concepts on creating purposeful and alluring areas. These two academics are usually not solely colourful and inventive, they’re so enjoyable and dynamic. Stephanie and Loreal convey 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 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 suggestions with the colourful neighborhood 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.

Visitors: 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 as we speak. Final time you had been on our podcast, you share some superb tips about creating an inclusive classroom surroundings that may spark creativity. We obtained an unbelievable quantity of optimistic suggestions in your episode. And I’m not shocked by this, but it surely was our hottest, most streamed episode.

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

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
You guys are superior. You’re clearly cherished 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 contemporary new college yr?

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We’re at all times excited to form of bounce again in. There’s simply one thing in regards to the power you get on a college campus that sadly, regardless that we’re like filling our personal cup in the course of the summer time, it’s not essentially the identical power, particularly as two mothers. We’re residence and we actually aren’t resting that a lot proper now with our littles. And there’s something about checking in together with your college neighborhood that does provide you with this like elevate and this jolt of power that we’re actually excited to faucet again into seeing our workers 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.

Visitors: 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’ve got two panels which might be stuffed with bulletin board kits that we’ve created for our Academics Pay Instructor Retailer. We’ve had them on show, after which we at all times save the items in a pleasant Ziploc bag, and so they’re simply sitting there. So we thought, what higher approach 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 faculty, 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 in the event you took signups on-line, you’ll get like 1000s and 1000s of individuals saying come to our faculty and do a board for us.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We frequently get folks within the feedback like come see me and do my board. And we had been that the majority of our workers 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 battle 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 present to them.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
That’s superb. You guys are simply giving again to your college and simply at all times seeking to assist others. I like that. So if you’re planning your classroom group and decor for the next college yr, the place do you begin? Nicely, I at all times 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?

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
I’ve seen that as effectively with different folks is like, once they’re like day one classroom arrange the primary day watching every thing like yeah. We’ll see as artwork academics, our dynamic and checklist of obligations is so extremely totally different. We’re not having to prep our Meet the Instructor letters in the identical approach. We’ve alternatives like that as specialists, but it surely’s not the identical approach you’re chargeable for your class. We’re not having to laminate homework folders or issues like that. Nonetheless, we do have a tendency to start out with perform. And for us as artwork academics, and we did this within the Gen Ed classroom as effectively, we try to take into consideration, effectively, what might enhance from final yr and ensure that we’re like form of reflecting on the actual fact of like, oh, that that was a battle for me like time and time once more. And actually, we might in all probability be fascinated with that the earlier college 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 attempting one thing new that might work and I feel that’s why on our social media we’re so keen about saying like we’re attempting this new factor and you understand 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 understand as you study and develop you understand your college students have extra alternative as effectively um however yeah I feel for our academics particularly there have been issues like um that we needed to enhance A kind of issues for us specifically 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 could possibly be a wide range of issues, whether or not it’s like, you understand, adapting to new curriculum or wanting higher scholar group. However I feel these are issues that we and the college you’re wanting ahead to bettering going into a brand new one.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
I like that a number of instances skilled academics form of get within the rut of doing the identical factor yr after yr. And I feel 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 in fact, it’s for the youngsters, too. However for our sake, too, after we try new issues, we really feel you understand, 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 impression on scholar engagement and studying outcomes?

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
There’s a number 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 all the way down to it, creating an aesthetic of a welcoming surroundings with colours and vibrancy and issues that have interaction college students actually does make a giant change within the scholar tradition and having the youngsters really feel welcome into your room. There’s nothing higher than wanting on the face of a scholar strolling right into a classroom the primary time. It’s palms down one in every 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 may see it on their face. They mild up and see the little touches that you just suppose nobody’s going to note. And youngsters will stroll proper as much as them and wish to contact them or have a look at them. And it’s really magical creating these environments for college students. And it simply units the tone for the whole college 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 undoubtedly one in every of our favourite elements.

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.

Visitors: 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 number 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 dad and mom, they’ll come up our occasions, after which they’ll see what we’re about. And a number of the instances there may be this preliminary shock issue with the areas we create. And like Laura stated, it’s normally the youngsters, however there’s been a pair dad and mom that pull us apart and so they’re like, if I used to be coming to this college as a scholar, I’d be so excited to come back again. They usually’ve stated issues like, clearly, like, I want our faculty had this sort of factor rising up. And like, I can completely relate to that. And so like Loreal stated, it’s it’s there’s like this Feeling that surroundings can provide and that’s what we stand behind is a way of security safety Pleasure after which when youngsters are like purchased in in that approach, 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 educate with you at your college. Yeah, I’ll take the I’ll take the decrease one. The largest one you’ve. 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.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Okay, so we talked about this as a result of there’s other ways to go about it. And folks’s budgets are totally different and generally you’ve extra assist financially out of your college. Then others in the case of like our large classroom makeovers and issues that like we’ve got 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’ve got gotten a number of permission from the college from the district from the instructor. And so paint can go a great distance in the event you’re in a position to. Nonetheless, Loreal and I are pondering again to love, the times after we weren’t a enterprise. And we had been doing makeovers for pals and for faculties with zero price range and so we might 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 straight away 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 acquired gifted for commencement presents in order that wasn’t even one thing we paid for however the distinction that it might make if you’re keen to love form of suppose creatively and suppose exterior of the field like we had one of many makeovers was for a mum or dad volunteer room or a mum or dad 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 cherished it beautiful 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 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 a protracted piece of butcher paper and reduce out slightly, what’s that referred to 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 impression that it made, and I’m certain the volunteers, as a result of that was not our faculty 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 objective. And we solely used paper and a few burlap for that entire makeover. And I feel the impression was nonetheless there, you understand? So don’t restrict your self to your price range. You understand, suppose exterior the field and run together with your creativity as a result of so much will be completed.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Mm hmm. I feel 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 surroundings that you understand, that’s like, like a change of only a easy classroom. You guys have a magical contact.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
We by no means need academics to really feel like with a purpose to have a classroom of your desires or a classroom area that’s stunning and alluring that you need to pour cash into it since you actually. shouldn’t and don’t need to and thoughts you we’ve got suggestions and methods on how one can get cash if you’d like and free issues on your classroom however the backside line is you are able to do so much simply being inventive with the issues which might be both offered to you or issues you’ve round the home and we at all times wish to take home goods and different issues round that we might present that like this could possibly be one thing that’s stunning and you could possibly remodel it into one thing stunning and it doesn’t have to interrupt the financial institution.

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Proper. A variety 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 understand, I acquired like my I don’t know in the event 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 need to get inventive and spend the time.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Yeah, pondering exterior the field is the way you ask for issues. I feel some individuals are comfy simply asking, however like we used to place in our like open home slideshow, your trash could possibly 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 stated, upcycle it for certain.

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

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Um, I feel we’re most recognized for our lockers. I feel that proper behind you, a number of our content material as a result of they’re stunning. And to be trustworthy, after 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 attempting to convey magic to each nook, however we’re lacking the perform and what we had their perform. Nicely, however as soon as we really had youngsters within the room, we’re like, it might simply perform 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, with a purpose 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 every of our most purposeful. A kind of is jam-packed. We use it every day and it’s stunning. It simply matches their area so a lot 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 acquired a set of lockers.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
He advised us, proper? He acquired 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 shifting 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 beautiful.

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

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
If you happen to ever see one thing on the aspect 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 aspect 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 need to 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 feel you’ve 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 purposeful area. So how do you stability creating an aesthetically pleasing room which there’s nothing improper with. We spend a lot of our faculty day within the classroom. So in fact, I would like it to be very aesthetically pleasing too. However how do you discover the stability between simply having a wonderful classroom versus sustaining a purposeful studying surroundings?

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
So we love this query. And Nancy, we acquired 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 perform first. We’re aesthetic girlies, but additionally aesthetic is subjective. And in the event you’re not there with the perform first, the area isn’t going to serve you. And finally, 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 keen about like after 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 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 perform and aesthetics go hand in hand and like we stated aesthetics are subjective and and actually traits and issues are form of fleeting so if you’re have like a strong group system in case you have scholar group in case you have your supplies organized and issues after which you may simply form of change and tweak the issues that convey you pleasure as a result of that can change additionally all through time um you’re going to be strong so we might advise folks to start out by what their classroom must perform, whether or not that’s like, okay, my carpet time must function this fashion, or I would like 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 realm rug that you just’re like, oh, that is how I wish to invite them to the carpet, you understand, 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 sort of a studying chair with like possibly like a pom pom on this throw pillow. However attempting to suit your classroom into an aesthetic is one thing we might not advise. As a result of traits form of come and go. And we after we began educating was it rainbow with chalkboard? Yeah, it was like actually aesthetic. uh-huh you do not forget that it was like oh yeah rock board and that i keep in mind chevron was like popping off oh yeah uh-huh chevron every thing 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 might say begin there make a listing of your entire main educational wants after which form of fill within the gaps with the issues which might be stunning and that convey 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 understand, as you guys are speaking, I used to be simply smirking away as a result of, you understand, after I was youthful, my motto was like vogue earlier than perform, proper? It’s like, you understand, whether or not it’s no matter it was vogue earlier than perform, so I could possibly be carrying like probably the most uncomfortable sneakers and individuals are like, how do you stroll in these and I’d say like vogue earlier than perform, however

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Now that I’m outdated, it’s like perform, perform, perform, perform, no, no, really, I feel with our garments, we might relate to you on that. I’m carrying a wedge that like, actually, shouldn’t be sensible for a instructor to be carrying. However in the case of the pregnant instructor to be carrying 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 continually like attempting to love maintain my head above water and now realizing the programs that like we’ve got in place collectively in our artwork room it brings us a lot peace of thoughts um realizing that like even when stuff comes up in a day like our classroom is serving us so like we’re good we are able to determine something out as a result of there’s so many different issues which were finished so deliberately and nonetheless stunning in fact 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 perform perform.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
All the identical vogue 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 in the event you had an infinite 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?

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Oh, wow, this query acquired us pondering. So thanks. bringing that to mild as a result of we don’t ever take into consideration a world the place we’ve got an infinite price range. It’s by no means crossed our thoughts. So to dream slightly bit was actually enjoyable. And after we suppose to our makeover winners, A variety of instances, a number of our price range does go to different seating choices of their classroom. As a result of a number of the instances in your classroom, what you’re given by your college is a set of furnishings that won’t serve your college students. And so versatile seating is one thing that We like to reward academics within the instances the place we do have a price range and a number 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 feel within the artwork room, We had been fascinated with our tables don’t serve us the best way we want to see it in an artwork room both. They’re very massive tables. We frequently have little college students reaching throughout which you understand will be disastrous. Paint cups and waters and paintbrush. So I feel that we might 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 our surroundings and possibly get some capabilities higher for our artwork room. However I feel a number of academics would agree that While you’re handed the desks that you just, and generally academics shouldn’t have a alternative at our faculty, they’d stroll into their room and so they had tables once they needed desks, or they’d desks once they needed tables, and also you simply need to make these issues work. And we’ve finished a fairly good job making it work. However in that state of affairs, we had an infinite price range. I feel we might modify 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 and so they’re sharing a small quantity of provides and you’ll think about it. It’s not at all times clear and it’s not at all times functioning the very best to its means. You understand, price range, we’d make smaller class sizes.

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

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
You stated 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 together with College Specialty as they did a classroom makeover for a instructor. They stunned 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 programs, 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 College Specialty coming in and like simply reworking this entire area. And it was unbelievable. So you could possibly try a few of these tables and desks too. Yeah. And there could possibly be like Barry that shall be like, right here you go.

Visitors: 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 together with your youthful self and why?

Visitors: 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 so much from Loreal in faculty 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 understand, get slightly style of like educating whereas I used to be nonetheless in faculty. However I keep in mind each of our first lecture rooms and one factor that we each valued a ton was clearly storage. We’ve 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 understand, 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 slightly 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 large 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. colour scheme that lined every thing that was alongside the sting of her desk. And so like issues like that, the place you need to like, not simply take the storage. We got these apothecary wardrobes the place there’s 1,000,000 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 want. And so issues like that, we’d get inventive with and you’ll cowl it up in the event you’re in a position to stack issues excessive. I do know there’s some instances the place you need to ensure security is, thought-about. However there’s a number of issues like that the place it’s like if that you must retailer stuff, like get inventive about it, cowl it up. It’s all good. However I’ll cover all of them. Personally, for first yr academics and for second yr academics or no matter. If you happen to’re not utilizing it, I’d say don’t really feel the instructor guilt of like, but it surely was free or somebody left it for me. Eliminate stuff in the event 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, a minimum of was like, holding on to a ton of stuff. And it like form of frazzled my mind, however I continually 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 form of edit your stuff yearly. Edit it down. Is that this working for me? Is it not? Might one other instructor use it greater than I might? I might reward it to another person or simply donate or trash it relying on what it’s. However I feel that was one thing that like took me a very long time to study personally as a result of Loreal has been at all times 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, every thing 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 objective was to do away with a number of my stuff. And it’s

Visitors: 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.

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Nicely I feel it’s onerous for folks such as you and I too as a result of if you’re a inventive individual you see potential that you could possibly change this or that or have this particular perform and so I feel 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. Nicely, we simply want any individual to come back and say, I actually need this. Can I’ve it? And we’ll be like, right here you go. So you’re feeling like there’s a goal, that may be a dream. I simply can’t do away with it.

Visitors: 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?

Visitors: 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 a phase on our podcast referred to as Tag You’re It, the place the listeners write in with a query. And as we speak’s query shouldn’t be educating associated. It comes from Jordan P. And the query is, in the event you might change locations with somebody, anybody for a day, who wouldn’t it be? And why?

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

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

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

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

Visitors: 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 totally different. And it might 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 residence and she or he can be right here and it might be I desire a day within the life along with her on her days. And as a lot as like, I really feel like we do reside a mirrored life, it might be very insightful to only spend a day in her sneakers. Now, you’re proper. I used to be not pondering large.

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

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
He’s proper, although. I’ll say I feel 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 number of perception when like a number of issues as dad and mom you’re feeling like oh am I doing the best 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 kids are so totally different too that it brings totally different methods up clearly my son’s on the spectrum so there’s a number of issues that come up that she’s like I I didn’t know that you understand and vice versa

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

Visitors: Stephanie Osmundson & Loreal Hemenway @happilyeverelementary:
Let me inform you. And it’s not essentially as a result of folks 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 in all probability believed that with full certainty till I used to be like 15 years outdated. After which actuality began hitting after I acquired 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 feel someday identical to realizing what it’s really wish to be like a pop star and like, she’s clearly a mega icon. and businesswoman and identical to every thing, I simply suppose it might be enjoyable. Like, you understand, 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 only stroll a day in her life. And I’d love for her to stroll a day in my life. And I simply suppose that may 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.

Visitors: 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 this on for measurement. As a result of like she stated, 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 might 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 instructor had a piece buddy, like work sister work buddy like that, you understand, of their faculties, lots of people reaching out, they’re like, I want I had that.

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

Host: Nancy Chung @fancynancyin5th:
Nicely, 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 youngsters actually shine by way of. So thanks for making that contagious love, you understand, simply, you understand, unfold to everybody who follows you.

Visitors: 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. Nicely, it was fantastic having you again. Nicely, 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.

Visitors: 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 jot down in with a query which we are going to reply right here on The Schoolyard Podcast for our phase referred to 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 shall 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!