Packing up a classroom is weirdly emotional. It’s never just boxes and binders. It’s routines you worked hard to build, systems you finally figured out, and about a thousand tiny moments that mattered more than you realized at the time.
Whenever I consult with teachers who were switching schools or grade levels, the same thing came up every single time: “What do I actually need to bring with me?”
An Episode of Hoarders or a duet with Elsa on “Let it Go”?
Here’s my honest take:
What to Keep
- The stuff that actually worked. Not the Pinterest-perfect ideas. The real ones.
- The visuals and communication supports you reached for on your hardest days. You know, the ones that magically prevented a meltdown or saved you five explanations.
- The laminated social stories that hit just the right tone. Not too babyish. Not too wordy. Like Baby Bear…just right.
- Your sensory bins that somehow survived multiple chewers. If it’s still intact, it deserves respect…and a good cleaning.
- Data tracking sheets and systems if they truly helped. Not the ones you printed and never used. Be honest with yourself.
- Absolutely pack your sentimental things. Photos. Thank-you notes. That random craft a student gave you that still lives in your desk drawer. Those are non-negotiable.
What to Let Go Of
This part is harder.
- Let go of the bulletin board borders from 2012. If you’ve moved them to three schools already, you’re not going to use them. It’s OK to admit it.
- Broken manipulatives and the pile of mysterious no-longer-sticky Velcro dots. Why do we all have those?
- Curriculum from your early teaching years. You’ve grown. Your teaching has changed. Your resources should too.
- Guilt. Honestly, leave it behind. The guilt about not doing enough. About not being “that” teacher on social media that you see. You don’t need to carry that into a new space.
Arrival Vibes
Once you arrive in your new location, focus on connection. Even if you’re more of a close-the-door-and-work kind of person, a little effort goes a long way.
I’ve watched this happen many times when consulting. The teachers who felt supported weren’t always the loudest. They just showed up. A simple, “Hi, I’m new and still can’t find the laminator,” breaks the ice faster than you’d like. (Pro tip: it’s usually near the copier. Hopefully near the coffee.)
Build Your Support Squad
Starting fresh means finding your people. It doesn’t happen overnight. And that’s normal.
- Introduce yourself, even if it’s just quick hallway hellos at first.
- Ask about routines. I guarantee someone can help you figure it all out and that is a way to establish rapport.
- Find your go-to people. Every building has them:
- The copier wizard
- The resource genius
- The calm-in-a-crisis teacher
- The one with the best snacks
- The one who has it all (seriously - some teachers have mini tool kits and travel-sized medicines in their classroom)
- Share snacks. I don’t have scientific research to back this up, but food can quickly bond people. Chocolate is always a favorite.
What to Avoid?
- Comparing your new classroom to your old one. There is nothing worst than a complaint to ruin the good vibes.
- Saying yes to everything right away. Ummm, no thanks.
- Trying to implement every new idea at once. That’s a fast track to burnout.
The Butterfly Stages of Teamwork
When you join a new team, you also enter something called Tuckman’s stages of team development. Fancy name. Very real experience.
- Forming is when everyone is polite and cordial.
- Storming is when personalities show up. You love structure. Your teammate thrives on chaos. Tension happens, and it’s uncomfortable. It’s also normal.
- Norming is when things start clicking. You find your rhythm. Trust grows.
- Performing is the sweet spot. Collaboration feels easier. You problem-solve together. You’ve got each other’s backs.
When I coach teachers through team transitions, I always say this: storming isn’t fan indication of failure. It is a natural part of the process and similar to growing pains for your team.
Butterflies don’t skip the cocoon stage. Neither do strong teams.
Protect Your Time
New roles come with new demands. Meetings. Paperwork. Learning curves. It piles up fast. Here are a few things to remember:
- Set boundaries. Pick your battles. Some things can wait. Some things don’t matter as much as we think they do (or as much as someone else does).
- Growth takes time. And you don’t have to master everything this month.
- And here’s the truth I”ve seen whether I was in a classroom or counseling. The teachers who thrive aren’t perfect.
- They reflect
- They adjust
- They forgive themselves
- Some days you’ll feel like you nailed it. Other days, you’ll eat lunch at 3:45 PM. Both days count.
So here is to fresh starts. To brave steps. To messy middle moments.
Although it might feel like you are just moving classrooms. It's more like you are making a step forward. Try your best to think of it as evolving.
And you’re allowed to take your time doing it.
