When You're Not Around

I'm finally allowed to enter my classroom and it is a hot mess!

Not only is it in disarray from the carpet cleaners, but I left a pretty big mess, too.

You see, I was BURNT OUT in June.

After a long and exhausting year, the last thing I wanted to do was organize and clean.

Needless to say, I'm paying for it now.

Normally, throughout the year when visitors would come into my classroom,

they'd always remark on how neat it was. I'd smile and take the compliment.

All a clever ruse!

If they opened a cabinet or drawer, they'd learn my secret.

I clean by stashing papers in closets, boxes, and file cabinets.

I've been in this classroom for eight years now and it shows.

Crap everywhere!

It is time for an intervention!

So, I thought I'd begin with my files and just throw or give away things I haven't used in a few years.

Some of the files I haven't looked at in a long while. Just added to them.

Well, while I was looking in my "Substitute" file I found it was full of unnecessary plans and letters.

Since I am a saver by nature, I have also collected a large amount of substitute notes.

Mostly, the subs would leave little notes saying the kids were great.

{That's all I want to hear, even if it is a lie. I hate coming back to class and having to discipline students for things I didn't see them do!}

Anyway, among the substitute notes I found some notes from my students.

These were back when I taught fourth grade, circa 2003.

Oh, they are too funny. Basically, the notes are from my informers.

The girls who could probably run the class better than me.

Below are a couple of my favorites:

 I'm wondering how it could be a good day if Dylan made Willie cry?

Poor Willie :(

 I like how Tara wants me to do "my work."

~~~~~~~**************~~~~~~~

Now, this is a letter from one of my subs.

I am NOT expecting you to try and read this.

Out of all of the notes I skimmed over, I couldn't believe the length of this one.

It's a novel!

I was only gone for a day for heaven's sake. T.M.I.

Do any of you keep notes like these or am I the only pack rat?