3 Reasons it's Okay to NOT have a "Class Theme" this Year

It's a bit frightening to see how many teachers are stressing this summer about a new trend of 'personally branding' their classes.

"Oh no, I got married this summer... Last summer my class was Rosen's Rockets but this year my last name starts with 'S'... what goes well with S???? What do I do????"

"I want to do a leopard theme this year but someone in my school thinks doesn't like this for K. What do you guys think? I do a different animal theme every year..."

"I just spent $500 on decorations for my new class theme "Under the Sea". Someone talk me off the ledge... I can't believe I just spent $500!!"

I'm not sure what happened to a neat, clean, organized classroom BUT it seems the pressure to have elaborately themed classrooms is getting a bit over the top and causing so many teachers unnecessary stress and anxiety this summer. A teacher I recently spoke to actually switched from teaching 4th grade to teaching 11th grade because she said the pressure to keep up in the elementary grades was just WAY TOO MUCH.

Unless decorating like this is your thing (you ENJOY it and you're not financially suffering spending the money for it), awesome.

But if this causes ANY amount of stress for you, the tips below are for you.

1. There's a huge chance your students will NOT even notice

If you're like most teachers you don't have a ton of extra time and you certainly don't have time to WASTE, right? So spending hours thinking of a class 'theme', shopping for the decorations and then heading to school for hours during your summer break to get your hot, sweaty classroom set up is NOT the best use of your time.

Your students are NOT in school for a fancy, entertaining "Mermaid and Narwal" class theme. They probably won't notice and honestly, the fanciest classroom with a stressed-out teacher isn't a great place to be. Don't even stress it ... let it go and as long as the classroom is clean and inviting, you're doing great!

They want YOU.

Your warm smile, creative lessons, effective teaching strategies, AND a supportive community.

2. Your students need a place where they feel Safe and Secure

One of the primary needs of every student is the need for safety and security. No matter HOW you've decorated the room, YOU are the only person who can create a culture of safety and security.

Focus on making sure YOU have your head on straight and are feeling good at the beginning of the year. THIS is what matters most. 

Teachers who are emotionally stable and healthy will help students feel safe and secure.

3. Teaching is Not a Competition

I remember teaching with a teacher who has the most organized, beautiful classroom I've ever seen (and of course I told her that ALL.THE.TIME). I was OKAY with the fact that mine was totally NOT. Guess what, at the end of the day, you do what's best for YOU.

It's highly likely no one will ever remember your gorgeous classroom ... they will remember YOU and the legacy you're leaving behind. Unless you're trying to be remembered for being "Teacher with the Prettiest Classroom", don't even WORRY for a second about how your room looks. If your legacy is "Always Willing to Lend a Hand" and you just so happen to have a beautiful room, great! Someone along the way may mention it but chances are, no one will.

Some of us are more organized than others - that's okay!

Some of us are more creative than others - that's okay!

Whatever you're GOOD at, work to make that GREAT! Your 'bright spot' will be remembered way longer than the class theme of 2019.

??“At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” ??~Maya Angelou

If you're on summer break, work on YOU and your mental/emotional health.

Give your new students the BEST you and let the rest figure itself out.

THIS is what they'll remember! ??