My goodness, I do not know where almost 6 weeks have gone, but on Wednesday, I return to work for the spring semester of classes. This particular semester will be one of change for me, or maybe better stated, transition.
I have taught all of my classes, for all of the 13 years that I've been teaching, in the same classroom. It has been my choice to do so, and luckily I have a wonderful department chairman who does all he can to keep everyone happy. This will be my last semester in this classroom. No, I am not leaving my job (not yet anyway!!), but the building is slated to be demolished and reconstructed over the next 3 years. This will begin in June of this year.
Now, you may be asking, "So what is your attachment to this particular classroom?"
Well you see I am currently teaching at the university from which I graduated. I spent just under 10 years there getting my degree, and was hired to teach a month before I graduated. More than half of the mathematics classes I took were taken in this classroom. I laughed (rarely) in this room, I cried (A LOT) in this room. Some of my greatest successes as well as failures were experienced in this room, but above all else; it was here where I truly learned to believe in myself. It is going to feel very strange when I walk out of here for the last time when the semester ends in May.
And so for today, quick iPhone snaps. My office and my classroom. Definitely from the heart.
Please forgive if I am a bit slow in visiting this week as I switch over to "work mode." Happy Monday to you, and have a beautiful week ahead!
56 comments:
There is quite a history in that room, Lisa! Your office looks lovely.....the classroom not so much. Maybe you'll get an upgrade! Have an easy transition back to work.
Everything has its end. I think you are very fond of your first office.
You will be busy to move your new office.
You have many precious memories in your office.
Please keep them carefully.
So it is back to the saltmines again then this week. It'll be Easter soon :-)
I can see how that particular space is precious to you, holding so many emotions. Hope your new surroundings will be equally influential.
Hi Lisa,
My, such personal history is tied to that room! I can see where this will be an emotional transition for you. I'm hoping that you will be given a nice room to build some new history in - maybe it will have some great stories to tell, too, by the time you retire?? Isn't it interesting how places and objects gain such significance by the memories that we have tied to them?!
Wishing you a wonderful week and an easy transition back into the classroom,
xo~ Anna
Yes, it will be a time of change for you after all these years in this space. (My youngest sister now teaches in the room that was "mine" for so many years; she said she still finds herself identifying it with my name...and she's been there 10 years, herself!) I hope spring semester is a good one for you.
I didn't know you are a teacher. A noble profession indeed.
It is tough to move on from a place that has so many beautiful memories.
But here is wishing you even more happiness and good times in a new classroom, Lisa.
Have a great week :)
Wishing you the best for your working year. Such a special place to come back too.
How bitter sweet for you to have to leave the room in which you grew up in. Enjoy your first week back at school...and your last semester there. Happy Monday!
Lisa, I quite understand, lots of important memories in that room for you! Thank you for sharing your room with us today :) (please forgive my linking up to Friday's post for my offering today, such a busy weekend, no time to post a fresh one!) Have a great week Lisa :)
That's a really special connection you have with that classroom! It probably makes you relate to your students that much more, remebering the times when you were one?
I can certainly understand your emotional attachment! How wonderful that you will have a new space to teach! Great photos! Got to love that IPhone!
My housband is a teacher - a creative and nobel respectfully job. Think of all the learning in that classroom. Have a nice day :0)!
Although the end of this era will likely be a sad one, I'm sure there will be new adventures for you to enjoy. :)
It sounds like that room is filled with poignant memories and life lessons...no wonder you feel sad about leaving it! I wish you much success as you enter this new chapter of your life.
A teacher is a super star in my book. May your new room bring many new memories.
Change is often difficult and this case you have spent so much time in this room flooded with various emotions...so I can see how this may be a hard time for you. However, rejoice in knowing that change is often good for the creative spirit!
Lisa,
How wonderful that you have had the chance to work in a place with so much personal history and meaning! That is a very special gift.
Lots to look forward to .. and hang onto those memories you'll be adding lots of new ones ..
Oh I feel quite sad about it for you. Definately a very emotional attachment you have for it.
Hope you new class turns out to be a good one and compares nicely this one.
Good luck in your new classroom!
ooh, bittersweet words and photos. big change is about to come. what's that saying - when one door closes another opens or something like that. new can be very exciting - it brings with it opportunity and growth. it's forward looking and happy, sort of like the season of spring. wishing you all good things in your coming season of spring Lisa. thanks for hosting TCE. and happy week to you.
I can absolutely understand your attachment to that room! That's quite some time and a lot of memories! Have a most wonderful spring semester in this room!
Lisa, your story and your pictures are truly from the heart.
I can understand how much means for you this classroom. There were happy and not so happy moments. This classroom was your friend and probably silent listener.
I wish you all the best with your new classroom.
And I am sure that you will have again and again greatest successes in your work as a teacher.
These are very interesting pictures, dear Lisa, they tell a story about you.
Happy Monday to you too.
I wish you good luck with the new classroom. I like your photos of the old one.
Hope you got a lovely and creativ week.
Thanks for your nice comments, and the Creative Exchange.
Hug from Hilda
What a special story. I hope your last semester in this classroom is your best one yet!
So many beautiful emotions spent in this classroom are worth some nice photos.
How interesting to work where you studied, hope it is a smooth transition both into work this week & all the changes that will happen in June.
I can see how you would have such an emotional attachment to this room. I am sure you have taken many photos to help keep those memories alive! On the other hand, it does sound exciting and revitalizing to have a new room to be in soon. :)
That is the neatest teacher's desk I have ever seen! Quite an emotional semester this will be for you, but adventure is good for the soul... :) Love the chair photo!
A bittersweet moment for sure ... but then, you will be creating some new memories! Have a great semester!
Lisa, thanks for sharing your office and your room where so much has happened. thinking maybe you should read the book WHO MOVED MY CHEESE. LOL. Bet great and new things will be coming up for you in the future though. Happy "back to work"! Jeanne
You know change is just hard sometimes and just the length of time you have been not to mention your history of that time!
But I have found that there is usually at least one thing that I gain from something I lose.
Here is to new beginnings! xo
I like seeing your classroom...and being attached to a place for so long, it always carries memories-the good and the not so good. I suppose that is life.
The best part about having something new is the unexpected treasures that come-not right away, but down the road. Things that wouldn't have happened had you been "back at the old place". A good time to read "who moved my cheese"...again. I've read it many times.
I hope you enjoy your last session of teaching there....and have wonderful fresh "teaching in one hand heart in the other" moments in the new one down the road.
Happy day Lisa. Hope th semester gets off to a good start.
Oh, that will be a difficult day when it comes. Take lots of pics of that building!
Oh my I can see why you have an attachment to that class. Will you be able to take something as a memento. V
That's quite a history. I admire you for studying math. If I could do it over again, I would definitely try harder to learn it better. Bittersweet, the end of an era (actually two).
I've been on a bit of a break and now I'm trying to get back some kind of structure.
I love seeing the pictures of your office and classroom, Lisa. It will be hard to leave after so many years.
Have a good time this week getting acquainted with your students!
What a special place indeed, Lisa!
I guess we are all in some kind of transition (it is the energy of the times) and the ones who grasp the meaning and beauty of the moment are the ones who leave unscathed and fulfilled. I wish it will be so for you . . .
Woof Lisa!
I'm woofy late.
Keeper kept asking me to look after my father!
If you will drooly accept a dog in your class count me in!
thank you for sharing your story with us, this room became important to me too. it's like changing home. everytime I had to change home I thanked the old one for all that it gave me. transitions are not easy but can be a good surprise. enjoy your room and thank you it for all you've lived there. it's part of your history. xxo
Ahh...transitions...
difficult yet refreshing.
Best of luck!
How wonderful that you've been able to stay in that classroom for so many years. I know it will be a bittersweet semester for you!
Thats a wonderful story and sounds like you have a very emotional parting ahead of you but new beginnnings and all that...
Mollyxxx
Lisa, you'll bring your energy and joy into that new classroom, and I know you'll make it a place with good memories for the students to come. Thanks for sharing from your heart.
I can understand the emotional attachment. Hoping for a smooth transition to the new work area. **hugs**
I know the feeling too well! :)
Wow, what a history you have with that classroom. I hope you new space is soon filled with equally wonderful memories!
Lisa: I so get "where did six weeks go"? I was laid off 12/8/11. I start a new job tomorrow! Six weeks. Was it long enough? Yes and no.
Thanks so much for your best wishes!!
I also understand attachments as simple as a classroom. ;-> Best to you in your pending transition.
Hello Lisa,
I participate for the first time in your wonderful meme.
I like your photographs, too.
Regards and best wishes
Understandable & I can see where it would be a bit sad!
It's a good thing I have an actual camera, because if I had to rely on my cell-cam, nooooobody would wanna see the pics!!! heheheee Yes, it's THAT bad!
Have a great week, Lisa! =)
Just flipping through the list of thumb-size photos was a great, never mind browse through your gorgeous blog.
My first-time visit... for sure it won't be my last!!
Wishing you lots more glimpses of heaven in unexpected places........
wat a better way to 'give back'? :)
The "end" of something is always hard to face. You have experienced a lot in that room and I am sure it has helped shape you into the person you are. On the positive side, you will find your niche in another place that will also become an important part of your life. The entries in the Creative Exchange this week were stunning! Happy weekend. Mickie ;)
LIsa, What a beautiful post! How bittersweet to make this transition. How lovely to have the history and continuity of space and place to learn and work all these years. I'm sure your students could sense your connection and love for this space. An adventure lies ahead, though. Something wonderful is to come. :)
It's always a challenge to say goodbye to something we treasured.
Your photography is stunning as always Lisa.
Take care.
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