The summer of 2012 was one of great expectations. Throughout the entire 2011-2012 academic year, the students and staff were aware of two very crucial and pertinent things that had a hand in why I started blogging.
1. It was the last year in our current school building which looked like this:
and…
2. We were returning after summer break to a brand new, state of the art building which looked (and still does look) like this:
As anyone who has ever moved anywhere will tell you, there is a lot of purging that must happen during the packing up process. Our old school was located in the industrial sector of our city and had been there for over 30 years. Many teachers, staff members, and students have passed through the corridors of the original JES – and had left behind a trail of papers, books, worksheets… you name it, we found it. The building itself was beginning to look its age and by the end of June of that year, I had decided that only my essentials were making their way into my new space.
You see, the great thing about moving into a brand new building is that everything is brand new. I went from a small rectangular classroom with an old school chalkboard to a large, bright clean classroom with a whiteboard and SmartBoard. I had new storage units, bookcases, and a brand new desk and I was determined to make my new space as awesome as it could be!
That summer, I was also introduced to the power of Teachers Pay Teachers and Pinterest! WOW! I could not believe the quantity and quality of resources and ideas that were out there right at my finger tips. That, along with the excitement and motivation of having a brand new school took me on a whole new direction to decorating my class… and that in turn, brought me to blogging.
After getting into my new classroom and getting tons of ideas on Pinterest, I went to work on the décor. And after getting my classroom set up, I posted some pictures of my personal Facebook account for people to see.
The response to the photos was incredible – and I received one comment from a former colleague that I had worked with for four year in Northern Quebec. Her comment was the one that gave me the idea to start blogging. Here is what she wrote:
Translation: I will look at the rest of your photos later because I have to leave. You should make a blog. You have a magnificent class!!! Lucky!! I want it!!!
So that was the little push I needed to get started and as Barney Stinson would say, “CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!” I had no idea what I was doing so I just went to WordPress but I followed the directions and my very first blog post was created. My main focus of the blog back then was to keep it as a communication tool between myself, my students, and their parents but as the years went on, I Heart Grade 3 has expanded to include so much more. Blog hops, linky parties, editorial opinion pieces, guest posts, TpT product promotion, and presence in other social media formats has taken this blog to a whole new level.
Blogging does take a lot a time and careful planning but it is something that I have grown to love. My blog has been met with positivity by co-workers, parents, friends, and educators from around the world. I have been able to collaborate with educators from all around the world and I do feel a great sense of pride when someone comments on a post or a photo that I have posted. And I must admit, it feels great to post the milestones that my students make on a daily basis!
So, now you know the reason behind how and why I started blogging. Now it’s your turn! Link up below and tell me your story! I can’t wait to hear it!
[inlinkz_linkup id=530303 mode=1]
Erin says
Wow, what a huge change! I hope your new room is everything that you wanted it to be! 🙂 Your classroom set-up is so awesome, it definitely deserves a Pinterset board! Great job!! I’m so glad to link up with blogs like this and ‘meet’ new people and make new friends! Thanks for hosting such a great linky! I’m finishing up my post so I can link up too! 🙂
Warmest Wishes,
Erin
http://www.kinderdragons.blogspot.com
I Heart Grade 3 says
Hi Erin,
This was my classroom 3 years ago. Last year I decided to tone things down quite a bit to see if soothing colours made any dramatic changes in the behaviours/ concentration of my students. You can read all about that here:
http://www.iheartgrade3.com/2014-2015-room-reveal/
I can’t wait to read what persuaded you to become a blogger!
Monica
rebecca says
I think that is great that you were suggested to start a blog. That means you were well noticed! Which is always a good thing now-a-days!!! But I do agree, the classroom is super cute. And even though I don’t have a “classroom” since we homeschool, I still get so many inspiring ideas from teachers like you for organization and set ups and themes I can do at home. I love everything you share! Especially since we will be starting 3rd grade next year 🙂
I Heart Grade 3 says
Thanks Rebecca! I’m planning a backyard bbq birthday party for my husband’s 40th this summer and the theme is rustic: burlap, mason jars, old-school blackboards, etc. I think I might take that inspiration and try it out in my classroom this fall. Goodness knows there are tons of ideas on Pinterest and at craft stores for that theme! It should make decorating a breeze!!!
Carrie says
Monica,
I love your old classroom set up! I want to apologize. Apparently, I was 1 number off when I put in my blog post link, but I don’t know how to delete it. So, I am sorry that I have 2 links up, including 1 that doesn’t work.
I Heart Grade 3 says
No worries! I’ll take a look at it in the morning and remove the one that doesn’t work! It’s all good!
Nikki Robertson says
Your new classroom looks so fresh and fab i love it! Especially the cute little kid stickers on the windows, they definitely add a little something extra!! I also just clicked the link to see your room for 2014-15 year and that also looks fab! You definitely have a knack of making the classroom look fresh, inviting and not too busy!
Have a great Summer!
I Heart Grade 3 says
Thanks, Nikki! Stay tuned for the new reveal in September!!!
Teresa says
What perfect timing for starting to blog. New classroom, new endeavor.
Teresa
Confessions of a Teaching Junkie
Contributor at Hello Sunshine!
I Heart Grade 3 says
Teresa,
The move to our new school was something so energizing and motivating! What an amazing feeling it was – and still is!
Monica
Najda says
Love your old classroom decor. I can’t wait to see your new decor for September. I am also glad that listened to your colleague, Nicole and started blogging.
I’ve just linked up. Thanks again for a great linky! You are motivating me to blog even more!
I Heart Grade 3 says
Stop it Najda! It’s people like you who are motivating ME to blog!
Thanks!!!
Kristin says
I’m incredibly jealous of your new building! Our building certainly shows its age and I have absolutely no wall space. It’s all boards and shelving (a blessing and a curse!). Thanks for sharing how you got your start and hosting this fabulous link-up!
Kristin
I Heart Grade 3 says
Thanks Kristin!
It was so great to move into the new school! It took many years of hard work on behalf of teachers and parents to get the project off the ground. That’s a hard thing to do in the public school system.
Monica
Tina W says
I agree, much like teaching, blogging takes time, dedication and is a work of love. 🙂
I posted my weekly link-up post here: http://twinkleteaches.blogspot.com/2015/06/weekly-summer-link-up-why-i-started.html
I Heart Grade 3 says
Great having you join up, Tina!
Danielle says
Thanks for hosting!
I’m not sure if you successfully got my request last week, but I’d love to get the code info for the link-up to post at the bottom of my blog post. Also, does the link up open each week on Monday?
Best,
-Danielle
I Heart Grade 3 says
Hi Danielle! Inlinkz is so new to me that I am still had trouble implementing the code this week! It’s on my to-do list to learn more about it! Link-ups do start each Monday and I’ll see about getting you the code to put in your post! It must be the same as the one I put in my post, right?