Challenger: Jennifer Williams, 10th Grade English and 11th Grade AP English Teacher
Twitter: @jennwillteach
Blog: Jenn Will Teach
Jenn is moving into a new classroom this year so (in her own words), she’s working with a “blank canvas” and “moving in my library 1st to make it feel like home.” I have to confess to squinting and enlarging the image, trying to read the book titles.
Challenger: Traci Richardson, Science, Stillwater High School
Twitter: @scienceteachtk
According to Traci, “Still not ready. But my AC is working today & I have all my tables (still not enough chairs).”
I think her classroom looks just grand so far. I love the blue and yellow walls and different tables. I’m also jealous that her poles are blue -mine are gray and horrible. I’d like to see that bookcase up close -is it red? Is it orange? I’m also curious about the posters above the yellow and gray chevron bulletin board? Finally, where are the snakes?
Challenger: Kas Nelson, Vici Elementary School, Vici
Twitter: @kasnelson
Blog: A Principal’s Page
At long last, I have finally met Kas face to face and it only confirmed my opinion of her as a dynamic leader. She’s currently redoing her teachers’ lounge and I know it will reflect her vivacity as well as provide as a comfortable haven for the staff.
Challenger: Amy Fine, 6th Grade Math, Sequoyah Middle School, Edmond
Blog Post: It’s Fine in the Middle
Amy posted her challenge on her blog (http://fineinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-peek-inside-my-not-ready-classroom.html) and I was super impressed by her seating options. Besides the surprise of the baby in the corner and bright red carpet squares, I liked seeing the DIY standing desks and can’t wait to hear her students’ response. She’s got great use of color and I am excited every time I see that in outside of elementary. Other highlights for me included the easily accessible Remind QR codes and the bright yellow cabinet cover.
Challenger: Shanna Mellott, Senior English, Cache High School
Twitter: @lsmellott
Designing my classroom started in May when I knew that I would be teaching seniors and moving to a different building. I created a plan for the design. I decided to do away with a teacher’s desk and desks for the students. Instead, I will use chairs and tables. The chairs are around the Smartboard; this area is for discussions about the material. The tables are for the days that we reading and writing to do. I want my students to get up and move, not just sit and take notes. The pictures show the progress that has been made since June. The room had a baby blue color, which was painted black and white with red in the middle by the Smartboard. I also designed several objects to go in the classroom. Think of this room as a Victorian Gothic/Elizabethan design.
Challenger: Cathy Benge, Library Media Specialist, Longfellow Middle School, Enid
Twitter: @cathybenge1
Cathy is a veteran teacher turned first-year librarian taking no prisoners. One of the main features of her library will be a makerspace so big she had to take a panorama. All captions below are from Cathy.
Above: “More freebies for the Makerspace that need to be put away.”
Above: “Need to find a better way to keep wooden letters on textured wall!”
Above: “Classroom items waiting to be ‘dealt with’ from my move to library media.”
Above: “A basket of headaches” – cables that need to be matched up to their machines.
Challenger: Amy Watkins, Library Media Specialist, Central Middle School, Lawton
Amy invited me to her beautiful library earlier this week but I took so many pictures, I wasn’t sure how to best use them. I ended up narrating a photo tour on Youtube but I apologize for the delay.
Amy was extremely fortunate in that when the architect was working on her building, he worked out of the library so she was able to offer input on certain features such as the central location of the circulation desk. She has a large space but it has to be used for many purposes and groups. I really like her out-of-the-box ideas and resourcefulness as well as her theme “Read! And go along for the ride…” Even though she’s accomplished so much, she keeps the projects going. I can’t wait to see what she adds.
Challenger: Sarah Bruehl (@ladywolf2014), 7th Grade Reading and Language Arts Teacher, Tomlinson Middle School, Lawton
Sarah’s room is all about C’s: collaboration, creativity, and color. She’s got a lot of projects and ideas in motion and they are all student-centered.
Last Week of Summer Surprise Classroom!
Challenger: Jessica Lightle (@jalightle), Special Education Teacher and Tech Trainer, Puterbaugh Middle School McAlester
Youtube Channel: RUCHALLENGED Vlog
I found out that I am going to have my own classroom this year-2 weeks before school starts! So here is my short tour video made before I had to go to a 3 day workshop and move houses. Wish me luck!
Challenger: Mandi Cloud (@mandi_cloud), Kindergarten, Limestone Technology Academy, Sand Springs
Blog: Mrs. Cloud’s Kinders
Mandi Cloud is just one of the many Oklahoma teachers working in July. Check out her super colorful organization! Those bins are full of good stuff: math manipulatives and games. She’s also maxing out the brightness with the Word Wall.