Quantcast

Betty's Blog

Timely Teacher Talk

Sponsored Links

A test to see if you are indeed a neat freak

As a person who is about as removed from being a neat freak as an individual can possibly be, I am always in awe of those who seem to have everything in its place, organized, and ready to go.  These are the people whose homes and classrooms are so neat that others might feel just a wee bit intimidated.  My older grandson remarked yesterday that he was happy to see that I had finally cleaned out my car.  Of course, he wasn't looking in the trunk.  Oh happy day that cars come with closets.  Where would messy people be without trunks?  It's kind of like carrying a really big purse.

When I was a full time teacher, I did my best to leave a neat desk every day.  Some of my sixth grade girls considered it their job to tidy up for me every now and then.  You can check out a Neat Freak Quiz for a little fun, but seriously, if you are one of those "lucky" people who were born organized, you know.

Being organized and prepared is so important when teaching.  Even if it's a struggle, it sure helps to be on top of things all day long.  The day just goes so much better.  If you have some suggestions for ways to stay organized, I'm all ears.  (No jokes, Linda.)

Share this post: Email It | Bookmark It | Digg This | Reddit | Stumble It
Add to favorites: Favorite Post | Favorite Blog | Favorite Author
Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:44 PM by Betty
Comments

linda said:

Throw your husband (and his belongings) out with the bathwater; not the baby.

# November 26, 2008 4:04 PM

linda said:

oops, just remembered that this advice doesn't apply in your case.

# November 26, 2008 4:06 PM

Betty said:

There must be more than one Linda.:)

# November 26, 2008 5:35 PM

mz.w said:

omg! i was the queen of the paper stacks last year. i swear, my room was a fire hazard waiting to happen. doing much better this year and teaching is easier, although i must admit my desk is careening out of control at the moment. i have no tips. being organized is something i've been working on my whole life and turning 30 seems to have helped? the whole mantra of "a place for everything and everything in its place" helps too. i was actually able to tell a coworker exactly where my white-out was and he could get to it w/out injuring himself along the way :)

# November 27, 2008 12:17 AM

Eileen said:

I am doing better this year than last.  Last year I sometimes couldn't see the top of my desk for three months.  The worst it's been this year is 7-10 days. Many days I'm able to get my desk semi-cleared off before going home.  This has been one of my goals this year.

Eileen

Dedicated Elementary Teacher Overseas

elementaryteacher.wordpress.com

# November 27, 2008 4:29 AM

jtspencer said:

Our new principal is trying to crack down on "messy teachers" by sending out flaming e-mails about stacks of papers, boxes, messy desks.  It hasn't been working, so now she's trying to create a contest to see who has the cleanest classroom.  The winner gets the "golden broom" award. If it was a Nimbus 2001, it would be awesome.  Otherwise it's not worth it.  

What this shows is that people are clueless about what it means to be a teacher.  Some of the best teachers are not organized in the conventional sense.

# November 27, 2008 8:51 AM

Betty said:

I am the type of person who gets organized and then can't find anything.  If we expect to recognize all of the hidden talents in our students, then teachers need to also be recognized as being able to be different and have unique gifts. Although being organized helps, messy people can be effective teachers too.  I'm sure I would have never received the golden broom award, which is good since it would only add to the clutter.:)

# November 27, 2008 10:07 AM

Melissa B. said:

My Hubby is the Neat Freak around here. Although since having children, I tend to have the urge to pick up around the house. The kids, naturally, are the slobs! BTW, don't forget to tune in to Sx3 today...we've got the Holiday Spirit!

# November 30, 2008 1:29 PM

Hannah Montana said:

I consider myself as a very organized person; however organization takes so much time form my life that I have to wonder if being extremely organized is such a good thing after all.  If I could find a way how to become more organized with my time than that would surely change my life and make it less stressful.

# December 2, 2008 7:53 PM
New Comments to this post are disabled.