Drum roll Please.

I guess I've kept you all waiting long enough. I bet you're salivating like a lion that sees a gazelle across the grassland. You're so not, but entertain me. I told you all yesterday that I got a new job. What could it be? What could it be?

Now while I would love to have a job like being an ice cream taste tester, or a mattress tester, an animal menagerie manager, or just a Blogger like our friend Jenna from this past season of The Bachelor, I will be none of these things. I will be (drum roll please)...

a teacher.

And now you're saying, "Excuse me, Sarah. You're already a teacher". To which I reply, "Yes, dear friend. You are correct."

I am keeping my title of "teacher" but I applied for and accepted a job at another elementary school in my county. Now that the whole application and interview process is over, I am so excited and relieved. The whole decision-making and pro and con list making was nerve-racking and a stress on my mind and heart since December. 

You see, I'm a lucky lady. I currently teach at a wonderful school, in a grade level that I adore, with teaching teammates that aren't just some of the greatest kindergarten teachers I know, they're also my very good friends. I enjoy going to work everyday, and for that, I feel extremely lucky. It was not an easy thing to decide to give all of that up. Packing up my current classroom will be a very hard thing to do next month. That's when it will become so real.

The school that I will be at next year is a newly constructed school that will relieve the over-population of my current school and another school in the county. 

The attraction of a brand new building with state-of-the-art things was appealing. Duh. I'm a liar if I said that wasn't a factor. And the principal of my current school was hired to be the principal of the new school. I wanted to go with her. But mainly, I was ready for a change in myself. I needed to get a little extra boost of excitement and re-energize myself as a classroom teacher. I have gotten comfortable and I need to change things up a bit. Next year will be my 7th year teaching. I think there's really some truth to that whole 7-year itch thing. Yeah, I know that has to do with marriage, but my job is a relationship for me, so it applies. In teaching, change is not always easy to come by. It's easy to fall into a rut. Opportunities like this are rare. I felt that I had to jump on it.

I'm glad there will be some familiarity there with already having a relationship with my principal and having a small group of my current colleagues join me. But there are still some unknowns. Like my grade level assignment (it will either be K or 1st) and who my teaching teammates will be. 

So, that's my news. I'll still be teaching, but just in a new location. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to help begin a brand new school and new traditions. Exciting, busy, and emotional times are still ahead.

Now, I need a little help from my teacher friends. I have to make a "wish list" of items that I would like to have to outfit my new classroom. I'm having a hard time narrowing it down for what I truly need to teach next year. We're getting the basics like built-in cubbies, a teacher desk, filing cabinets, portable storage cabinet, kidney table, rug, ActivBoard.
I can't take ANYTHING with me from my current school that has been purchased with school board money. Not even staples. This has been made VERY clear in the past couple days. Like, I'm kind of thinking they're going to come inventory our rooms when we pack up to leave.

So.

A lot of the crap in my classroom is mine because I've spent my own money on many things, like all of you do, but a lot of good things will have to stay behind. Like all of my beautiful, expensive Lakeshore games. Sad.

My question is this: what would you put on your classroom wish list?

Please share.

And while we're at it, what about classroom theme? I've done a jungle/monkey thing for several years. It's not over-the-top junglicious, and I still like it, but I'm thinking I may want something different. Why not, right?
This is going to sound dumb, but I've thought about a Sweet Shop/candy theme. Is that dumb? Be honest. I can take it. In my mind it's beautiful. The classroom decor would probably contribute to diabetes and obesity, but it would be inviting for all. Who doesn't like candy?
In my mind I see felt banners, bright colors, an awning, stripes and polka dots. My inspiration came from this tri-fold that my Mom bought me to use for my Sweet Shop fund-raiser that I do each year at school:

Aw. Sweet.

Any other ideas on fun themes? I'm open.

Thanks in advance!