- September 16, 2025
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Fourth grade English language arts teacher Christine Harrington and fourth grade math and science teacher Riley Hamilton plan the display they will create on their bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyRiley Hamilton staples a sheet to the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyRiley Hamilton staples a border onto the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristine Harrington staples a border onto the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristine Harrington and Riley Hamilton cut fabric as they prepare to attach it to the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristine Harrington cuts fabric as she attaches it to a section of the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyRiley Hamilton adds a border to the display she is creating on the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristine Harrington and Riley Hamilton plan the display they are creating for the bulletin board.
Photo by Ian SwabyRiley Hamilton and Christine Harrington plan the display on their board that will welcome students back to the classroom.
Photo by Ian SwabyCasey Sullivan, a third grade English language arts and social studies teacher, stands inside the classroom she decorated.
Photo by Ian SwabyCasey Sullivan, a third grade English language arts and social studies teacher, decorated her room with soft pastel colors.
Photo by Ian SwabyFourth English language arts and social studies teacher John Freeman received this statue of Yoda from his father. It's just one of the many "Star Wars" decorations in his classroom.
Photo by Ian SwabyJohn Freeman adds decorations to his classroom, which emphasizes "Star Wars" items. "Some kids will give me stuff, and then next year they'll come by and see if I have it out, because to them it's a big deal," he said.
Photo by Ian SwabyJohn Freeman decorated his room with a "Star Wars" theme, which included this Darth Vader helmet.
Photo by Ian SwabyJohn Freeman decorated his room with a "Star Wars" theme.
Photo by Ian SwabyMichelle Revas, a fourth grade teacher for all subjects, cuts a printout into separate labels for folders.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth grade English language arts teacher Ashlee Middleton prepares folders for students. It's her first time teaching on the second floor.
Photo by Ian SwabyAshlee Middleton places a label on a bookshelf.
Photo by Ian SwabyAshlee Middleton said she wanted her classroom to feel like home, with a "calming, boho" theme. "I like to have the natural sunlight, for things to feel bright and cheery," she said.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth grade math teacher James Harting, a Georgia Bulldogs fan, displays gifts from his family relating to the team, including custom-made bobbleheads of himself.
Photo by Ian SwabyMemorabilia including bobbleheads of Tampa Bay Rays players sits on a shelf in the classroom of fith grade math teacher James Harting.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth grade English language arts teacher Ashlee Middleton is preparing to host a display showcasing her students' great work.
Photo by Ian SwabyFourth grade English language arts teacher Christine Harrington and fourth grade math and science teacher Riley Hamilton stand beside their completed display, which will feature photos of the students.
Photo by Ian SwabyThere's plenty that has to be done to prepare for the start of school, and some of that comes down to the specific color of an item in the classroom.
Fourth grade English language arts teacher Christine Harrington isn't satisfied with the red baskets holding books on the bookshelf and says she will be stopping by the store to find white baskets.
"I want to keep it visually a very calm, clean environment, so that the brain isn't busy. I don't want anything that's distracting," said Harrington.
Harrington returned to school last week, before her contracted hours, along with fourth-grade math and science teacher Riley Hamilton, with whom she will teach in partnership.
Replacing the baskets was just one example of the tasks involved as teachers prepare for the start of school, which Harrington says also involves moving desks and other items into place after deep cleaning, arranging files, and other work.
It was also just one way in which teachers are individualizing their rooms; for instance, fourth grade English language arts and social studies teacher John Freeman decorates his room with a "Star Wars" theme each year.
"You get excited because the kids get excited," he said of the process.
