Summer break is just around the corner, and while you’re helping students finish their year-end projects and cram for that big test, don’t forget about your own upcoming project. You need to figure out what to do with all your classroom materials. We’re talking your classroom decorations, the supplies you purchased for your kids, supplementary books, and all the other goodies that make your classroom one-of-a-kind.
Most schools don’t allow teachers to store their personal items on campus during the break. If you don’t have space at home (or aren’t willing to sacrifice your garage again), consider summer storage. Before renting a storage unit, however, commit to decluttering your classroom. A classroom declutter will lower the amount you need to store and smooth the way to an easier return in the fall.
Why Consider Summer Storage for Teachers?
When that final school bell rings for the year, you deserve a well-earned break without classroom supplies taking over your home. Investing in storage for teachers is a great way to keep all your teaching materials safe while freeing up valuable space at home. Imagine it: no more tripping over that big bulletin board in the living room or explaining to guests why your dining room table is covered in laminated inspirational posters.
A dedicated storage unit will also help you stay organized by keeping all your classroom items in one place. They’ll all be easy to find when the new school year begins. A storage unit will also protect your valuable supplies from damage, pets, curious kids, or your partner accidentally throwing them out. (Those dry-erase markers still had a lot of life in them!)
Like many teachers across the country, you may have invested hundreds of dollars out of your own pocket to outfit your classroom for your students. Proper summer storage will help protect that investment until the next school year begins.
Step 1: Planning Your Classroom Declutter Project
Before you invest your hard-earned money in summer storage, do yourself a big favor and commit to a thorough classroom declutter. Think of it as giving yourself the gift of a fresh start when you return to school in the fall.
First, set realistic goals for your decluttering project. If you can’t do it all in one day, think about breaking the project into chunks. Dedicate your open period today to sorting through the filing cabinets. The next day, evaluate all your books. Next, organize your supplies. Remember, don’t let perfection get in the way of completing the task.
Now that you’ve got your decluttering goals in place, begin assessing your classroom inventory:
- Which teaching materials did you actually use this year?
- Which craft supplies are nearly empty or dried out?
- What decorations have become worn or outdated?
- Which books haven’t your students touched in years?
Be honest with yourself about anything that isn’t truly serving your teaching mission.
Step 2: The Art of Decluttering Your Classroom
Effective decluttering is about more than just throwing things away. It’s about making intentional decisions about what deserves space in your classroom next year.
The Four-Box Method
Start by clearly labeling four containers:
- Keep for Storage
- Keep at School
- Donate/Give Away
- Trash
As you handle each item in your classroom, make an immediate gut decision about which container it belongs in. And here’s a secret: you don’t even need containers. You can simply designate four areas of your classroom and group items into their designated area.
Handling Student Work
Deciding what to do with student work can be tricky for teachers. While it’s tempting to save every creative project, veteran teachers know this quickly becomes unmanageable. If certain student pieces or projects really resonate with you, consider photographing them before returning them to the students.
For the work you need to keep for assessment purposes, digitize the paperwork when possible and organize physical copies in clearly labeled folders.
What NOT to Store
Stay away from storing perishable items, anything with strong odors, or items that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Your famous bowl of candy will be a melted mess if you leave it in a storage unit over the summer. Likewise, glue and markers could dry out, and your personal speakers might not make it to the fall. Some storage facilities do offer climate-controlled units, but these can be hard to find and are usually more costly than traditional units.
Step 3: Packing Smart for Summer Storage
Ahhhh, doesn’t it feel good to fully declutter your classroom? But you’re not done yet. Now, it’s time to pack up everything you’re keeping for the next school year. Packing in a thoughtful and strategic way now will save you headaches when you set up your classroom in the fall.
Start by getting quality packing supplies:
- Sturdy boxes in various sizes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Markers for labeling
- Plastic bins with secure lids
While cardboard boxes will work well for most items, consider plastic bins for anything that might be susceptible to moisture or pests.
Label everything as clearly as possible. For example, a box labeled “3rd Grade Math Manipulatives” will be a lot more helpful to you in a few months than a box labeled “math stuff.” As you pack your boxes, create a simple inventory list so you can find everything you need when it’s time to unpack.
Finally, pack strategically. Keep similar items together and put the items you’ll need first in easily accessible boxes. Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap and consider using your classroom textbooks to separate breakable items. For posters and bulletin board materials, use inexpensive poster tubes to prevent creasing and damage.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Summer Storage Unit
With your classroom decluttered and all your items packed, you’ve just got one more step to go. It’s time to choose the right summer storage for teachers. The first thing you’ll want to do is determine the right sized storage unit to rent. Most teachers will find that a small 5×5’ or 5×10’ unit provides ample space for classroom materials. However, if you teach multiple subjects or have accumulated years of supplies, you might want to consider a medium 10×10’ unit.
Next, look for a storage facility that offers month-to-month leases, so you’ll only pay for the months when you actually need to store your supplies. The location of your chosen storage facility also matters. Choose a facility that’s conveniently located either near your home or your school in order to make both drop-off and pick-up easier.
Enjoy Your Summer Break with Peace of Mind
A well-executed classroom declutter and organized summer storage plan will make you feel like the king or queen of summer break.
At Price Self Storage®, we appreciate teachers and do our best to give them great summer storage options. First, we’ve got storage facilities throughout California, so there’s likely a Price Self Storage near you. Next, we offer a variety of unit sizes perfect for teachers. From small, 5×5’ lockers for minimal supplies to larger 10×10’ units for extensive collections, you won’t have any trouble finding the right sized unit.
And finally, our month-to-month storage leases give you the flexibility and cost savings you deserve. At Price Self Storage, you can always rent a unit over the summer months without any long-term commitments.
Give yourself a clutter-free summer and a stress-free fall setup by choosing Price Self Storage. Find a location near you.
