Classroom setup is officially here, and in part 1 of my 2025 setup series I’m focusing on the very beginning stages: cleaning, moving in, and getting my new third grade classroom in Florida ready to actually function. This is the not-so-glamorous part of setup, but it’s the part that makes everything else easier—clearing out what I don’t need, figuring out where things will live, and starting with a clean slate before I bring in all the “cute” stuff. In this video, I’m taking you along as I start settling into the space and laying the groundwork for the rest of the setup series. If you’re a teacher getting ready for back-to-school, my biggest takeaway is to give yourself permission to start slow: clean first, move in what you truly need, and build your classroom routines and flow before you worry about decor. And if you’re new here, I’m Katie—welcome to my week-in-my-life teacher vlog style, where it’s classroom life plus real life too.