Right now, you’re likely staring at a mountain of marking and a classroom that looks like a whirlwind hit it. I’m nodding right along with you if the last thing you want to think about is next school year’s back-to-school setup, but every minute you spend prepping in the air-conditioning this May is an hour of summer you don't have to spend at your kitchen table cutting classroom decor in July.

After moving classrooms 9 years in a row, I stopped waiting for August, and started using the end of the school year chaos to get ahead. It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter so you can actually shut your brain off in July.

Shop the Sales for Your Classroom Themes (and Save Your Budget!)

If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your classroom or finally committing to a classroom theme, now is the time.

Every year, around Teacher Appreciation Week, it’s the perfect time to refresh your classroom without overspending. Instead of panic-buying at full price in August, you can take advantage of seasonal sales and grab your dream theme or printable decor bundles offers directly in my store.

I’ve put together a huge variety of classroom decor themes in my store to help you find the exact look that fits your style for next year.

And here’s something many teachers forget: The “Use It or Lose It” Credit

Check your school printing account before you head out for the summer. Most schools reset these credits at the end of the year, so if you don’t use them, they simply reset to zero. It’s a much better use of school resources to get your high-ink items printed now while you have the budget available.

Focus on printing classroom essentials like:

• Alphabet posters

• Number Posters or Number Lines

• Bulletin Board kits

It’s one less expense to worry about in August.

➜ Ready to get ahead? Shop the classroom decor bundles and resources here and use those printing credits while you've got them!

Prep Your Classroom Decor Essentials (No Class List? No Problem!)

The most common reason teachers wait until August? “I don’t have my class list yet.” But here’s the truth—you don’t need it. There is a massive amount of decor that stays the same regardless of who walks through your door.

 

 

 

If you want to get the "bones" of your room sorted without the overwhelm, I recommend focusing on what I call the "Evergreens." These are the foundational pieces you can print, cut, and prep right now, without knowing a single student's name, because they stay the same no matter your roster.

These are the decor you can confidently prep right now:

• Alphabet posters

• Number posters and number lines

• Days at school display

• Calendar pieces

• Subject headers

If you have some extra energy (and ink!), you can get even further ahead by prepping your classroom management and organization tools. 

These are the things that usually cause that first week panic!

• Classroom Labels & Organization: Prep your bins, drawers, and subject area labels so every supply has a home before the kids arrive.

• Routine & Procedure Visuals: Print your transition cues, "What do I do now?" early finisher charts, visual timetable, classroom rules, and expectation posters.

• Management Tools: Get your behavior charts, classroom rules, and reward systems ready to hang.

 ➜ Check out my 8 effective classroom management strategies guide. I’ve narrowed it down to battle-tested tips that actually work. These are the "secret sauce" to a calm, focused classroom from day one.

• The "First Week" Kit: Prep your icebreakers, morning slides, and bulletin board bases (like your Welcome board or Daily Schedule).

Get everything printed and cut now. Instead of spending your first week back fighting for office supplies, you’ll be walking in with your classroom setup ready to go, leaving you more time to actually meet your new students.

Recruit Your "End-of-Year Classroom Crew”

The last few weeks of school are notoriously… chaotic. Students are checked out, routines are loose, and everyone is just trying to make it to summer.

So use that energy! Turn your students into helpers. Better yet, if you can, enlist some 5th or 6th-graders. They LOVE helping in younger classrooms. 

Give them the simple, time-consuming teacher tasks like:

• Cutting out printable classroom decor

• Sorting bins and materials

• Organizing classroom supplies

• Prepping bulletin board elements

It keeps them engaged during those restless final days and takes hours of "admin" off your plate. And when you think about all the cutting you’d normally be doing at home during your break… this step alone is a game-changer.

Moving Classrooms? Start Your Back to School Set Up in Small Pieces

If you’re switching classrooms this year, I see you.

I moved classrooms 9 years in a row, and I’ve learned the hard way that there is no magic shortcut. But there is a way to avoid the "August Meltdown."

Don’t wait for the official move day in the summer heat. Start your micro-move now to keep the chaos manageable. Here’s how:

• Talk to the admin about early access. Most admins would much rather you move slowly in May than have a mountain of boxes blocking the halls in August.

• Coordinate with the teacher currently in the room. They might be leaving behind a shelf or rug you love—don't move it twice if you don't have to!

• Bring items over in small batches. 

• Use 20 minutes after school or your breaks

Think of it as a “phased setup” instead of one overwhelming, back-breaking move. Little by little, it gets done, and your future self will be so grateful.

Why is prepping the classroom before the school year ends the best way? 

I know what you're thinking. Every school runs a little differently. Some require everything to be packed up for cleaning. Others don’t release class lists until the last minute. But no matter where you teach, one thing is always true:

August is never as calm as we hope it will be.

It’s filled with staff meetings, professional development, last-minute changes, and limited access to shared resources. If you leave your classroom setup until then, you’re not just working—you’re competing for time, space, and energy. Every hour you spend prepping now is time you’re giving back to yourself later.

Instead of spending your summer:

• Cutting at your kitchen table

• Running back to school to print

• Stressing about setup

You’ll be:

• Relaxing

• Recharging

• Actually enjoying your break

And before you pack or set anything up, check in with your school team. Custodians especially often know what needs to be cleared and what can stay—this one quick step can save you from redoing work later.

And when you walk into your classroom in August? No chaos. No panic. Just a space that’s ready for you and your students.

Reflect on Your Classroom Setup Before You Pack

Before you start packing everything away, take a few minutes to reflect on your current setup.

Taking photos and reviewing your space now gives you valuable insight while everything is still fresh. Ask yourself:

• What worked really well?

• Where did traffic pile up?

• What areas felt cluttered or unused?

Use these insights to plan your next layout now, while it’s still fresh in your mind. This is your chance to design your dream classroom with intention, not just recreate what you had before.

Reclaim Your Summer (And Your Sanity)

If you’re ready to reclaim your summer, this is your sign to start now. Even a few small steps before the school year ends can completely change how August feels.

Think of this as the perfect window to refresh your classroom theme while the sales are active. Getting that decor prepped and cut now means you can dodge the printing panic later. I promise you won't regret spending a few hours in May getting organized!

Whether you are moving rooms (like I did for 9 years!), or lucky enough to be staying in the same room this year, the goal is the same: reclaim your summer. By the time August rolls around, you’ll be the one walking into a space that is already halfway there, ready to focus on teaching and meeting your new students!

Are you a "Prep in June" teacher or a "Panic in August" teacher? Let this be your sign to get ahead of the back-to-school rush. Grab your favorite classroom themes now. Your August self is already cheering you on! 🥂

Elevate your space! Shop stylish classroom decor: