Schedules Shifted, Rooms Moved, But I'm Still Standing (and So are My Systems)

Schedules Shifted, Rooms Moved,
But I’m Still Standing (and So Are My Systems)

If back-to-school has you feeling like you're constantly two steps behind, just know...same here!

This year brought a whirlwind of changes. I moved rooms (in two different buildings!), completely changed up my schedule, and stepped into an extended new role that’s stretching me in the best and hardest ways. It’s been a lot. But here’s the good news-I’m still standing… and so are my systems.

The Year Started with a Shuffle

This year, I traded my stand-alone RTI classes and small IG groups for something a little different. Now, my RTI classes have become multi-grade level Extension blocks and my IG pull-out groups have doubled. I also officially became a Tier 1 Enrichment RTI partner co-teaching, co-planning, and previewing lessons with Gen Ed teachers every single week. I've done a version of this in the past within my school, but it's expanded.

The logistics? Let’s just say my brain has been working overtime. My schedule is drastically different, and I’m still learning to live with overlapping time blocks, constant movement, and the kind of flexibility you can’t plan for. It’s exciting… and a little dizzying.

Why Systems Matter More Than Ever

In all this change, I’ve leaned hard on the systems I’ve built. And wow, have they saved me!

• Slide templates keep routines visible and smooth for my groups

• Phone alarms are my personal assistant (no shame)

• Checklists and templates make sure nothing falls through the cracks

• And the biggest shift? Universal Themes are now anchoring everything I teach across grades and buildings. It’s helping me keep lessons aligned, flexible, and meaningful even when I feel like I’m teaching in a blender.

These tools didn’t erase the chaos, but they’ve contained it. And that’s a win.

The Little Wins That Are Making a Big Impact

Even in the mess, there’ve been these glimmers that remind me why I love this work:

• Students from different grade levels interacting meaningfully in Extension time

• Gen Ed teachers thanking me for co-planning sessions that actually help

• The alignment we’re seeing in Tier 1 Extension when our lessons truly connect

• A meaningful shift in Tier 1 culture and planning

Those moments? They make the heavy lifting worth it.

Still a Work in Progress

But, in full transparency, I still haven’t fully memorized my schedule. And that “I’m forgetting something” feeling? It’s hanging around. But I’m choosing progress over perfection. Every day I get a little more comfortable, a little more confident, and a lot more aware that the systems I built are working for me, not against me.

You Don’t Have to Have It All Together (No one really does all the time)

If your fall feels like controlled chaos, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re doing the real work of gifted education in a small district.

It’s messy. It’s meaningful. But, it's manageable when you have systems, support, and collaborative thought partners that hold you up.

Want a peek at how I’m using Universal Themes to make planning easier?
Check out my Custom Gifted Curriculum Overview Planner. You can use it to create your GATE plan for an entire year. It's coded to focus on incorporating Universal Theme in the overall annual plan.

Drop a comment in the GES Facebook Group, or check out this Universal Theme Cheat Sheet

Want Early Finisher Ideas for your Gen Ed Colleagues? You can find them HERE

Let’s share what’s working and help each other keep standing.