Melanie S. Unger - Organized Teacher, Happy Classroom: A Lesson Plan for Managing Your Time, Space and Materials

Melanie Unger has been a classroom teacher for more than seventeen years and strives daily to instill organizing principles within her personal and professional life and in her students lives. She started a professional organizing business in 2008, following her dream of supporting others in discovering meaningful and sustainable organizing solutions in order to become more productive and lead happier, more inspired lives. Melanie has both a bachelors and a masters degree in Education. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and Faithful Organizers. She teaches fifth grade in Dublin, Ohio. She and her husband enjoy playing with (and spoiling) their adorable black lab, Shelby.

Visit her website: www.organizedinspirations.com.

Dedication

To my grandparents, Floyd and Opal, who inspired me to always appreciate life, to walk wisely, and to surround myself with the qualities of hard work, education, dedication, love, and humility. Their example of love, care, and devotion is one I try to emulate on a daily basis. They are present in my life in so many ways each day.

To my Dad, who I miss each day, but treasure in my heart always.

Acknowledgments

Writing a book has been a dream of mine for more than twenty years. Many people have been major players in helping this dream come to fruition.

I first and foremost want to thank my husband, Doyle, who stood by me through the process, always encouraging me and exhibiting such patience while I spent many, many hours writing this book. He is a wonderful supporter and an amazing, caring husband! Im truly blessed to have him in my life.

Thanks to my mother, Marilyn, who is a remarkable, positive role model in so many ways. She dares to dream with me in whatever I choose to do, all the while sharing her thoughts, suggestions, and unwavering support and wisdom along the way. She is truly the wind beneath my wings.

I want to thank my sisters, Amy and Megan, for their unwavering support and love. I am richly blessed because of their presence in my life, and Im so proud to call them my sisters. Thanks also to their husbands, Dennis and Denny, and to my beautiful niece, Audrey.

Thanks to my extended family, as well as my in-laws, David, Euniece, Darlene, Larry, Janell, and Amanda, for all of your support and love.

I would be remiss if I didnt thank my principal and colleagues at school for their support. I am so thankful to work with such hardworking, caring professionals. Thanks to my fifth-grade team and hallway buddies for being enthusiastic supporters. A special thanks to Sharon, Cindy S., and Judi for their organizing ideas, contributions, and encouragement.

Thanks to all of the wonderful friends in my life. Thanks to Derek for providing a positive word just when I needed to finish a chapter or push forward to meet a deadline. You are a dear friend. Thanks to Gloria for her encouragement and friendship. Thanks to Bruce for his listening ear and encouragement about this book project. Stevo and Chika, your positive words mean so much. Thanks for encouraging me in this journey.

Thanks to all of the students Ive had the pleasure of teaching in the past seventeen-plus years (and thanks to their parents, too). Their enthusiasm for learning and growing makes teaching worthwhile. Theyve helped me learn so much, especially about how to become a more organized teacher!

Thank you to Jackie, my editor at Betterway Home Books, who from the start supported me and helped answer any questions I had along the way. Thanks for your thoughtful editing suggestions and for choosing me to represent this book concept.

Thanks to Jim Moats and Jackie Hagar for their advice and professionalism. I truly enjoyed working with you during this book project.

Finally, I thank God for providing me the ability to write, and for the desire to share a little of myself through two of my great passionsorganizing and teachingthrough this book. It is through faith in Him that I could complete this project.