“Awesome.”

That’s how nearly every student described it as they looked around their newly-renovated classroom Monday morning.

Splashes of red, yellow, green, blue and more replaced the drab gray wall.

The desks are no longer barren; instead, dry erasable, colorful dots are on every desk for students to use.

The reading station got a facelift, and positive messages brighten the room.

In short, Sibbie Blevins’ first grade classroom at Strode Station Elementary School looks completely different, and it’s all thanks to Designing Classrooms.

Designing Classrooms is a nonprofit formed by retired educators Karen Haskins and Patricia Sturgill Hughes.

Haskins, president and cofounder, said they formed the nonprofit this summer out of a need for teachers to obtain resources to fully organize their classroom to create a positive learning climate on a limited budget. The goal of Designing Classrooms is to make this possible for teachers and students.

“Our goal is to provide resources and organization, anything teachers need, one classroom at a time,” Haskins said.

“Making a difference one classroom at a time,” Hughes, cofounder and chief executive officer, added.

Blevins was the lucky teacher to be chosen for Designing Classrooms’ first classroom makeover. And it came just in time for Christmas.

“We’re going to make it a very inviting classroom for kids to come into it and get excited about being in because they spend the majority of their time in school in the classroom anyway,” Haskins said about Blevins’ makeover.

While soaking it all in Monday morning, Blevins smiled and shared her excitement with her students.

“I love it,” Blevins said. “… I love the colors… Everything’s going to be easy and accessible.”

Blevins was also shocked it was all done in three days.

“I don’t want to go back home,” she said. “I want to stay here.”

Teachers send in applications on a rolling basis and a selection committee makes the decision on who receives a makeover. The selection committee includes retired Carter County superintendent Darlene Gee, Morehead State University Craft Academy Director Carol Christian, retired principal Ruth Ely and retired principal Jill Howard.

Blevins’ application stuck out, Hughes said, because she was a teacher for 23 years that was always helping others.

Haskins said the nonprofit is planning another makeover in the spring and about 10 in the summer. Haskins said Designing Classrooms will serve the entire Commonwealth.

For teachers who want to send in an application or for people who want to donate to the cause, visit designingclassrooms.com.

Blevins’ new classroom also features new or improved reading, writing, math and listening centers.

“We wanted to be colorful,” Haskins said.

The nonprofit also used several teacher-created materials in its makeover. Artist Stefani Moran, who also attended Strode Station Elementary School years ago, painted the watercolor scheme on the wall.

The makeover team worked long hours throughout the weekend, staying until midnight nearly every night. Haskins said she wanted like to thank the sponsors — Merit Furniture & Design, Community Trust Bank, Central Bank, retired teacher Tessa Zanke, Winchester Steak ‘n Shake franchisee Ryan Dotson, Rod Hatfield Chevrolet and Stephen D. Prater Builders — for helping to make this makeover happen.

Lexington Children’s Theatre also gave Blevins’ classroom tickets to one of its spring shows.

Blevins said she applied for the makeover for her students, and she knows the makeover will make a positive difference in their learning; she’s especially excited about all the new centers.

The students matched Blevins’ excitement, “oohing” and “aahing” over the colors and the new stuffed animals before unwrapping the candy the nonprofit had put on every student’s desk.

During the reveal, Haskins asked students about their favorite things from the makeover, and one student’s answer reminded her why Designing Classrooms does what it does.

“What’s your favorite part?” Haskins asked the student.

“Mrs. Blevins.”