The beginning of the school year brings in new supplies for teachers and students. Yet, who would’ve thought new desks would be included in that new lineup? Rolling wheels connecting to a trapezoid shape with a sleek finish (that can be used as mini whiteboards) house a few classrooms across the school. The sight of the new style brings in unclear emotions. Will it change students’ learning styles or how teachers go about their classes?
Ms. Haag’s class is one of the select few chosen for the new desks and sophomore Bray Hill has been somewhat positive about them. Since Hill only has one class with the new tables, he doesn’t miss the old ones. He likes the new amount of groups and how they’re set up despite the lack of connection between the chairs and desks, permitting students to invade his personal space. However, he looks forward to an indefinite future with the latest desks. “Even though it gets a little crowded and cramped they haven’t resulted in a difference in my academic production,” he said.
From a teacher’s perspective, Spanish teacher Angela Johnson has been ambivalent towards them because she had no desire for them to grace her classroom. When she received an email about the incoming furniture, Johnson’s only option was to oblige. This school year she bought a class set of clipboards and planned to put them in the baskets of the old desks. Now, this plan has been thwarted considering the new ones lack underneath space. She believes they work best in group activities but figuring out places to put students during tests or quizzes is a challenge. She is doing her best and won’t be discouraged. “They look very nice but for me, they are a bit bulky, the rooms are too small for those types of desks,” she said. “I used to have 34 desks now I have 32, thank God my biggest class is only 31 students”.
As a student in Angela Johnson’s class, sophomore Roddy Bird admires the new desks and the fact they move around. Like many, Bird doesn’t care for their strange shape. As a result of the new work surface being smooth, she sees an improvement in her handwriting and believes there’s a positive impact on her learning. Given the way Johnson sets the tables up, she enjoys the space she has next to her. The only downside is the desk legs minimize the free space to stretch out her limbs. “I just like touching the desks, I wouldn’t mind if they’re permanent,” she said.
New opportunities come with the new desks that could positively benefit the educators and scholars of North Atlanta. Though it’s clear there will be some adapting to the new work surfaces many are still questioning them and their permanency. They completely differ from what the students are used to but who says that change is bad?
