Imagine this: you’re in a new year. You find your new class that you’ll spend plenty of time learning and working. You take your first step into the classroom, but your first sight is the decorations. Some have a little, and some have a lot, but all have an impact on students. With this in mind, decor choice is an important thought in the minds of many North Atlanta teachers.
Sometimes minimalism is the way to go. Michael Madden, doesn’t have much decor, given that he’s a floater, working in other teachers’ classrooms. However, Madden still wants students to have pride in their work, and have an idea of who he is as a teacher. Niklas Vollmer’s room includes the IB standards, positive keywords, posters for upcoming events, and funny drawings. However, most of his room has been taken over by his students’ work, following a seemingly popular trend of teachers putting up student work. “The core textbook for my class is their work,” Vollmer said.
For other teachers though, the textbook is their classroom. World history teacher Michael Robinson’s room is filled with ancient world geography and history skills posters, small statues from his students, and a carpet from Dubai. Journalism teacher, John Stenger, posts colorful student work from their many class competitions that spill out into the 4th and 5th floors. His room is plastered with newspaper and yearbook culture along with the boys’ soccer team as their longtime coach. In another floor history teacher, Caitlin Tripp’s classroom, students can sit on her couch, or under her lamps, grab a fidget toy or stuffed animal, and look at the arrangement of colorful art, posters, and figurines of history. Though the thought of moving all of her decorations gives her nightmares, she wants a fun learning environment that’s enjoyable for both the teacher and student. “The most important message that you can give them is that they know you can be there,” Tripp said.
Some teachers prefer a mixed approach while still putting in their personal touch. English teacher Kendra Radcliff’s room sports bookshelves, plants, personal pictures, colorful art, a bench and national poetry posters that speak to her subject’s content for her students. English teacher Erica Hiers also keeps a bookshelf, along with specific vocabulary and IB information, Chinese tapestry, an old dining table and teacher’s desk, and student work are seen right when stepping in, creating a warm and inviting environment. Physics teacher Gregory Baeza has a slightly different approach. His room is full of art magazines and catalogs along with the typical science decor, as it is representative of who he is and his focus on his students as people instead of just his physics students. “How a teacher decorates communicates how much they want students to interact,” Baeza said.
There are many ways to style a classroom, but its ultimate impact is on the students. The approach, framing, and items present gives every classroom a different vibe. However, it is all dependent on the teacher who completes the whole experience. Your first step is into the classrooms, your first sight is the decorations, but the first thing you hear is your teacher that’s surrounded by their decor that shows what you’re in for.
