Sitting in a classroom with beaming fluorescent lighting with dull color isn’t the greatest learning environment when it comes to tired teenagers. Some teachers at Pleasant Valley have taken notice and have brightened up their classrooms in hopes to make a more effective and inviting work environment.
With the holiday season around, many teachers have hung up christmas lights around various spots around their classrooms to create a cozy atmosphere. Being comfortable, especially with rigorous semester finals approaching, is something that students at Pleasant Valley appreciate.
Something as simple as dimming the lighting in the rooms gives students’ eyes a break from their exposure to harsh lighting throughout the school. Whether a student is listening to a lecture or doing hands-on activities in labs, it’s easier to feel motivated when in a more conducive environment.
Ann Berger, a psychology teacher at Pleasant Valley, is known to have a decked out classroom that students gravitate to. “I think it’s important to have a good work environment not only for me but also for my students. I want to be comfortable when I work and I think that the classroom should be a place that inspires learning. Something as simple as making the room feel homey can make kids feel comfortable when working,” said Berger.
When one walks through and gazes at the classrooms at Pleasant Valley, they may see salt lamps, pictures of teachers’ families or pets, and, even in some rooms, pillows. Simple additions such as these create a positive setting where students can feel comfortable while learning.
Students definitely take notice to the various decorating tactics that teachers use. Cecilie Schiefer, a senior at Pleasant Valley, commented, “I love that we can go to class and it almost feels like we are at home. In some rooms, it even smells like a coffee shop. I’m more motivated to work and be engaged in class when I feel comfortable.”
With the cold winter in the midst, having a cozy place to learn is just what the students at Pleasant Valley need and it is greatly appreciated by many.
