When I walk into a new school building, I always do a vibe check. Those first few moments can tell you a lot about the climate and culture, the values, and attitudes in the school. While sometimes it is just poor architectural design, such as entering the building in the midst of the student commons and lockers, and feeling lost immediately. Other times, it’s the way you are greeted immediately by a helpful being with a cheery demeanor who can quickly assess what you need and get you there. I think the best vibes combine both architectural elements and positive human interactions.
When I read “What Is Your Building Communicating to Students?” by Nick Brousse and Catherine Beachboard, I am reminded of how much a space shapes our mood, our sense of well-being, and what it can teach us about who belongs there. Schools should not only be accessible for all, but aesthetic places that elevate our minds to possibility. They should feel welcoming, like the second home they are, and be equipped with the spaces and materials needed for all students to thrive in the 21st century.
I was also reminded of a book I read a 12 years ago now, The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching & Learning. It shares ways that learning spaces mold one’s relationship to education. “Whether this year’s kindergarten student will merely survive or positively thrive in the decades to come depends in large measure on the experiences she has in school. Those experiences will be shaped by adults, by peers, and ultimately by places, by the physical environment where she does her learning. United in the conviction that environment is our children’s third teacher, we can begin anew a vital mission: designing today’s schools for tomorrow’s world.”
It is also no accident classroom design is foundational to managing behavior. How we create our classroom spaces impacts how students (and adults) feel, how they interact with others, how easily they can access what they need to learn, and more. There is a lot of research out there on the impact of classroom design on achievement as well. This is why it is a section of my Inclusive Practices Checklist.
So as you start the school year, conduct a belonging walk as Brousse and Beachboard suggest and observe classrooms with the Inclusive Practice Checklist,. If there are areas that come up lacking, make changes. And if you need help, I’m here for it.