I broke up with my desk.
I removed it from my classroom
without a single thought about it. It served no purpose and I had no emotional
attachment to it. So, breaking up was not very difficult. I almost feel heartless with
the lack of emotion I have about getting rid of it. Who just tosses a desk to
the curb as if it has no purpose? To make matters worse, I replaced it with a
media cart and a metal organization shelf. I sometimes imagine my desk peering into my
classroom and becoming downtrodden over seeing me with my media cart in such
educational and organization bliss.
However, to be honest, my desk stressed me out.
I stared at
it and was overwhelmed by the stacks of papers and random items that students
gave me. I once opened the middle drawer
and found a back scratcher that was in the shape of a small hand and tiny pink
toothbrush. Why were these items in my desk? At some point, they were handed to
me as keepsakes and I tossed them into the abyss without regard to them. My
desk had become a black hole. We lost respect for each other.
When I made the decision to say goodbye, I had no
instructional strategy or advice from an educational expert to guide me. I
didn’t even have a hallway conversation at the tardy bell with a co-worker. I
simply walked into my classroom and I could not stand the sight of it.
My desk
mocked me with its mountains of paperwork that I intended to file and the piles
of lesson plans that I planned to develop. I often hoped that if I dug around, I
would find a secret map that would lead me to a hidden treasure. But, in
reality, all I found was a toothbrush and a small metal hand.
I’m mature enough to admit that my desk was probably relieved that I made he first move in the breakup. After all, I forced it to hold a random toothbrush and back scratcher. Who knows what else I would do it in the future?
Truth is, I rarely sit down in my day. I teach Advertising &
Design and Yearbook. My students are active and I like to walk around and view their progress. On the occasion that I am siting, it is either at my classroom computer next to my students or a tall stool that I
can easily move around the room with my media cart.
Ah, that media cart. I’m not one to boast about
relationships, but I will admit that I’m rather smitten with my media cart. It
offers everything I need. My laptop fits perfectly on the top and I have room
for a few papers. My media cart knows that if it offered me a lot
of space, I would, no doubt, take advantage of all the space and overwhelm it
with papers. My media cart moves with me. It is there for me. It simply gets me.
If you are thinking about breaking up with your desk, think
about these things:
WORKING SPACE
You still need a working space in your classroom that is
just for you. I have two spaces. My media cart is for my laptop and daily
walkabouts. I also have a classroom computer that is placed with my students. Even
when I’m sitting and working on projects, I’m next to them. Bless their hearts, they can't get away from me. So, make your space
work for you, but don’t distance yourself from your students.
I’M NOT READY TO
BREAKUP
If you can’t get rid of your desk, think about placement. If
your desk is at the front of your classroom, then consider moving it so that it
is part of the student’s environment, not a barrier against it. Also, while you
still have your desk, write down the main storage you will need if you get rid
of your desk. One by one, create space in your classroom for those items. Do not tip off your desk about the impending breakup. Play it cool. Clean out the drawers one at a time. You
can slowly work your way into the breakup, instead of throwing everything on
the floor and giving your desk the boot.
WALKABOUTS
If you sit down a lot, ask yourself if it is for you or your students. I mean it. This is a tough one. Teaching is tiresome. However, doing walkabouts often in your classroom keep your students engaged in the activity. If you sit a lot, what message are you delivering to your students? If you can sit among them, try it. Keep in mind, you may freak out your students at first. However, I promise you that the more you are engaged with your students, the less you will need your desk.
If you sit down a lot, ask yourself if it is for you or your students. I mean it. This is a tough one. Teaching is tiresome. However, doing walkabouts often in your classroom keep your students engaged in the activity. If you sit a lot, what message are you delivering to your students? If you can sit among them, try it. Keep in mind, you may freak out your students at first. However, I promise you that the more you are engaged with your students, the less you will need your desk.
Theresa Shadrix is an IDEO Teachers Guild fellow. She encourages you to Defront your classroom and set it up for student-centered learning.
- Move the teacher’s desk to the side (or remove it altogether)
- Ask students to help design different class configurations for different purposes, and create “reset” options
