Keep Your Classroom Comfortable for Maximum Engagement

Let’s talk about the physical environment we present to our learners. No matter what the day’s content is, it’s important that learners of all styles and comfort levels feel welcomed and supported when they enter our space. It falls on us, the facilitators, to get this part right. This is how I physically set up my space so that learning can happen.

• Before class, doors are opened wide to be as welcoming as possible. Students are part of my classroom, which is exactly where they belong. They shouldn’t have to think about whether they are allowed to enter or awkwardly push into a space that doesn’t feel welcoming.
• Desks are uncluttered, dusted, and disinfected.
• I place an empty garbage can by each door and the front of the room.
• I set a table up by the door with all handouts for the day, sensory fidgets, notepads and pens, and artificial flowers for ambiance.
• The whiteboard is cleaned and (mostly) smudge-free, and all markers are capped and working.
• Each workspace has a forward-facing chair, evenly spaced from each ohter.
• When class begins, I close all doors but put a sign outside that reads “Learning in Progress. Please come in, but do so quietly…” I always tell students what they can do, not what they can’t.

Sensory Considerations

• Room temperature is set correctly and comfortably for the season.
• Lighting is consistent, calming, and not flickering or buzzing.
• Cables, chair legs, and any other trip hazards are eliminated.
• I make fidgets available as needed, no pressure.

Teaching is so much more than delivering content. Comfortable students learn better and are more likely to trust an educator who cares about their entire learning experience, not just the content.