How I Make My Classroom a Place I Want to Be

I spend a lot of time in my classroom. So while I obviously want it to work well for my students, I also want it to be a space where I feel comfortable spending most of my day.

Over the years, I’ve brought in little things that have nothing to do with lesson planning or classroom management. They simply make the room—and my day—feel better.

I’m very affected by my surroundings. Light, music, scent, greenery, comfort... So my classroom has gradually become a space that appeals to pretty much all five senses.

1. Light: My Morning Light Therapy Routine

As the days get shorter in the fall, I bring my light therapy lamp to school.

I use it for about 30 minutes in the morning while I’m getting ready for my first class. I’m already sitting at my desk preparing for the day, so it fits easily into my routine without feeling like one more thing I have to make time for.

For me, it’s become an important part of taking care of my mental health during the darker months. I find that using it consistently in the morning helps my mood and energy during the day, and I even notice that I fall asleep more easily at night.

It has become such a regular part of my fall and winter mornings that I barely think about it anymore. Lamp on, music on, and I start getting ready for the day.

2. Sound: Music Before the Day Begins

One of the first things I do in the morning is turn on my whiteboard and put on music.

Sometimes it’s Spotify, sometimes YouTube. Usually it’s whatever I happen to be in the mood for that morning.

There’s something about having my favorite music playing while I organize myself for the day that makes the classroom feel less like a workplace and more like my space.

3. Sight: Plants. Lots of Plants.

I share my classroom with a colleague and we have at least a dozen small plants in our classroom.

Yes, a dozen. 🌿

I love having greenery around me. It makes the classroom feel warmer, calmer and more inviting—and honestly, I just like looking at them.

You don't need twelve. Apparently, we do.

4. Scent: The Classroom Has to Smell Good

I'm a big scent person, so this matters to me.

I keep room spray in my classroom and use it before class begins or between groups when the room needs a little refresh.

A quick spray and we're ready for the next group.

5. Taste: Tea & a Basket of Fruit

I start my morning with coffee, but some days one coffee simply isn't enough.

I keep green tea bags at school for those afternoons when I want something warm without another cup of coffee.

My colleague and I also keep a wicker basket filled with apples and other fruit for our students to help themselves to. I love having something fresh and welcoming sitting out in the classroom.

6. Comfort: The Things My Body Appreciates

I also keep a yoga mat in my classroom.

Sometimes during lunch or after classes, I'll take it out and stretch for a few minutes. It feels good after sitting or standing for hours.

I should probably mention that occasionally the stretching turns into a nap.

I'm not saying that's the purpose of the yoga mat.

I'm just saying it has happened.

It's the Little Things

None of these things is necessary for teaching.

I could absolutely teach without my plants, music, tea, footstool or room spray.

But I spend a huge part of my week in that classroom. I don't see anything wrong with making it a place where I feel good too.

For me, it's about the senses: something nice to see, hear, smell, taste and feel.

A classroom doesn't have to be Pinterest-perfect.

It just has to feel good to walk into.