How Flexible Furniture Helped Us Create a Learning Masterpiece

We put a lot of time and effort into creating a space that’s not only welcoming and inviting for our Pre-K to 4 students but also makes them want to learn and come to school every day. 

The end result is an educational masterpiece that other schools and districts can definitely borrow a page from in this constantly-evolving educational environment. 

It’s a space that really sings out what childhood should be about: learning with each other, creating teams, learning how to play, and using all of the educational tools at our avail. The kids don’t want to leave at the end of the day, even though we tell them it’s time to go. So, we’re very proud of this space. It’s definitely a diamond in this town.

Here are five steps we took to make that diamond shine: 

1. Put a vision in place. When our district welcomed a new superintendent a few years ago, he was set on incorporating cooperative learning into the entire district’s educational philosophy. We began planning our new elementary school building right around the same time with a focus on getting students to learn how to talk to each other, work together and solve problems collaboratively in a very engaging and welcoming setting.

2. Look at what others are doing. We visited a local school that had many of the features we were looking for and needed. As our group was touring that school, we realized that we really wanted to emulate the campus’ energetic, invigorating vibe. We tried to model much of our building off of theirs and it came out perfectly. 

3. Pick good partners. After evaluating several educational furniture providers, we selected and began working with MiEN, a provider focused on creating innovative and flexible learning environments. I made an instant connection with their team, which provided many options, talked us through price points and were upfront about which mobility pieces would fit with our budget.

4. Give teachers a voice and choice. The furniture was a critical piece of our new school’s complete vision. Outside of the teacher’s desk, for example, we wanted every single piece of furniture to be mobile—and sometimes multiple times throughout the day by just one or two people, max. We wanted furniture that would adapt to them, their teaching and their students. For example, some teachers have customized the mobile carts and made them their own; specific furniture pieces have been moved around; and teachers have asked for help using the furniture in new, unique ways.

5. Get everyone involved. Our school board gave us a lot of power and autonomy throughout the design and construction process for our new school. Teachers, staff and students all provided ideas in the process and their feedback was factored into the overall design. We learned from the kids about what would be really cool to have, and our teachers were there every step of the way. It was a real team project. In fact, as I view our space, I can tell you the exact conversation that prompted some of the specific features and changes.

Today, as I walk around our new campus, the STEM room and library are two of my favorite spaces. The STEM room is a real show stopper with its amazing windows and the library is a beautiful, comfortable space that our students just love. Throughout all of these well-loved spaces, the furniture truly is the star of the show. We had a building, but when the furniture arrived and was unpacked, every day was a new gift. We were just like, “wow, we can’t believe this is all ours.”