Back in January, Loma Verde Elementary School’s sixth-grade dual language immersion teacher Teresa Youssofi was one of 12 finalists in a national classroom furniture giveaway from furniture maker KI. Youssofi was one of the four winners, selected from hundreds of teachers who submitted designs for their dream classroom or library. She won out in a poll where more than 62,000 voters narrowed down the winners. Youssofi was awarded $40,000 worth of furniture to bring her dream to life.
Since Youssofi teaches at a Title I school where all her students come from low-income households, she wanted to support them with an updated space where she can more easily personalize their learning experiences. She designed a versatile classroom with different “zones” so her students can choose where to learn based on their communication or learning style. In her submission, Youssofi said her classroom meets her instructional needs because it offers plenty of flexibility for students to sit differently while engaging in learning.
“My students will have a more specialized learning experience,” she said. “I fell love the Ruckus collection, including the worktables, the stools, the chairs, the whiteboards, the totes storage, and the student desks. With these furniture pieces, and the booth lounge seating, students will get to experience a more flexible, collaborative, and interactive learning experience in sixth grade.”
Youssofi said when she announced to her students when her classroom design was chosen, that they were “thrilled with joy,” jumping, and clapping being so excited. She said she believed the learning experience for them that day was “perseverance.”
The classroom was transformed in April, and Youssofi said that the new environment has made a huge impact on the students, and their learning. She said she was surprised, as she let students choose their own seats, and fully expected them to go to the lounge-style furniture, but they went towards the desks, and tables. She said that the engineering table was a student favorite.
“For teachers, I will tell you to apply if you have a chance like this to change your classroom dynamics,” she said. “The worst thing is that you will not be chosen, but the best is that like me, you will be.”
