Students Speak About Learning Environment
Students have shared that they learn best in comfortable and calm classroom environments. These environments can be fun and also foster genuine learning and respectful peer and teacher relationships.
“I believe, then, that an outlet for student voice and supportive teachers to guide that outlet are necessary in promoting a better, safer environment within schools. These outlets will empower students and instill a stronger sense of community within schools that will bring students even closer together.” — Sean
Adam: Teachers should pay more attention to how students are treating each other
“In order to create a more respectful environment, teachers should pay more attention to how students are treating each other instead of brushing it off or looking away.” — Adam
Valancia: Every time you go to class you have to put your feelings aside
“Every time you go to class you have to put your feelings aside. And it’s especially difficult for teens when their stress piles up, and they feel like they’re going to burst.” — Valancia
Amayra: Everyone’s Quiet
“When I’m in these classrooms, six hours a day, everyone’s quiet. All I can hear is the scribbles of the pencils or the tapping of the keyboards. And that’s it. It’s silent. There’s no music. There’s no laughter. It’s just so dead. And it’s like that for 180 days out of the year.” — Amayra
Jaydah: In classes where my teachers recognize the good work that I do
“In classes where my teachers recognize the good work that I do, I feel very confident in continuing to do that good work. I feel comfortable taking risks and asking questions, which helps me to learn. I feel safer in the classroom and like there is a community.” — Jaydah
Trish: The class feels like a community
“The class feels like a community because students are comfortable and have a chance to communicate with each other.” — Trish