This is Jennifer Gonzalez welcoming you to episode 91 of the Cult of Pedagogy podcast.

In this episode, we're going to talk about 12 ways to upgrade your classroom design.

A couple of years ago, I saw a picture of a classroom on Facebook that stopped me in my tracks.

It was the room of Michigan High School English teacher Rebecca Momquist.

The room was filled with light coming through curtained windows.

In the foreground, a worn sofa and a collection of other low seats surrounded a coffee table.

All of them were anchored in place on a Persian style rug.

In the background, we're a few long tables within a sort of chairs.

Some are pulsed in vinyl.

Others covered in cloth seat covers.

Some are vintage metal.

The teacher's old wooden desk stood off to one side with a wall of books behind it.

Every corner was illuminated softly by lamp light.

It looked like a living room.

Like a place you'd go to curl up and read a book, take a nap, or have a really good conversation.

And yet, it was a classroom.

When I shared it on my website, the internet went nuts.

Nearly everyone went nuts in a good way, commenting on how beautiful and soothing the room was.

Asking questions about how Momquist found all the pieces for the room, how she got permission

to do certain things, how she structures seating choices to keep students from fighting over

where they sit, or to keep the classroom getting chaotic.

A few people saw the photo and were instantly discouraged.

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