Westside High School desks were removed from Spanish teacher Amanda Freitag’s classroom at the beginning of second semester, changing the way students sit, move and interact during class; this change has produced mixed results.
Freshman Mara Weisenburger feels that the new setup has helped her stay focused and engaged during lessons.
“I think not having a desk in Spanish has helped me just focus on my work without having any distractions,” Weisenburger said.
She mentions feeling more productive without her desk. Weisenburger also talks about her ability to memorize the work, she’s noticed since the removal of desks Freitag’s activities have been a positive resource for memorization.
“I think it has made it easier because we can do a lot more activities which help me memorize the content easier and faster,” Weisenburger said.
Other students, however, have struggled to adjust to the desk-free environment.
Freshman Ava McLaughlin said the absence of desks has made class feel overwhelming and less organized.
“Often I am putting my folder and papers on the ground, which I could put in my bag but she makes us line our bags up against the wall,” McLaughlin said. She expressed that moving around the room is harder and that desks have always been a part of her learning experience.
McLaughlin also said group work feels less connected and that using a clipboard instead of a desk makes it more difficult to focus and write comfortably.
Freitag explained that the decision was intentional and centered on building a stronger classroom environment for the students.
“I reflected on what I wanted my classroom to look like, not physically, but how I wanted people to see and feel when they came into my classroom,” Freitag said. “I decided that community, culture and accountability were my focus, and realized that desks actually would hinder that goal and environment.”
Since removing the desks, Freitag said she has noticed increased student engagement and communication.
“I see more direct, face-to-face communication and authentic conversations between students in the target language and in their first language as well,” Freitag said. “Students are more engaged bell to bell and that has meant that they have met daily language goals.”
While the desks are currently stored in the back of the classroom, Freitag said the change is not permanent.
“My goal has never been to eliminate anything, but instead to include opportunities to build strong, confident, curious learners,” Freitag said. “If this is happening without desks, then I will continue without them, but if I see that desks could provide better learning opportunities, then I will add them back in.”
