When I was selected to open Tyrone Thompson Elementary School in January of 2020, I already came with the belief that you must take care of the people in your building.  A quote that has guided me often comes from Richard Branson who states, “Take care of your employees and they will take care of the clients.”  If we view students and families as clients, we must ensure that those working inside of the building have everything that they need in order to gain the best possible outcomes.

Touring the campus, I found the original teachers’ lounge to be quite small and problematic.  There was a wall running across part of it, creating a weird fracture of the space between the seating area and the bathroom doors.  The mailboxes ate up a ton of space, as did some cabinets and the area for the refrigerator.  Keeping the quote in mind, it took me about two seconds before I decided to sacrifice another room in order to provide a safe space for the individuals in the trenches on campus.

What does your teachers’ lounge look like at your school?  Is it a drab room with a bulletin board full of flyers, no color anywhere, with zero personality?  It is a place that staff members can find peace and solace within the course of a school day? Do you provide any type of snacks or drinks for the staff, or are they on there own?  Are parents near, making copies within earshot of hearing the vent or complaints of those who work in your building?

My viewpoint is one that we must provide a space where those who are doing the dirty work can relax.  As I said, I made it a priority to provide some respite, and what came from that focus was more than I envisioned.  As you enter, you will feel a sense of welcome, with a painted room and some wallpaper on an accent wall.  Visitors often notice the nice tables and chairs next, followed by the framed decor on the wall.  Next is when the magic happens, as they discover there are two massage chairs and two foot massagers waiting for people to indulge in some relaxing moments.  To the right are snacks, and in a closet around a corner is the refrigerator and a cabinet full of items that could be needed to eat a nice meal.  The refreshments are free to staff, paid for through “Student Generated Funds” which are approved monthly, and also enhanced by donations from local businesses or parents.  Oftentimes, the flat panel could be playing music or displaying a fireplace for some ambiance as well.  All are part of a larger vision, which simply is to live up to Mr. Branson’s guiding principle.  Give it a try, if you haven’t already, and remember to always take care of the people!

In the end…most likely this is one idea that teachers and staff members will agree with, even though it is always about perspective.