Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
– Harriet Tubman

“Classroom climate has a direct influence on student learning. A classroom that is psychologically intimidating inhibits the free exchange of ideas, while one that is too noisy or unstructured can hinder focus and deep thinking. However, less attention is given to how the physical environment communicates who and what is valued. The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (2022), using findings from the U.S. Department of Education School Climate Surveys, reports that the physical environment influences student behavior and achievement, as well as teacher absenteeism. We must attend to the physical environment of schools, especially for students who face systemic obstacles, including those living in poverty.”

So begins an article, “Tending to Learning Environments,” by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, on the ASCF website.