Although some may argue differently, a playroom doesn’t make for a great dining room and a gym isn’t conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. For a space to achieve the goals we have in mind, it has to be designed with thought and attention to the function of the room.
We see that principle playing out in Parshat Terumah, which teaches that before the Bnai Yisrael could serve Hashem in the Mishkan, the space itself had to be carefully built. To that end, the Torah describes the structure, the vessels, and the design in great detail. We learn about the measurements, materials, and placement of the items within the Mishkan, teaching that holiness is not only found in overall aesthetic but in the careful execution of the vision.
This reminds us of a powerful principle in education: the environment of the classroom sets the stage for the quality of learning that will take place within it. The details matter in terms of the furnishings selected, how they are organized, and the decorations, materials, and other accoutrement needed for the function of the space. Since every child brings different strengths, capacities, and challenges, the classroom environment should be designed in such a way that every child can see themselves reflected in the space. It should be a space in which every child can learn and flourish.
We see in our classrooms a great deal of variety in the furniture, layout, and learning materials provided, as befits the age and unique characteristics of the students and, of course, the subjects taught. Within our classrooms, students have opportunities to work independently and in small groups, as well as with the entire class. They have access to a rich variety of learning tools and materials to help deepen their comprehension and bring content to life. To see our students engaged purposefully and immersively in their learning brings great joy to us all!
We learn from Torah, that more than the physical details, the builders of the Mishkan attended to the emotional and psychosocial climate of the space, designing it to inspire awe and reverence, in order to create an environment filled with kedusha. In educating children, the consistent routines, patient responses, caring words, and steady expectations matter every bit as much as the arrangement and selection of the furniture arrangement and the curricula taught. Guided by our mission to inspire spiritual growth, develop students’ middot, and create a love of learning, we must build a setting that is safe, warm, and intentional.
Children grow best when the structure around them supports the values we strive to inculcate in them. Ultimately, as in the Mishkan, when we make a space for Hashem to dwell in the halls and walls of our school, our students will thrive and grow to bring nachat to their families and to klal Yisrael.
Shabbat Shalom!