Moveable Classroom Seating - Thanks, Toyota!!!

In the throws of managing super large classes last year, I went on a search for a better classroom set-up. There had to be better seating options than the clunky, space-robbing, seat-attached desks we were using. Not only was there no space, but I was constantly tripping over the backpacks that were EVERYWHERE. I needed a better solution.

And it wasn’t hard to find… there are lots and lots of classroom furniture options out there. The problem, I quickly learned, was going to be money!

Enter Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana.

A colleague reminded me that Toyota offers grants twice a year and advised I apply. I was reluctant because the chairs are pretty expensive. But this colleague offered a golden nugget of advice… the worst that could happen is Toyota would say ‘No.’ He was right. It would only cost me a little time. So, I pulled out all the stops and searched waaaaay back in the recesses of my brain. All the way back to my days of selling Xerox copiers and wrote proposals on a daily basis. I selected the Steelcase Node Chair, created and submitted my proposal, and then crossed my fingers.

I received notification of my grant award in the middle of summer… to much yelling, jumping, and celebrating in typical crazy, Señora Jota Jota fashion! My kids came running to make sure I was OK.

The chairs were super easy to install. It was a matter of taking them out of the boxes, putting the three pieces together, and setting them upright. SUPER SIMPLE! They come with carpet casters that glide very nicely (but aren’t so smooth that they encourage bumper cars!), have a space to store backpacks, offer lumbar support, and the desks move to accommodate right or left-handed students.

The best part? The seats swivel. It seems like such a trivial thing. But the reality is a real breath of fresh air! Those students with a ton of energy (like ME!) can move in comfort and not be a distraction. Those same kids that blurt out or cause a disruption have an outlet. And the very simple fix was having a seat they could swivel in. It is not distracting in the least and it serves a very basic need these kids have – TO MOVE. I quickly realized that institutionally we deprive students of so many opportunities to move – no wonder they have difficulty paying attention!

These seats are such an efficient use of space that I removed 30 regular desks, one tall library table, and one other table and I replaced them with 27 Steelcase Node Chairs… I have SO MUCH MORE SPACE THAN BEFORE!!!

This is my room before:

You can see for yourself how awesome these chairs are!

THANK YOU, TOYOTA!!!!!!