📖 Missed the beginning of my journey? Catch up and read The Redesign Part 1 before diving into the next chapter below!
Four months later, the old shabby wallpaper was removed. We were sanding, planning, painting, and getting our room ready for the second phase of the redesign: the new theme.
This room had historically been used for school social functions, including PTA meetings, special school announcements, and other meet-and-greet events. My class came up with the idea to transform it into a mini arts cafe—a place for students to be welcomed and to have a space to vibe and chill out. Throughout our engaging discussions and amusing "artivities," I made sure to emphasize to my students that they were autonomous, free-thinking individuals and clever creators.
We eventually decided on the theme of “Alice in Wonderland”—always a classic subject for enthusiastic travelers. We organized meetings to keep all the moving parts together and even began looking for all-new replenishments for our arts cafe. The class was flowing; there was always a meaningful exchange, and I, acting as a facilitator, was learning exponentially.
The Plot Twist: New Faces and Budget Cuts
As the new year came along, so did the start of the winter/spring term. This meant I had a new batch of students! I had been under the impression I would be staying with the same group that had started the project, but alas, they needed to move on to other courses.
Besides this, I was informed by the non-profit group supplying our materials that my budget would be dropped severely. Therefore, most of my plans and the new supplies would not be coming through as expected. To add to the challenge, the second senior class wasn't quite as "go-getter" as the first.
Even though I was rather disrupted by these two factors, the project was already running and at the halfway point.
"Teaching is not linear—it can be a raucous expedition at times, but it is definitely possible to stay open and adapt when needed."
Slowly but surely, the project continued to progress. A few members of the old crew would sometimes return, new faces became part of the redesign crew, and I was able to find my teaching rhythm again.
Pivoting the Plan
The original intent to completely and properly redesign the room was swept away, and we went with a pared-down version of the concept.
The old wallpaper—which was probably placed back in a pre-disco era—was replaced by shiny white walls awaiting their new story. Instead of getting new wallpaper, I ended up designing Alice motif stencils that we could paint directly onto the walls. We had a great, big volunteer group come through as a service to happily help us with the painting task, and it was good times all around.
Even though we did not meet our initial goal of creating a fully immersive Alice in Wonderland inspired arts cafe, we did get to work on a wildly expansive design project. I also found myself on a true learning journey with this class—one that has stayed with me ever since.
3 Important Lessons I Learned Along the Way
- Teaching is not linear – It can be a raucous expedition at times, but it is entirely possible to stay open and adapt when needed.
- People are happy to help – Sure, it may depend on the situation, but I believe people genuinely want to help each other overcome obstacles, knowing it may take some valiant effort.
- Keep your integrity – Too often, teachers get the “last bite of the pie.” I’ve learned to stay grounded and remember the importance of the work and the service I provide. All teachers deserve way more credit for their rigorous efforts and their compassionate patience.
The True Measure of Success
The success of this class was not in the final, shiny product, but on the trek that was the whole radiant experience of the redesign. It was not an easy assignment to pull off, but I was always looking out for the best interests of my class and my students' experience.
I’ll raise my glass to this artventure and hope all my redesign shipmates are making the best of their respective paths.
