The Day I Asked for a Different Room & Got my JOY Back!

February of 2025, I sent my principal a formal email, requesting a new classroom. One of our more seasoned colleagues was retiring, and his classroom was now up for grabs. I'd honestly been quietly coveting his space for quite some time...

Our building is old - built in 1939, I am sure it has seen better days. What it has also seen is an influx of students over the years. As such, classrooms are sectioned off with partitions, rather than walls. The moment my hiring principal showed me my room, the mental anguish began to set in.

As someone who suffers from misophonia, my tolerance for certain and specific noises is much lower than the average person's. A repetitive tapping, high-pitched frequency sounds (think cell phone speakers), bass from music that I'm not listening to, etc. quite literally sends me into fight-or-flight mode. My responses are more than the common 'I am annoyed by this'; they are more of an intense, involuntary emotional, physical, and behavioral response.

I'd begun dreading work - not because of my students - but, because of the noise I'd have to deal with coming from the other side of that partition all day long. Work was no longer a source of joy for me. It was a source of emotional distress. I wanted to teach, but I couldn't focus. I could only think about escaping. This escape came via my AirPods and white noise app. I'd begun to depend on these two to get me through my days. While this helped me, it did very little to help my students - who I so very wanted to show up for.

The week before the President's Day holiday, room 509 became available. Without hesitation, I asked my principal to please consider allowing me to relocate. The room is very out of the way. In fact, most people don't even know that the room is in the building. My principal asked if I was sure, citing it's out of the way location. I assured her that not only was I sure, I was SOLD on the room because of the location. I don't think she really wanted me to move back there, but she placed my mental health above her desire to have me centrally located in the building. I will never forget her empathetic concession. Upon her approval, I immediately felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I was ecstatic and so excited to move. I did most of the move by myself. I didn't want to inconvenience custodial staff with an impromptu, February relocation. I had a large bookshelf, my desk, and one other filing cabinet that I needed help with - everything else I moved with the help of students. Due to the holiday, that weekend was a long one. I worked tirelessly that entire weekend - ensuring that my students didn't miss a beat. I have always tried to create a sanctuary for my students - some place pleasant and inviting, yet conducive to focus and diligence. I KNOW that atmosphere affects learning, as it completely affected my teaching. I'd become paralyzed.

I don't know if my principal truly understands what she gifted me with when she said "yes." I pray that she does. I was able to rediscover my passion - my JOY - my reason. I fell back in love with my content - even more importantly - was able to resume building relationships with my students.

And, so...If you're hiding behind your AirPods right now — I see you. And I want you to know: your room is out there. Ask for it. 💜💚