For Mrs. Lenahan, the accessibility, inclusivity and comfort of her classroom play a vital role in creating a safe space for those students who struggle to find those things at home.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s been a challenging week at Almira Elementary School, so I stay with Mrs. Sharon Lenahan after school to help, while she’s doing some cleaning and rearranging of her fourth-grade classroom. She wants to hit a hard reset for her class. The students have been filled with distracted energy, making their way through testing season, while a harsh winter fades and signs of spring emerge.
Throughout Mrs. Lenahan’s years teaching, she’s had many students who come to school each morning from difficult circumstances at home, and she has realized the importance of making sure that, if they have nowhere else to find comfort and safety, her classroom can be that space. She makes sure that each student has a home within Almira and within her classroom, personalized name tags on their cubbies and desks serving as a reminder that they’re welcome and they belong.