Teachers Count

Teachers' Lounge Makeover

Research shows that one of the most effective means for teacher professional development is through healthy collaboration. TeachersCount, in partnership with Kappa Delta Pi, Staples, Brian Patrick Flynn and the HP Foundation, has rebuilt teachers’ lounges in five schools.

Partners

Brian Patrick Flynn is a talented interior design expert known for his work on the TBS series Movie and a Makeover as well as his web based lifestyle editorial DecorDemon.com. Brian conceptualized the lounge renovation and helped obtain donations from various design outlets in order to realize the beautiful lounges.

Kappa Delta Pi is a professional association for educators. KDP arranged for teacher representatives and volunteers who donated their time and effort to help reconstruct the lounges.

Staples donated $2,500 per school to fund work and supply costs.

The HP Foundation donated five all-in-one HP TouchSmart computers to each of the schools.

Press

TeachersCount in The New York Times Our teachers' lounge makeover project was featured in the New York Times Home and Garden section. To read the article click here.

Participating Schools

Solomon Plains Jr. High School, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Edmunds Middle School , Burlington, Vermont

John F Kennedy Middle School , Springfield, Massachusetts

Samuel W. Bridgham Middle School , Providence, Rhode Island

Woodward Park Middle School , Columbus, Ohio

Before and After: Photos and Videos

Video and Photos from Samuel W. Bridgham Middle School, Providence, Rhode Island

Before being renovated, Bridgham's faculty lounge was drab and seldom used, better suited for retiring old copying machines, one bulky soda machine, and a broken refrigerator rusted by age. This lounge was renovated during the summer with the support of professional craftsman and volunteers. Now bright and cheerful with hues of blue, yellow and white, the lounge has become a forum for pedagogical shop talk and a place to eat in comfort, socialize with friends, surf the internet on the new HP TouchSmart Computer and well, just lounge. The once drab room is now lively and spirited with smiling faces cementing lasting friendships. Bridgham's faculty wishes to give their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this renovation, particularly TeachersCount which initiated the renovation and financially supported this undertaking.

-Michael Cote, Bridgham

Photo credit: Sarah Dorio

Participating Teacher Reviews

After 25 years at Bridgham, I have a place to relax. I use the HP TouchSmart, eat lunch and grade papers. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

-Ann-Marie D'Ambrosio, Teacher at Samuel W. Bridgham

Every teacher, young and old, now eats lunch together. It's wonderful.

-Gloria Stoehr, Teacher at Samuel W. Bridgham

Before being renovated, Bridgham's faculty lounge was drab and seldom used, better suited for retiring old copying machines, one bulky soda machine, and a broken refrigerator rusted by age. This lounge was renovated during the summer with the support of professional craftsman and volunteers. Now bright and cheerful with hues of blue, yellow and white, the lounge has become a forum for pedagogical shop talk and a place to eat in comfort, socialize with friends, surf the internet on the new HP TouchSmart Computer and well, just lounge. The once drab room is now lively and spirited with smiling faces cementing lasting friendships. Bridgham's faculty wishes to give their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this renovation, particularly Teacherscount which initiated the renovation and financially supported this undertaking.

-Michael Cote, Teacher at Samuel W. Bridgham