Setting Up a Healthy & Nontoxic Classroom
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Amidst the strangest year that has ever occurred within my lifetime, the schools in some parts of the United States are kicking off the new school year, mostly online, but some in person as well. I think that now is as good a time as ever to discuss some ideas for how to set up a healthy and nontoxic classroom. This discussion can be applied, not just to institutional classrooms, but also to homeschooling, as well as to offices, both inside and outside the home. And I also just want to note that I began drafting this post back in January of 2020, prior to the global shutdown. Thus, the ideas here are not reflective of the pandemic, and I won’t be discussing whether or not it is safe for classes to resume under the current circumstances. The purpose of this post is to discuss actions that can be taken in any work space, under normal circumstances, to create a more healthy environment.
I've worked in countless classrooms over the last 14 years, both in the United States and abroad. I've taught university photography courses as an adjunct professor at two universities and one college in the Washington DC area and in South Africa. I've been an instructor at a summer art camp for teens in Ireland. I've taught my own photography camp on a farm in Virginia. I've also worked within a public school system in Northern Virginia, on and off since 2006, in a capacity that puts me in a different school and classroom nearly every day. Plus, in my childhood and early adult years, I've also been a student in classrooms in a variety of school settings from age 4 - 25, including preschool conducted by my friend's mom in their home; private elementary school with a total of ~100 students from kindergarten through eighth grade; public high school; and undergraduate and graduate studies in three universities and one college in the U.S., along with a Fulbright Fellowship hosted by a university in Finland. And now of course, many of us are experiencing online classrooms. I feel that I have become somewhat of an expert in classroom setups over the course of my lifetime.
I'm not going to go into the politics or pay of being a teacher. That is, for the most part, a completely different discussion, except to say that teachers, under most circumstances, certainly aren't compensated for any time and effort that they spend jazzing up their classrooms. Often they're hardly compensated at all, especially in the case of adjunct professors, who don't receive any benefits and usually even have to pay for their own on-campus parking, which in my experience was at max $23 daily. In many cases, particularly for middle and high schools, along with colleges and universities, teachers are shuffled around to any number of different classrooms that they cannot call their own anyway. The majority of the classrooms I've encountered are mediocre, to say the least. But some teachers invest their personal time, money and creative energy to uplift the atmosphere of the rooms in which they'll be spending 8+ hours of their life over the next 180 days.
There may be some tidying up that occurs in the days leading up to the beginning of the school year. As an elementary school student, I sometimes volunteered my time toward the end of the summer vacation, to help teachers and aides prepare their classrooms in late August. This job often involved removing staples and thumbtacks from cork boards and cutting out letters to spell out words like WELCOME; LEARNING IS FUN; REACH FOR THE STARS and so on. It also meant organizing bookshelves and paperwork. Throughout the school year, our teachers regularly put us to work, spraying down desks and chairs with disinfectant; wiping the chalkboard clean; going outside to clap out the chalk in the chalkboard erasers; sweeping the carpet; and updating that motivational cork board. It was an excellent lesson in taking responsibility for our own messes.
Once in upper level education, that classroom maintenance is often overlooked. While there were janitors who vacuumed and took out the trash, the rest of the surfaces were often left to accumulate dust, fingerprints, dirt, crumbs, and general stickiness. The most notable classroom that I’ve encountered in recent years, has been that of a high school English teacher who had a very select number of posters up, created by students, that offer clever and aesthetically pleasing takes on the plays that are studied throughout the year. The window blinds are pulled up to allow maximum natural light into the room. The white board is spotless, aside from the righthand side, that is blocked off for a very neatly written out agenda for each class, updated daily. Perpendicular to the teacher's desk is a short bookshelf that houses mugs, tea bags and an electric kettle. You just want to work in that environment. It pulls you in.
Photo caption: This was one of my teacher work spaces. It had very poor lighting and air circulation.
Other classrooms, in contrast, leave you staring at the clock on the wall, praying it will speed up to get you to the end of the day - except that the clock on the wall doesn't even work and the second hand just jolts back and forth in one spot, and the teacher's desk is covered in out of date papers and coffee stains and there are no windows and your chair is half broken and you have to sit in a weird position all day that causes a cramp in your side. You get the idea. Classrooms can be lovely places to work or total disasters. The organization and cleanliness surely has an affect on the enthusiasm levels of those who sit within those four walls each day.
As a teacher, I've never had a classroom to call my own. Although I did have my own personal closet workspace at one university that reeked of paint fumes from the art closet on the other side of the wall. And I had a shared workroom inside a closet at another university, with an iMac atop a desk, along with a dusty bookshelf and a trash can. On the bright side (no pun intended), the tiny room did have a window at least. Workrooms in general are typically gross, particularly because the refrigerators, microwaves and other surfaces haven't been wiped down in ages and, like the classrooms, dust is everywhere.
Now that we've discussed the status of classrooms in the 21 century, let's dive into how we can make classrooms and work environments healthier places to spend a third of our daily lives!
Set up a system for organization & cleaning.
The last few paragraphs have concentrated on the organization and cleanliness of a classroom. This is the most obvious aspect of setting up a healthier classroom, and oftentimes, the most difficult. It really comes down to setting up a place for everything that lives in the classroom, a routine for waste management, along with a schedule for tasks like dusting and disinfecting surfaces. It also requires the willpower to eventually toss the out-dated paperwork and student projects. Be sure to check out my blog post and video all about setting up a great waste management system. It's best to have separate bins for each of the following: paper; metal; glass; compost; landfill. Getting the students involved in the classroom order and cleanliness is an excellent way to reduce the cleaning load on the teacher. And when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting, be sure to avoid the generic spray bottles and rather make your own, using natural ingredients. My go-to recipe for surface cleaning is diluting Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap in a spray bottle with an eco-friendly alternative to paper towels. The official recommendation from the company is as follows: “¼ c. soap in a quart of water in a spray bottle. Add ¼ tsp. tea tree essential oil if desired.” Super simple! For heavy duty disinfecting, there are plenty of recipes out there using ingredients such as vodka; vinegar; baking soda; essential oils; lemon or hydrogen peroxide. Dr. Axe has a great surface cleaner disinfectant spray recipe here, which he recommends using rather than bleach. If however, bleach is required, make sure there is plenty of ventilation while in use; nothing is mixed with the bleach; no kids or pets are around at the time of application; and no residue is left behind. Gloves, eye protection and a face mask should also be worn when cleaning with bleach.
Pull up the blinds and crack those windows!
It is so crucial to experience fresh air and sunlight on a daily basis, and as much as possible. Because of this, if at all possible, opt for a classroom with windows. Open the blinds all the way. In our local public schools, it's a trend nowadays for teachers to keep the blinds completely closed all day. I understand that the motivation behind this is to take away distractions and help students focus. But instead of depriving students of a basic human need for the best hours of the day, pull up those blinds and read on for other ways to pull in their attention throughout the daily lesson! Keeping the windows cracked throughout the day helps clean the room and brings fresh oxygen (unless the outside air is highly polluted, such as in the case of smog or wildfires). Even on cold winter days, a little bit of chill from the outdoors for just a few minutes per hour, can really help liven up the room.
When I was a high school student, I took Latin and our teacher occasionally allowed us to do our work outside on the bleachers on nice days. In my photography classes, we sometimes had the opportunity to explore the schoolyard with our cameras. My friends and I also often ate lunch outside. Now those sure are the days you remember twenty years later! If you do not have a window in your classroom, you may want to invest in an air filter and a fan to help filter and circulate the air.
Adjust the lighting.
The typical fluorescent lights that brighten up a classroom or workspace are actually the worst lights by which to be exposed. They contain mercury, which is a major hazard in the event that they break. Additionally, they emit radiation and blue rays, without any balance of red rays. Blue lights cause havoc on our hormones and we discussed this in depth over on this blog post. Also discussed in that blog post are the benefits of wearing blue light blocking glasses when screen time is necessary. I don't know about you, but I feel yucky after spending 8 hours in a stuffy classroom under fluorescent lighting. Whenever I have the opportunity, I turn off the overhead lights in a classroom and use window light instead. Lamps with incandescent bulbs can be brought into the classroom instead for increased lighting. They provide full spectrum light and don't emit dirty electricity. [Source] I’ve even seen a handful of classrooms strung with twinkle lights. Check out this interview with Thaddeus Owen from the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) Wise Traditions podcast for more information about how light and temperature fluctuation are so critical to human health.
On the subject of fresh air and natural light, Wiehan can tell you that the typical classrooms in South African primary and secondary schools don’t have central heating and cooling. Thus, the doors and windows are always open. The natural light is all you need to brighten up the rooms. And lunch is eaten outside every day, no matter the weather. When he was in high school and university, he brought a hot water bottle with him to write tests in the winter, so that his hands would be warm enough to write quickly! It drives him crazy to see the ways in which Americans have become totally disconnected to nature. Nowadays, between our homes, cars and offices, we can go an entire day without breathing in fresh air or letting our eyes see unfiltered sunlight. Our ancestors certainly would raise an eyebrow at that kind of lifestyle!
Limit screen time.
This one is obviously hugely challenging at this time, given that all over the globe, students are stuck at home, staring at screens for remote online learning. We all know that staring at a screen all day is not healthy whatsoever, and especially for children. But in the event that online learning it completely unavoidable, it’s best to come up with strategies for limiting screen time as much as possible. If the teacher allows the option to print out work, that’s a much better option than requiring children to complete all assignments on screen. Yes, this does generate more home expenses, by way of paper and ink, but it really is in the best interest of health. To limit the environmental strain of all the paper use, toss the assignments in the recycling bin or compost pile when they’re no longer needed in the student’s files.
When I was in high school, cell phones were just starting to become obtainable for students. I had one of those classic Nokia phones and it sat in my backpack all day. Technically, it was supposed to be turned off during the school day, only for use when communicating with parents after school. It didn’t offer any distraction from a school day, though my peers enjoyed playing the snake game. We were better off in those days with the policy that if a teacher saw a cellphone during class hours, it would be confiscated. Nowadays, I have witnessed how distracting and destructive cellphones and tablets have become for students. For a helpful conversation about overcoming screen addiction, both for children and adults, check out the WAPF podcast episode on the subject here.
During this phase of a student’s life when screen time is obligatory for schooling, it may be best to cut way back on TV shows and video games during the school year. Rather, plan out fun real life activities like art projects, board games, cooking, gardening, walks in the park, jump rope, bike rides, etc. This brings us to our next point - take frequent breaks for movement!
Encourage plenty of movement.
Just like fresh air and sunshine, movement is also a critical element of being human. I, for one, do not believe that humans are on this earth to sit indoors for 8+ hours a day. And as someone who pursued studio art in my undergraduate and graduate studies, I clearly have a love for hands-on learning. The problem is that hands-on learning is really difficult to scale. I get that. But at the very least, students should be encouraged to take periodic stretching breaks, at least every 45-minutes, and even have the opportunity to take a few short walks outside throughout the work day. Students should also be encouraged to exercise their eyes by looking up at the trees and looking off in the distance when outdoors, giving their eyes a break from staring at screens and chalkboards. By incorporating a good balance of working and resting, the classroom environment and student health, mood and performance will be greatly improved.
Be aware of electromagnetic radiation.
This is a controversial topic and it's really difficult to find solid and trustworthy information regarding the safety of EMFs. Large industries make their billions from devices that emit EMFs. And unfortunately, as is often the case with health & safety, when there's big money in an industry, there is often insufficient research and inaccurate reporting in regard to safety. Because of this, the popular belief is that cellphones and other electrical technologies are safe. Remember when the U.S. government encouraged smoking for its supposed health benefits? Sources that I trust, including WAPF and Dr. Mercola, put out information that offers cause for concern. We love the convenience of WiFi and the ability that it gives us to connect with others at lightning speed. But there's never been a proper safety test for WiFi. And it's a fact that electromagnetic hypersensitivity not only exists, but that for those who have it, it's debilitating, with symptoms like insomnia, headache, dizziness, anxiety, lack of concentration, and more. With EMFs only increasing at this time, EMF hypersensitivity is bound to increase as well. Thus, when I see a router in every single classroom in a large high school, it gives me pause. There's a trend popping up by which folks are switching their homes from WiFi back to ethernet. I would support unbiased studies to test the safety of WiFi and consider switching schools back to wired technology. For information on the subject, there's a new book out called The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life, by Arthur Firstenberg.
At the very least, it would be best to instruct students to turn phones and other devices on airplane mode when internet usage is not necessary. Situate all desks, both students’ and teachers’ alike, as far away from the router as possible. Encourage the use of EMF-free wired headphones, rather than ear pods. Discourage the use of wearable technology and make use of EMF-blocking products such as those available from DefenderShield, which aid in limiting some of the EMFs emitted from devices.
Avoid artificial scents.
I often smell that generic wall plug scent when I walk into a classroom. And then I spend the next 5 minutes tracking it down to turn it off. Generic wall plug air fresheners and conventional room sprays are loaded with toxins. Avoid these at all cost. Instead, you can make your own room spray with essential oils. I use a recipe from the book Essential Oils: Ancient Medicine, by Dr. Josh Axe, Ty Bollinger and Jordan Rubin as a guide for making my own. Or you can invest in an essential oil diffuser and / or Himalayan salt lamp.
Avoid generic hand sanitizer.
Okay, this one is going to seem exceptionally controversial, given the current circumstances. But the generic stuff is loaded with toxic chemicals that are left to sit on the skin and studies have shown that leave-on hand sanitizers are not as effective as washing hands. When given the option, I prefer to wash my hands with soap and water. And to be honest, I even bring my own soap to school! Again, this is where Dr. Bronner's liquid soap shines! I pour some into a travel container, dilute with water, and take with me on the go. By doing this, I avoid the toxic chemicals of the generic soap in the bathroom's soap dispensers. If your classroom has a sink, it’s a great idea to set up a natural liquid soap dispenser. The same goes for workrooms as well. And when it's not possible to wash with soap and water, Dr. Bronner also makes an organic hand sanitizer spray. Alternatively, you could make your own natural hand sanitizer and / or homemade disinfectant wipes. The Wellness Mama blog has a great post on the subject, along with some recipes here.
Do not give out candy.
Oh man. This one sure is a big problem in many classrooms and workplace scenarios. I have many memories of eating candy and desserts in elementary school. While in the moment it was fun, the subsequent sugar crashes surely were anything but fun, for anyone involved. But as kids, we didn’t know or understand the cause and effect. It’s plain and simple. Don't give out candy. Just don't. If you want your students to be able to focus, sugar has the opposite effect. If you really want to reward your students with a fun snack, go for real foods instead, like fruit, dried fruit leathers, fat bombs, cheese, biltong, or trail mix or granola made from presoaked nuts, in the event that nuts are allowed. I have very fun memories from preschool of making “ants on a log” (peanut butter and raisins on celery sticks) and “flying saucers” (tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on pita bread) with my classmates. I also have a memory of trying fried squid in the 5th grade. When it comes to treats, there are so many better options than candy, and often those options can provide fun learning opportunities.
Pack your own lunch and don't use microwaves.
Bring food that doesn't need to be heated up. I don't believe in microwaves, again going back to the EMF issue. But also, those microwaves in the workroom, as stated before, are gross! Instead, my favorite lunch on the go is a salad, with greens, sliced carrots, cucumbers when in season, dried figs, caper berries and tuna mixed with mayo. Maybe even a hard boiled egg or presoaked rice. Drizzle a little olive oil and apple cider vinegar over the veggies, along with a dash of himalayan salt. I don't tolerate nuts and seeds well, but if you do, add some presoaked nuts and seeds as well. Pack the container in a lunch bag, with a fork and an icepack and you're ready to go! I also pack fruit, typically an apple. And my weakness is avocado oil potato chips. These are my favorite! If you do love warm lunches at work and you have your own counter space, consider investing in a toaster oven. We’ll talk more about avoiding plastic further down, but while we’re on the subject of packing lunches, be sure to also invest in some glass food storage containers with leak-proof lids and / or stainless steel containers. We use ours constantly!
Don't use coffee pods.
Coffee pods have all kinds of issues, including problems with waste, plastic, aluminum and biofilm. Learn more at this blog post by Wellness Mama. Instead, if you really want a hot beverage while at school, invest in an electric glass or stainless steel water kettle.
When Wiehan worked in an office setting, he got really fancy about his coffee. He bought this portable and manual device, which allowed him to make a makeshift latte from the office kitchen. He and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to microwaves, so he heated up his milk in the microwave. But for those who don't want to use a microwave, you could invest in a glass or stainless steel French press and a milk frother instead. And for the freshest coffee, it's best to purchase whole coffee beans, preferably organic and fair trade, along with investing in a coffee grinder. Resist flavored creamer and bring your own milk to school. I love taking raw milk on the go in a mason jar. If you simply can’t drink coffee without sweetener, consider honey or maple syrup as an alternative to sugar. For more about the ways we love to make coffee over here at Mountain Road, check out our blog post all about it here!
Decorate the classroom with low maintenance plants.
While it’s up for scientific debate just how beneficial indoor plants are when it comes to cleaning the air, there’s no denying the positive psychological effect of practicing your green thumb at the workplace. My personal favorite plant to keep indoors is aloe vera. Other great ideas are bamboo palm, spider plant, sword fern and Areca palm. Just be sure to water the plants every few days, gently wipe down any dust buildup on the leaves with a damp rag, and change out the soil at the end of each school year.
Ditch the plastic.
This one sure is difficult. Plastics are rampant today, despite the fact that they are harmful to human health, as well as the health of the planet. Sure, plastic is an amazing material that serves many important purposes. But there are so many objects that exist today that could have been produced using natural ingredients instead. As is the case with all the other unavoidable toxins around us, it’s important to educate ourselves on the risks, while becoming more aware of our exposure to those toxins on a daily basis. There’s a helpful podcast episode from Wise Traditions titled Life in Plastic… NOT Fantastic. Whenever possible, opt for items in the classroom made from natural materials, such as wood, stainless steel and glass (for situations in which the glass isn’t at risk of breaking).
One of the most notable ways in which to ditch plastic in the workspace is avoiding the water cooler, or other plastic water bottles. Instead, bring your own water, in a glass or stainless steel container. I love my Lifefactory water bottles and have had them for years, and traveled with them on countless local and international trips, without any ever breaking. When I head off to the classroom for a day, I pack one 22-oz Lifefactory bottle filled with our home well water, along with one small Hydro Flask filled with ice water, and one 16-oz Lifefactory bottle filled with my homemade electrolyte tea.
Another great way to minimize the amount of plastic with which you come into contact each day is to choose clothing made from natural materials, such as cotton, wool, hemp, linen, cashmere and silk. I have a blog post on the topic here.
Support local school initiatives for organic vegetable gardens.
I’ve seen firsthand the excitement of elementary school kids running out to the garden to see what’s growing. Gardens are excellent resources for any school subject, with countless lessons to be taught. For example: art classes can draw the plants; creative writing classes can write stories inspired by the garden; history classes can learn about the foods native to the area; science classes can study the elements that make up healthy soil, and so on. All the while, students are learning that cucumbers grow on a vine and potatoes grow under ground. Kids are supposedly much more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are involved in the growing process and have an understanding of where food comes from. It’s a win-win-win! Be sure to scroll down to some examples of our Mountain Road art work, including several framed photographs from school gardens.
That wraps up my list! Did I miss anything? Do you have any tips for better classroom organization? I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and engage with the discussion. Thanks!
- Christin
