Do Teachers Need Desks?

My teacher desk doubled as a computer station.

Principal Larkin is considering giving up his office, which I think is a unique idea. This kind of forward thinking is just what is needed in school leadership. It makes me (and a few people who commented on his blog) wonder if teachers really need desks.

The problem with teacher desks:

• It becomes too easy to spend a lot of time there- time that should be spent with students. We're all guilty of this.
• A teacher 'desk' turns into a 'corner' and can takeover a room.
• It's a symbol of power, and intimidates students who want to come ask for help.
• It separates the teacher from the students; my learning vs. your learning, it should be our learning.

Teacher desks should probably be on the list of 10 Things Teachers Should Pitch This Spring, but if you don't have a laptop at school (I don't) and aren't able to give up the idea of having your own space entirely yet, you may consider:

• Having your desk double as a student work station. I come from the viewpoint that if it is a school issued computer then students should be able to use it too. It also forces you to keep things organized and put away.
• Turning your desk so that it faces a wall. This makes your room look bigger, and you won't want to sit there during class with your back facing the kids- therefore you won't sit there as much.

I have a room in my house designated as an office, but I usually just stretch out on the bed with my papers and laptop; it's where I get my best prep work and writing done. I'd like to bring that same vibe to my classroom, so next year (wherever I am) I'm either going to get rid of my teacher desk or blend it in to the rest of my classroom.

I wonder what my students' parents will think when they walk into a classroom that doesn't have a clearly visible teacher desk?