Marjory Stoneman Douglas teacher Brittany Sinitch. Photos courtesy Lysol and The Superhero Teacher.
By: Sharon Aron Baron
Marjory Stoneman Douglas teacher Brittany Sinitch received an Extreme Makeover for her classroom after her submission captured the hearts of judges.
Called the Extreme Makeover Classroom Edition Contest sponsored by Lysol in partnership with The Superhero Teacher, they traveled to the school to transform her classroom into a happy and healthy – but most importantly safe and calm, environment where she and her students can thrive.
New classroom
Sinitch teaches high school English and drama at the Parkland school, and according to My Healthy Classroom, “her entry completely blew us away.
”Sinitch wrote in her entry on June 7:
“Everyone who knows me knows that room 1218 was my favorite place in the world.
When I found out that I would be in the 1200 building I was elated to say the least. It was a building that I once walked the halls of as a freshman in high school. To be able to come back to my alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas and teach there was always the dream for me and this year it became a reality.
Brittany Sinitch during the reveal
I remember begging everyone at school to let me in early to begin decorating my classroom. I turned it into the most beautiful, comfortable, and inviting space for anyone and everyone.
There was wooden wallpaper, twinkly lights, and comfortable chairs for my students. There was unique art on the walls and inspiring messages to encourage my students while in my room.
I truly thought room 1218 was my safe space, until February 14th when everything changed.
I choose to fight for our 17 angels every single day. I choose light, because that is what my students would want me to do. I walked out of room 1218 that day and will never step foot back inside again.
Everything that I once loved and owned is now part of a crime scene. Today, I push a cart around Marjory Stoneman Douglas. I push into 5 different classrooms, and this classroom pictured above is one of them. This is a much smaller classroom than what I was used to and it feels so extremely bare to me. Being able to use this small space for the remainder of this year taught me something though.
When my students and I were in this room together, it suddenly felt comfortable. It felt safe. It felt right. Next year, I am truly hoping to make this classroom my new home, but I know that it needs a lot of work and that I can’t do it alone.
I want to create a new safe space for my students to feel welcome, comfortable, and inspired.
With that said, I feel so grateful to possibly have the opportunity to #FlipMyClassroom this summer. No matter what we are #MSDStrong.”
The Superhero Teacher surprised Sinitch with the news that she was our grand prize winner at a conference in Nashville.
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