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Shoeboxes are becoming miniature classrooms at Chantilly Academy, where aspiring educators are designing the learning spaces they hope to lead one day.
The high school juniors and seniors in Teachers for Tomorrow created dioramas featuring reading nooks, flexible seating, calm-down corners and even photography labs. The assignment is part of a dual enrollment portfolio that allows participants to earn both high school credit and college credit from Northern Virginia Community College.
Beyond planning how their classrooms might look, students considered how layout, structure and comfort can influence teaching and learning.
Nix, who wants to become a high school photography teacher, drew from his experiences at Chantilly High School. His model includes a darkroom, counter space and camera carts modeled after the photography labs where he learned.
“My goal is to have my students in a space where they feel like they can express themselves,” he said. His design emphasizes creative play and hands-on exploration.
Students planning to teach at the elementary level took different approaches. Luke, Claire and Teagan incorporated quiet spaces, colorful visuals and alternative seating into classrooms built around flexibility and structure.
“Having a comfortable environment makes the learning process more fun,” Claire said. Luke focused on letting students choose where and how they complete their work.
Teagan has shadowed teachers across multiple grade levels, an experience that is helping her determine where she would like to teach.
“You really get to see what different classrooms are like and where you would want to go,” she said.
Leah, Silvia and Nila centered their designs on comfort, participation and a sense of belonging. Their models include flexible seating, reading areas, motivational messages and walls displaying useful resources.
“Feeling comfortable helps kids learn best,” Silvia said.
Nila plans to teach upper elementary grades and already tutors younger students. She designed her classroom with students’ focus, confidence and connections in mind.
“I want students to feel warm and supported — not just sitting in plastic chairs all day,” she said.
Teachers for Tomorrow combines hands-on assignments, early classroom experiences and dual enrollment opportunities to introduce students to education careers and provide a potential pathway back into Fairfax County Public Schools.
The Virginia Department of Education-approved program is available to high school juniors and seniors interested in becoming educators. Through their miniature classrooms, the Chantilly Academy students are already defining the values they want to bring to the profession, including creativity, flexibility, inclusion and an understanding of how different students learn.