Mrs. Whiford's Flex Space for Middle School Classroom

Hi! My name is Tracey Whitford, and I teach special education at a middle school here is the high desert. This year, I transitioned into a new teaching role and quickly realized that many of my students struggle with focus, attention, and emotional regulation during class. I wanted to create a more welcoming and supportive learning environment—one that helps students feel calm, safe, and ready to learn.

When I found a great deal on high-quality flexible seating from the Pottery Barn Outlet, I knew it was the right opportunity to make a change. Using my own funds, I purchased several pieces of cozy, durable furniture and created a flex space right in our classroom.

The results have been amazing. Students are more engaged, more focused, and more at ease. They’ve even written about how much the new seating has meant to them. One student wrote:

“What I think of the new seating is that they are comfortable and that they make me feel relaxed. I like them because they make me feel like I am sitting on a cloud and they are so good to sit on that I feel smarter and make me feel more strong and that I can do anything and nothing could get in my way.”

Yes this might be a slight exaggeration but hey I will take what I can get :)

If you would like to donate to this cause, it would help cover the cost of this furniture, as I recently found out my school site and special education department is unable to offer reimbursements. Every donation will go directly toward the flexible seating that’s already making a big difference in my classroom.

Thank you so much for helping me do something special for some really great kids and for helping create a welcoming classroom for my students.

-Tracey Whitford

Special Education Teacher