Addison Hensley

Typically in classes, you see bare, plain grey or white walls. But for Government teacher and Student Senate advisor, Jeffrey Moore decided to make a tradition of filling those walls. Moore’s room is filled with colorful brick, extravagant ceiling panels, and radiant cabinets. But this was not done by himself, it was done by his students over the last 30 years of his career. The school has offered a leadership class for a long time and the person who happens to teach it is none other than Mr. Moore. Every year, he asks his leadership students to fill out a ceiling panel, brick that goes on the wall, or a cabinet. He wants his students to decorate them to emulate themselves and their creativity. Sometimes students even get lost in the beauty of the room. Junior AP US Government student, Kennedy Gipple speaks on this experience.
“History isn’t always my favorite subject so sometimes I do honestly zone out. But what’s different about zoning out in this class than other classes is you read all the quotes past students wrote or admire the painting a student did,” said Gipple.
Mr. Moore tells that the tradition was started when he was assigned to teach the leadership class. He wanted something that would capture not only his career but his students’ successes. Now all four corners of the room are eye-catching artworks done by students.
“I knew that students never liked coming into a classroom where the walls are bare, it automatically makes them think the class is going to be boring. This way, I can show student success while also inspiring my current students to that same level of success,” said Moore.
As this is Mr. Moore’s last year before retirement, the million dollar question has been “What will happen to Mr. Moore’s room?” And the answer is still remained to be seen.
“I have absolutely no clue what they’re going to do with my room. Maybe the new leadership teacher will keep the tradition alive, they might paint over it all a bunch of things could happen between now and next August,” said Moore.
With the school year coming to a quick end, soon the current students of the leadership class will be asked to take home something of the classroom to make their mark (literally) on the school. No matter what becomes of Mr. Moore’s room, the students of the last thirty years will forever remember this unique classroom.