Let’s meet the children of Through Their Eyes—Artcobell's movement to design learning environments from the perspective of students who use them every day.
Their personas will give you a first-hand perspective on how different learners perceive their surroundings. From the child who thrives when she can move to the one who needs a quiet corner to recharge, to the student who feels empowered when everything is within reach, we uncover opportunities to make environments more inclusive, more adaptable, and more inspiring when we see a classroom "through their eyes."
With this series, we invite you to imagine what education can become....
I’m Brian. I’m 13.
A lot of people at school think I’m quiet, or serious, or just “hard to read.”
Maybe that’s true. I guess when you’ve been through a lot, you learn to keep some things close.
My mom died in a car accident when I was younger, and my dad—he’s a veteran—has good days and hard days. Home isn’t always predictable, so school is the place where I try to find my balance. Some days I get there, some days I don’t. But I keep trying.
I feel safest when I know what to expect. When the room, the routine, and the people don’t shift too fast. And even though I’m not loud about it, I care—a lot. About learning, about my teammates, about my twin who’s always got my back.
Here’s what school feels like through my eyes.
MEET MY FRIENDS
- MALEKO: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- LUKE: Muscular Dystrophy
- MATEO: Language Processing
- LUCIA: Diabetes
- JADE: Fine Motor Delay
- QUINN: Twice Exceptional (2e), Social Anxiety
- LILY: A Little Shy
- IMANI: ADHD
- OLIVER: Autism
Movement Helps Me Reset
I play volleyball because it keeps me grounded.
Jumping, blocking, diving—those moments pull all the noise out of my head.
In class, I need something kind of like that.
A soft seating rocker helps more than people might think. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud.
It just lets me breathe, move a little, and loosen up my shoulders when my body gets tight from stress.
When I’m moving, even a little, I’m calmer.
Calmer means I can think.
I Need Spaces That Feel Safe, Not Exposed
Sometimes my mind starts racing—too many thoughts, too many memories, too much noise inside. When that happens, I need a spot that feels contained, not wide open.
A desk with a modesty panel or a study carrel makes a big difference.
It’s not about hiding.
It’s about having a space where my nervous system can settle, and I can focus on what’s in front of me.
I like having a fully welded desk with a book box, too. It’s sturdy, reliable. My stuff stays there. Even if the room gets rearranged, my desk feels the same. Consistency matters to me more than people realize.
I Learn When I Can Move and Talk Through Ideas
I get a lot out of social studies and debate.
Talking things out—current events, big questions, history—it helps me make sense of the world and myself.
But I don’t jump in right away. I listen first.
I watch the room.
I figure out which people feel safe to talk around.
When I’m ready, I like sitting at NXT MOV shape tables because they can shift depending on what we’re doing. If I want to work with a partner, I can. If I need space, I can separate my table. No drama. No explaining.
I like having the choice.
A Place to Step Back Without Feeling “Sent Away”
Sometimes I need a break before I react.
Not detention. Not punishment.
Just… space.
A calm space with soft seating, dimmer lighting, and some acoustic privacy lets me reset without everyone staring. I can breathe, settle my thoughts, and come back when I’m more in control.
It helps more than people know.
Being Able to Choose My Spot Helps Me Trust the Room
Some days I want to be around people.
Some days I want to be on the edge of the room.
Some days I want to stand.
Some days I want to sit in a softer place and think.
Having flexible seating and desking options gives me some control in a world where I don’t always have it. And that helps with trust—trusting the environment, trusting the day, trusting myself.
The Genius Bar with lounge seating is one of my favorite spots during group projects. I can join when I’m ready or hang back until I find my place in the conversation.
I’m Still Figuring Things Out, But I’m Moving Forward
I know I come off as quiet. Guarded. Maybe even tough.
But the truth is, I’m trying—really trying—to grow, to understand, to stay steady even when life isn’t.
I show my loyalty in different ways.
I show my determination quietly.
And I show up every day doing the best I can.
When my classroom feels safe, predictable, and flexible, it helps me think clearer, breathe easier, and step into conversations that matter.
Little by little, I’m finding my way—
one project,
one discussion,
one steady moment at a time.
This is what school looks like through my eyes.
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Let’s meet the children of Through Their Eyes—Artcobell's movement to design learning environments...
Let’s meet the children of Through Their Eyes—Artcobell's movement to design learning environments...