“Let’s Get Down to Business” Class

by Nadia Byczko (16)
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Wethersfield High School has been undergoing construction since Fall of 2013 and a lot of progress has been made. The new business rooms on the second floor of the building were completed in December, 2015, over Winter Break.

Mr. Palazzo, Personal Finance and Career Prep teacher, works in one of them. He has been in the same room since he started teaching here six years ago. The room has been changed a few times during his time here, but the newest version of it is his favorite.

Right before the renovation, the room had a dark carpet, and the lighting was dull. Tables lined the walls with computers for each student and there was a conference table in the center. The setup was similar to a computer lab, with students facing the wall while working.

Now, the room has light-colored tiles covering the floor. There is adjustable lighting fixtures and large windows covering one wall. Lighting makes a huge impact and the combination of natural and artificial lighting really enhances the room.

Palazzo said, “I think it’s just a really positive work environment, much more so than it was prior. It wasn’t bad previously but it’s just cleaner, newer and brighter.”

The new tables are now set up in rows and Chromebooks have replaced the computers. The Chromebooks can be easily moved and put to the side, allowing the table to be a bigger work space. The large computers didn’t have that convenience.

The students now face the front during class, allowing them to be more interactive. “It does change things because we don’t have the conference table, but I think for the most part, this is a better setup,” Palazzo said.

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