Happy Valentine’s Day, Norman Hall
Roses are red, violets are blue. Cliches are overdone, but Norman we missed you.
Every Valentine’s Day the cliches and rhymes of our elementary school card exchanges flood back into the forefront of our minds in a haze of seasonal nostalgia.
This Valentine’s Day the cliche “distance makes the heart grow fonder” comes to mind now that education classes have returned home, Norman, and construction is nearly complete. Meagan Gigliotti, a senior in the Elementary ProTeach program, has enjoyed being back after having classes in other buildings across campus for the last few years.
“I absolutely love having my classes back at Norman,” she said. “I was able to have a few prerequisite classes in Norman my freshman year and it feels so good to be back in Norman and see all of the exciting changes.”
For many, the return has meant reconnecting and rediscovering why they once called you home. While new technology has been added, your historic charm, after all at 88 years old you have seen so much, has been preserved. Elementary Education Proteach senior Ashley Butler’s first visit back reminded her that she was where she was meant to be.
Just as we have to reconnect with loved ones after extended time away, it is wonderful to return and rediscover you, Norman. The love we feel for you, and the things we have learned and continue to learn in your classrooms. Along with preserving the historic charm that makes you, well, you, your classrooms have been updated to meet the expectations of student teachers and join a modern era of education.
The updated classes and study spaces are more adaptable for the needs of students with movable seating and additional outlets for students’ use.
EduGators like Hannah Kastensmidt, Elementary Education senior, understand that collaboration in the classroom and access to current and emerging teaching technology is important in preparing them as educators.
“The moveable tables and chairs make collaboration and learning more fun and effective,” she said. “As preservice teachers, we hear all the time how important collaboration is, so I was really excited to see that the stand alone desks are no longer there.”
Outside of class, Norman Hall has become a popular place to study. The added seating and new food options have made the Education Building more popular for connecting with others than before.
According to Butler, the best part of the renovations have been the updated classrooms and added study rooms. She and her friends have started using them to work on assignments during long breaks between classes.
Since coming back to Norman, the students have breathed life back into your halls. The chatter of classes and now the buzz from the newly opened Starbucks float through the building. On February 3 the new dining options at Norman opened to the delight of students.
“I love that we were able to keep some of Norman’s rich history within the building while also accommodating for student needs,” Gigliotti said. “I love the many study spaces and the new Starbucks …”
Prior to the opening of The Market and Starbucks, the closest food options were at Broward Dining across 13th Street. On the opening day of the Norman Hall dining options Kastensmidt shared that she was excited to have a closer option for coffee while she studies.
“I love the Starbucks! It’s so convenient, so that now I don’t have to walk to Marston if I want coffee,” she said.
In addition to the added food there are more seating and tables for students to use away from your classrooms for more casual study sessions.
“I love all the seating places downstairs, too, so I know that I will have enough space to fit a quick study session in between my classes,” she added.
For some EduGators, this is the first year here with you, Norman. The pictures lining the halls of days long ago are all they know of the old you. Those of us who hadn’t seen your hallways before renovation and cannot imagine the days where the ceiling of the Historic Classroom was covered, are falling in love with you for the first time. With all your features, both old and new, fresh for us.
“One thing I love about Norman Hall is being able to call it home. Just as other majors have their halls as homes, now we have Norman Hall,” Butler said.
