Teacher Lounges

PrincipalsConnect has renovated seven lounges and increased teacher well-being.

Teachers Love Our Lounge Updates

Teachers work long hours and need a way to recharge, make calls and eat lunch before returning to their classrooms. Many Kansas City schools are over 100 years old, and the staff lounges haven’t been touched in decades. As a result, teachers and staff avoid the often dreary and crowded spaces that become more of a storage room compared to a inspiring, collaborative space.

Our principals asked us to create inviting spaces for their teachers to "chill" during breaks. Enter volunteer Susan Morgenthaler, who has project managed seven updates during the past eight years. Susan listens to teacher needs and works with volunteers and KCPS operations staff to create amazing spaces. The result? Principals tell us morale is up, and teachers no longer eat lunch at their desks. They congregate to relax and collaborate with other teachers.

A diverse group of nine people standing in a school hallway, smiling and giving thumbs-up, with artwork and lockers in the background.

JE Dunn team who renovated Border Star Montessori School’s staff lounge.
You’ll love this video KCPS compiled at the room reveal.

Before & After

Before

An empty break room or cafeteria with tables, chairs, a vending machine, recycling bins, and a woman sitting with a pink bag.

Northeast Middle School

A cozy corner in a room with colorful decor, featuring a fireplace, a bench with striped upholstery, and a round table with two vibrant ottomans, a large potted plant, and purple and green walls decorated with abstract leaf designs.

After

Before

An empty classroom or workshop space with yellow walls, white tiled floor, and ceiling lights. A partially removed wall shows exposed red brick and a large blue bulletin board. There is a small white refrigerator, a tall white cabinet, and a man working near a sink. Various tools and equipment are scattered, including a blue ladder and a wheeled cart.

Border Star Montessori

A cozy, modern kitchen and living area with green walls and large windows, featuring wooden tables, a leather sofa with floral cushions, a black bookshelf with kitchen appliances, and plants, illuminated by a chandelier.

After

Before

A small waiting area with a round white table, four black chairs, two teal armchairs, a beige pillow on one, a white lamp on a side table, a black handbag, an indoor plant, a bulletin board on white brick wall, framed quotes, clock, a copier, and two coffee machines.

Primitivo Garcia Elementary

A conference room with a blue wall decorated with four landscape paintings, a white oval table surrounded by black chairs, and white armchairs with a small side table on the right.

After

Before

A small office or classroom with cluttered furniture including desks, chairs, globes, and stacks of books, illuminated by natural light from windows.

East High

Two women standing in a colorful office with green brick walls, world maps on the wall, and a beige couch with purple and patterned pillows, surrounded by black and beige chairs, small tables, and potted plants.

After

What Our KC Educators are Saying

"The teacher's lounge was completely redone. I love it! It is beautiful, useful and a quiet place for lunch or just to recharge."

— KC Teacher

“Teachers lounge reno - AMAZING. Truly uplifted the whole school community. I feel valued and also it brings a sense of professionalism to the workplace that we did not necessarily have before."

— Teacher at Border Star Montessori

“The renovated teachers' lounge was an amazing gift from Principals Connect and other partners. We are so lucky that we were able to have this at Border Star, and I hope the same project can be done at other schools!”

— KC Teacher

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