Open or closed? The classroom door debate

Once upon a time, nearly every teacher worked behind a closed classroom door. This was not merely a matter of tradition, but a deliberate choice rooted in a desire for privacy and control.

The closed door represented a protective bubble – a place where teachers could work undisturbed and without any interruptions.

Many teachers deliberately shut their classroom doors (some even went as far as to place posters on the glass panels) in an effort to guard their teaching methods and escape the prying eyes of senior leaders and fellow colleagues.

In these moments, the classroom was not only a clear boundary between professional practice and the “busyness” of the school environment, but also a safe place where innovative teaching strategies could be explored without fear of being prematurely judged by colleagues and senior staff.