The letters of the alphabet line the walls, there is a colorful carpet with safari animals on the floor and picture books are stacked on shelves.

Of course, this is not a typical classroom like you would find on a university campus. But for Liberty University School of Education students, it is the perfect place to hone their skills while preparing for future careers in elementary education.

The new simulation classroom, 1416 DeMoss Hall, opened this fall and offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience leading learning centers, reading groups and classroom activities before embarking on their internship and teaching careers.

Dr. Shawn Ruiz, director of licensure programs for the School of Education, who helped set up the classroom, emphasized its importance in preparing students for work after graduation.

“I think the best experience is to replicate as closely as possible the real experiences that students will have in the classroom,” she said. “Having experience doing rotations in an environment that is very close to what they can expect in the real world is the best training.”

The classroom features typical furnishings, learning aids (objects that help students learn a skill or concept), rugs, desks, and a variety of seating options including typical desk chairs and wobble stools for more active students, as well as new and used learning materials and supplies .

“I like how it feels like a real classroom,” freshman Dierdre Henkel said. “It reminds me a lot of my elementary school.”

“This is a great way to get a better feel for what it’s like to be a teacher in a real classroom without the pressure of having real students,” added freshman Abby Burner.

The space was officially opened on August 23rd at an open house event where faculty and students were able to explore the space and speak with the staff responsible for making it a reality. The Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Don Raleigh, opened the event by highlighting the importance of simulation in training future teachers and professionals.

“The ability to navigate groups and different configurations will help (students) navigate their own classrooms,” Raleigh said. “Teachers can use different skills and tactics in the classroom, and that is a big part of learning.”

Students taking classes in the new simulation room are already benefiting from working in a more immersive and specialized environment.

“It really helps to put yourself in a student’s perspective while learning how to teach students,” said senior Mary Brookes. “It gives a really good insight into how you can convey feelings to students because you feel the same way.”