The mirrors are meant to open up the light of the room.

The small waterfall and CD player in the corner provide soothing acoustics throughout the space.

Paintings decorate Mr. Paulsen's wall

Teacher's Cribs-Mr. Paulsen

The Underrated DHS Oasis

By Marguerite Morgan- 11/10
More by Marguerite Morgan

It is a Wednesday afternoon, the height of the school week, and stress is seeping through the hallways of DHS leaving an undeniable stench. Students and teachers race amidst the chaos as they take tests, attend meetings, grade papers, and make it to their next classes before the bell. Through all of the commotion, Mr. Paulsen’s office in the English Department remains a beacon of inner peace and quiet serenity.

Since the new school opened, Mr. Paulsen has taken up residence in the small space in the corner of the English department offices. Upon taking one’s first steps through the average DHS wooden door, one feels like they are in a completely different world. Beautiful, framed paintings coat the walls–three of which are covered with a grass cloth wallpaper. “I originally wanted to paint this room the dark taupe color found around the windows of the school and the green found in the guidance department.” Unfortunately the administration refused, and Mr. Paulsen decided his grass cloth wallpaper would do. Bookshelves line two of the walls; they not only hold books of all sizes and colors, but also hold a small water fountain that leaves the faint sound of a trickling brook.

The room features two large mirrors that “reflect light and bring in openness.” Since the office lacks windows, the mirrors make the space “feel a little less like a closed in closet.” Another problem with the lack of windows is that the plants located around the office do not get any sunlight. To solve this issue, Mr. Paulsen “gives them an outing to Mr. Sorensen’s desk by the window once a week.” Other than the quotidian photograph of family and friends on one’s desk, Mr. Paulsen’s office features framed oil paintings–one of a street scene and one of a Mediterranean church, to further add to the tranquil atmosphere.

How does he take care of his peaceful setting? Similar to most others, everyday Mr. Paulsen begins his mornings with a routine. However, instead of waking up late, racing to school, and devouring a cup of coffee like most DHS students and teachers, Mr. Paulsen walks into his office every morning, sprays a few “sprits of lavender,” turns on his lamps to avoid the harsh fluorescent lighting, and plays his background CD’s of nature sounds and soft violins. From this point, he is ready to begin his day on the right foot, keeping in mind that he can count on his office to provide him with the serenity that most high schools lack.

After meticulously decorating his office, bringing in furniture and mementos from home, and tacking up wallpaper, Mr. Paulsen has succeeded in his vision: a space that anyone can use to find quiet and peace. “In a school that is full of so much hectic activity and stress, I wanted the English office to be some place a bit calmer that would be open to the entire department.”
Through the ups and downs of high school life for the typical faculty member or student, Mr. Paulsen’s office remains an escape from the pressure-packed environment and a reminder to always see the bigger picture.