An elementary school teacher in Atlanta has found a unique way to keep her students in class while handling a natural body function.
Candy Sydney-Browning, a 36-year-old second-grade teacher, built a dedicated corner in her classroom where children can step away to pass gas. The spot features air freshener sprays and a yellow sign warning visitors that they are entering a “gusty winds area.”
Sydney-Browning posted a video on TikTok under the handle @chokola___ to show off the setup, which she calls the “gas station.” The idea began last year when she taught first grade. After moving up to teach second grade with the same group of students, her class asked if the special spot would return for the new school year.
@chokola___ Most of you know I taught 1st grade last year and I had a “gas station” in my classroom. This year I looped up with my first graders to teach second grade. They’ve asked me the million dollar question! 😂 Say less kids! The “gusty winds area” sign has made a comeback. @Febreze ♬ original sound – Candy Instead of sending students out into the hallway, the setup allows children to handle their needs without asking for permission or disrupting the lesson.
“If they have to relieve themselves, they will just simply get up off of the rug, and they will walk back to that corner right there where you see that little yellow sign. And of course, we have everything they need over here,” Sydney-Browning said in her video while pointing to the sprays.
The goal of the station is to prevent lost learning time and teach students personal maturity.
“That’s the station. It’s pretty simple. They just come stand here, and what I love about this is, while I’m teaching, no one has to ask. I don’t have to stop teaching in order to say, yes, you can go. No, just get up… go excuse yourself—and I can continue teaching,” she said.
She noted that leaving the room causes children to miss out on important parts of the lesson.
“And then with the student inside the classroom, they don’t lose any instruction. They can continue to learn. It’s a win-win situation. Why wouldn’t you? You know, what’s the point? What’s the point of me making them step out when they can continue to learn? When you step out of the classroom, you lose things,” the teacher said.
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Teaching Maturity in the Classroom
Sydney-Browning explained that the corner provides a safe space away from other kids while keeping the focus on schoolwork.
“So I would just rather my students continue to learn and we be mature about it, and me teach my students to be mature about relieving yourselves appropriately and not amongst others, and still getting the education that you need and deserve,” she added.
The teacher also poked fun at the amount of air freshener required to keep the room smelling fresh, lightheartedly calling on brand manufacturers to support her classroom setup.
“I go through these, so I’m kind of asking, Febreze, if you ever wanna sponsor somebody, sponsor me, please,” Sydney-Browning said. “This is my favorite scent right here cause I’m gonna need it. Thank you kindly. Bye.”
