Inside the Sensory Room at Herrin Elementary, calm has a pulse of its own. Soft lights, gentle textures, and the quiet hum of empathy define this space — one created not for punishment, but for restoration.

The idea began as a shared vision among teachers and specialists who wanted something better than a timeout corner. “We wanted a space where kids could learn to self-regulate,” explains Emily Ward, who teaches a class with a high ratio of students on the autism spectrum. “It’s not about discipline — it’s about helping them understand what they’re feeling and how to manage it.”

Today, the Sensory Room serves students from across the elementary campus through a partnership between Herrin Schools and the Williamson County Education Service (WCES), the region’s special education cooperative. The team includes Ward, school psychologist Jamie Cravens, occupational therapist Faith Basolo, and teacher Zoe Zimbro, each bringing a unique skill set and deep compassion to their work.

“The kids trust all of us,” says Zimbro. “They know we’ll listen. Sometimes they just need a few quiet minutes to reset.”

The space itself appears part playground, part sanctuary. There are swings, soft mats, sensory items, and weighted blankets; places to move, draw, or just breathe. “Every child regulates differently,” says Cravens. “Some need motion; others need stillness. Our job is to help them find what works.”

Basolo says the room has been especially meaningful for Ashlynn Rea, a student with limited vision. “It gives her a safe place to explore movement away from crowds,” she wrote in a note after their session. “It helps her build body awareness and confidence on her own terms.”

Oliver Lewis, a fourth grader with a wide grin, calls it “the best room in the school.” He uses it when his emotions run high. “If I’m mad or frustrated, I can come here and calm down,” he says. “It helps me remember that people care.”

Cravens notes that the impact extends beyond the students. “We’ve all changed,” she says. “Having this space has changed the entire school for the staff & students alike.  The teachers here show tremendous patience & compassion for their students all day in their classrooms, yet this room provides a safe haven for students to regulate big emotions, in a welcoming, private space, so that learning can continue for others uninterrupted.”

The sensory room has even inspired change district-wide; a smaller version was recently added at Herrin Junior High. “That’s what happens when something works,” Ward says. “It spreads.”

Wilcoxen’s contract with his teachers sums up what the room stands for: when he feels upset, he agrees to come here instead of running or hiding. “It helps me think,” he says simply.

Oliver looks around the softly lit space — at the swings, the calm faces, the teachers who believe in him — he repeats his quiet refrain:

“Every time I come here, I feel like I’m home.”

In Herrin, that’s exactly the point.