Transom window above room 329 at Bay View High School.
At Bay View High School in Milwaukee, something delightful has taken over the transom windows above classroom doors. What started as a simple nod to literature by English teacher Paul Bitzan has blossomed into a full-fledged movement of creativity and whimsy, capturing the spirit of both students and staff alike.
A transom window, typically positioned above a door, was historically used to allow light and air to flow between rooms before modern ventilation systems. In a school like Bay View High, built around the turn of the century, these windows were a staple of early 20th-century architecture, bringing brightness into hallways and offering a sense of openness in an era before air conditioning. While their original function is outdated, they have found a new purpose in the hands of the teachers of Bay View High.
It all began when Mr. Bitzan adorned his transom with a skull and a raven while teaching “The Raven.” His decoration caught the attention of fellow staff members, igniting a spark of inspiration. Soon after, special education teacher Ms. Nicole Kitchen contributed her own take with a thrifted kitchen mixer and a cooking Barbie, adding a touch of humor and domestic charm to the growing trend.
From there, the creative explosion continued. Mrs. Lauren Tobin, drawing from Mr. Bullock’s appreciation for the poetry of Emily Dickinson, added birds and snowflakes above Mr. Bullock’s door as a nod to the symbolism in her works. The thematic transoms spread like wildfire, and before long, Ms. Tobin added her personal touch to her archaic space—an intricate shadow box library filled with tiny removable cardboard books, accented with vine window clings. The effect was both literary and enchanting.
Not to be outdone, Ms. Michelle Hall brought an entirely different energy to her transom, embracing the nostalgia of the 1980s. Her window shimmered with gold tinsel and featured a collection of My Little Ponies, including one bearing a small photograph of her riding it. The playful, retro display brought smiles to students and teachers alike, proving that transom décor could be widely entertaining.
The phenomenon took on a life of its own when Mrs. Werve arrived one morning to find her transom transformed into a tennis-themed display, complete with a motivational tennis ball reading, “You have to believe in yourself. That’s the secret of success.” The messages reinforced the sense of camaraderie and joy that the transom tradition had fostered.
What started as a simple classroom decoration has now become a hallmark of Bay View High School, a testament to the creativity, humor, and community spirit of its faculty. In transforming their once-overlooked architectural details, the teachers at Bay View High have done more than brighten their classrooms—they’ve created an atmosphere of unexpected delight that makes walking the halls, an adventure.