Bringing Creativity and Engagement to Pebblebrook High

Pebblebrook High School, home of the Falcons, in Mableton, Georgia, has used the VariQuest® Learning Suite to refresh its classrooms, hallways, and Media Center. With a focus on creativity and visually engaging spaces, the school has brought new energy to learning for students and staff together. Despite being a Title I school, Pebblebrook was able to invest in the VariQuest Learning Suite through its state media budget.

Today, the Media Center, with the support of Media Center Paraprofessional Ms. Mangum, uses tools such as the VariQuest Design Center, Cutout Maker, Perfecta® Printer, Motiva®, and Cold Laminator to promote schoolwide communication, create engaging learning environments, and enhance student experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Bringing School Culture to Life

Across Pebblebrook High, the VariQuest tools have played a major role in shaping the school’s look and feel throughout the building. Ms. Mangum collaborates closely with teachers to design creative bulletin boards and hallway displays that are both informative and visually appealing. A recent example of this was visible during the retirement celebration of a beloved principal. Each hallway featured a colorful, themed display such as Route 66, New York City, and Bob the Builder, all created using the VariQuest tools. These displays helped transform the school into a warm, vibrant tribute to the principal’s legacy, bringing everyone together and boosting school pride.

Inside the Media Center, students enjoy themed displays and “maker space” activity areas that change throughout the year. These stations may include puzzles, Jenga, coloring sheets, chess, word finds, customized signage, game boards, and more, all made with the VariQuest Learning Suite. These displays have become something students genuinely look forward to, excited about what new themes and activities will pop up next.

Making Learning Interactive & Student-Focused 

The VariQuest Learning Suite has also improved instruction by allowing Pebblebrook to create learning experiences that go beyond decoration and help to actively engage students. For example, during Black History Month, Ms. Mangum created hallway displays of historic figures featuring posters with scannable QR codes that students could access to learn more. This encourages students to explore history independently and interact with their school environment in a meaningful way.

Student interest has even sparked new programs. Chess has grown into a major hobby for students, and with the use of their Perfecta®, the Media Center was able to quickly create poster-sized chess boards along with large game pieces. This quickly led to the formation of a new school chess club, showing how the right tools can help turn student interests into full programs. As Ms. Mangum shared, “Sometimes they just like to see what we create.” That simple curiosity pulls students in, encouraging them to explore and get involved while making the learning environment more open and exciting.

The VariQuest Design Center has also become a valuable tool for Pebblebrook’s special education classrooms. Teachers rely on differentiated learning materials, visual schedules, and classroom supports that help guide students through daily activities. With the Design Center, teachers can choose from our premade special education templates found in our Engage Every Learner® Content or quickly create their own customized materials. Using the Cold Laminator, the Media Center ensures these materials are durable, reusable, and tailored for each class.

Saving Time & Inspiring Creativity

One of the greatest transformations at Pebblebrook has been the increase in staff engagement around designing their spaces. When Ms. Mangum first joined the school seven years ago, most requests involved basic lamination. Now, teachers come to the Media Center seeking creative posters, cutout lettering, displays, and full themes for their classrooms. This change happened around the same time the district updated its buildings and learning spaces. As the environment became more inspiring, staff were naturally motivated to refresh their own classrooms and the VariQuest tools made it easy for them to do just that.

As Ms. Mangum describes, “Once the county invested in us, we started investing in us as well.” With VariQuest, teachers no longer have to choose between spending time designing or spending time teaching. Displays and materials can be created quickly, professionally, and in a way that enhances learning, engages students, and strengthens school culture.

Student Involvement & Leadership

At Pebblebrook, student aides in the Media Center are the ones who typically operate the VariQuest tools, creating posters, cutout letters, and laminated projects based on requests from teachers. While most students don’t use the machines themselves, those with a specific idea can work directly with staff to bring their vision to life. This way, students get to use their own creative ideas, while also allowing the Media Center to keep everything running smoothly and with high quality. These collaborations allow students to help shape their school environment for events like homecoming and to support their student government. In the process, students gain a sense of ownership and pride in the projects they help design.

Conclusion

Pebblebrook High School shows how visual learning can transform a school’s culture, creativity, and student engagement. From eye-catching displays to interactive educational bulletin boards, the VariQuest tools have helped turn the Media Center into the creative heart of the school, making learning more welcoming and exciting. As Ms. Mangum shared, “Kids love the interactive displays, and they love seeing what we create next.” With the VariQuest Learning Suite, Pebblebrook continues to create a school environment that sparks curiosity, inspires pride, and supports every learner.