Whether students should be able to listen to music in school has become widespread issue as phones are not allowed to be visually present during class time at Sandpoint High School.

Some teachers believe that listening to music during personal work class time is distracting to students, whereas others teachers allow it because they think it does not create a disruption when students are doing their work out of time when the teacher is actively teaching.

Sandpoint High School teachers Pamela Webb and Heather Guthrie shared their opinion on the value of music in the learning environment and how they feel about letting their students listen to music.

“My concern is creating an environment where we’re a community and as soon as people put in earbuds they’re essentially saying I’m no longer part of the community,” said Webb.

Listening to music while doing schoolwork has been proven to be beneficial to students in many ways. It is said that it boosts memory, concentration and motivation in students minds. Students have found it helpful for themselves to stay on task with their work.

A few teachers at Sandpoint High school have allowed their students to listen to their personal music during certain class times, while some teachers play music for the whole class. Teachers find it helps their students focus on their work, especially when the music is a certain genre such as classical.

“These kids want to learn and respect me. They want to do their art, so music is not an issue,” Guthrie said about her AP art class.