Teacher in Georgia Establishes “Gas Station” in Classroom for Students

A second-grade teacher in Atlanta, Candy Sydney-Browning, has taken a unique approach to handling natural bodily functions in her classroom. She has designated a corner as the “gas station,” playfully renaming it the “gusty winds area” where students can take a break to pass gas. Alongside this area, she keeps air fresheners handy.

Sydney-Browning, 36, finds this innovation has been a success for her teaching environment. “I have a very weak stomach, so I cannot take it,” she shared. This prompted her to create a space where students could quietly excuse themselves to deal with their needs without disrupting the class. “You just get up, go over there, do your business, come back, and that’s just it,” she explained.

Her intention behind the gas station is to normalize a natural bodily function and prevent students from losing valuable class time. After posting a TikTok video showcasing the corner and its function, the concept has gone viral, attracting a lot of attention online. In the video, she illustrates the area marked with a yellow sign, explaining its purpose.

“While I’m teaching, no one has to ask,” she said, adding that this setup allows students to maintain focus without interruptions. “The student inside the classroom, they don’t lose any instruction,” she continued. “They can continue to learn. It’s a win-win situation.”

Last year, one of her students who had digestive issues was the first to use the station, and while a few classmates may have smiled, none laughed or mocked him. “It just became a norm,” she remarked, noting that reactions to the corner have since diminished to the point where she sometimes forgets about it.

However, the concept has sparked a lively discussion on TikTok, with users split between support and skepticism. Some praised the initiative as a brilliant way to normalize bodily functions, while others expressed disbelief. “I’d be so embarrassed with the whole class knowing I’m getting up to go fart,” one user commented, while another questioned how the rest of the class could focus while someone was excusing themselves.