EPISODE 203: Portland Perspectives:: Radically Student Centered™ at Learningscapes

November 6, 2024

At this year’s LearningSCAPES conference in Portland, our team at the Better Learning Podcast had the incredible opportunity to sit down with a diverse group of educators, architects, designers, and thought leaders from across the nation. We wanted to get to the heart of what "Radically Student Centered™" means from different perspectives, so we asked all our guests two key questions:

Overview:

  1. What does Radically Student Centered mean to you?
  2. How does that phrase apply to the work you do every day?

The answers we received in this compilation episode were as varied and insightful as the guests themselves, each highlighting unique ways the concept of centering students drives innovation in education.

Meet Our Guest:

Chuck Saylors
Vice President, JM Cope Construction

Rosemary Park
Educational Planner, SMMA

Abby Dacey
Architectural Principal, Mahlum Architects

Andy Cottrill
Associate Principal, Hutteball + Oremus Architecture

Séamus Kelly
Associate Principal, Mithun

Laura Durgerian
Senior Associate, Mithun

Jeffrey Mann
Facilities Planner, Bethel School District

Brian Parker
Vice President / K12 Director, MHTN Architects

Tina McKone
Project Manager, DLR Group

Meredith Watassek
Senior Educational Planner, Stantec Architect

Irene Nigaglioni
President, IN2 Architecture, Inc.

Andy L’Esperance
Director of School Projects, Goode Van Slyke Architecture

Sean O’Donnell
Principal + K12 Practice Area Leader, Perkins Eastman

Wayne Reynaud
Principal / Texas K-12 Practice Leader, HKS, Inc.

Sarah Knize
Associate Principal, Ratcliff

Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri
Global Practice Director for Education, HKS, Inc.

Ken Crawford
Executive Director of Support Services and Athletics, Ogden City School District

Sandi Massey
Chief of Leadership and Professional Development, Houston Independent School District

Watch on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/4-qC53dlXUQ

Takeaways:

  • Schools should be designed with the needs of students in mind.
  • Creating engaging learning environments can reduce boredom and increase student success.
  • Student agency is essential for effective learning.
  • Research can guide the design and use of educational spaces.
  • It’s important to reflect on the ‘why’ behind educational practices.
  • Building a positive school culture is as important as the physical space.
  • Listening to students can provide valuable insights into their learning experiences.
  • Homework often has minimal impact on student learning outcomes.

The Host:

While students may only be 20%-25% of our population today, they are 100% of our future. That is why education is one of the most important investments a country can make and the sole purpose for the existence of the Better Learning Podcast.

The Better Learning Podcast brings on valued guests that talk about ways we can improve education for our kids. Because after all, they are 100% of our future!

Kevin Stoller:
Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kay-Twelve
LinkedIn Profile
Twitter Profile

If you are interested in being on the show or know someone who would be a great guest, please visit the Better Learning Podcast website.

Our Partners:

Who made this episode possible?
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) – https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders’ Organization – https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation – https://secondclassfoundation.org/

Be a Guest on the Better Learning Podcast!

Do you have a favorite school-related movie that left a lasting impact? Join us as a guest on the Better Learning Podcast, where we dive into iconic films, break down memorable moments, and hand out fun awards—all while connecting them to real-world education.

From standout teachers to unforgettable one-liners, we’ll explore how these movies reflect (or totally exaggerate!) school life. Plus, you’ll get to share your own insights and experiences in education.

Better Learning Podcast Request Form

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 2

Name*

About the podcast

The Better Learning Podcast combines education and entertainment in a fresh, engaging format where guests share their favorite school-related movies. Host Kevin Stoller leads dynamic conversations, exploring memorable scenes, iconic characters, and timeless lessons through award-style categories like “The John Keating Award” for standout teachers and “Realistic or Ridiculous?” to dissect school life portrayals.

With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and impact of these films while sparking nostalgia and insights. Whether you’re an educator, student, or movie buff, join us to relive the movies that shaped how we see school life, and share your favorites.