How School Design is Addressing Pandemic-Driven Learning Loss

Better Learning Podcast

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lasting impact on students, with many still grappling with significant learning losses and declining enrollment. As schools nationwide strive to help students recover, district leaders are increasingly turning to innovative school design to boost academic performance and foster student success.

In a recent episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we explored this critical topic with a special focus on how the physical environment can play a pivotal role in reversing these trends. One of the highlights of the conversation was the potential to bring on Melissa Turnbaugh as a guest in an upcoming episode. Melissa is the Partner for National Education and Innovation at PBK, the nation’s largest K-12 architectural firm, with more than 16 years of expertise in the planning, design, and management of educational facilities across the country.

PBK’s impressive track record, with over 42 years of experience and 18,000 completed projects, positions Melissa as a leading voice in the industry. She brings a wealth of knowledge on how thoughtful school design can be leveraged to address the challenges schools are currently facing, including declining enrollment trends and the need for enhanced learning environments.

Takeaways:

1. School design is increasingly being used as a tool to boost academic performance and student success.

2. With 42 years of experience and 18,000 projects, PBK is at the forefront of addressing national educational challenges through innovative design.

3. Students continue to struggle with learning loss and declining enrollment post-pandemic.

Melissa brings more than 17 years of specialized expertise in the planning, design, and management of educational facilities for both public and private institutions. She is driven by a belief that all students should have equitable access to innovative indoor and outdoor learning environments.

With her role as the National Education and Innovation Leader, Melissa serves as a resource and advocate for research-based, student-centered, and purpose-driven learning environments. In her career she has worked on a variety of projects ranging from the youngest learners in early childcare centers to advanced academics in career and technical high schools all while building meaningful, long-term relationships with clients.

Follow on Melissa Turnbaugh on Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-turnbaugh-59b38835

Website: https://pbk.com/

Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.

Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/.

For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/

Episode 192 of the Better Learning Podcast

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.

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/