This episode features conversations recorded at the A4LE Southern Regional Conference in Austin, Texas, hosted by Dr. Brian McCraw and Nick Marmolejo. Guests dig into themes like community-driven design processes, trauma-informed design, furniture and flexible learning spaces, the overuse of "learning stairs," strong architect-educator partnerships, and what truly makes a school thrive versus merely function.

Our guests, in order of appearance:

Jody Sergi, AIA, LEED AP:

Kirksey Architecture

Partner and Director, PK-12 Practice

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-sergi-aia-leed-ap-0005a53/

Cody Boyd, AIA:

PBK

Senior Principal

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-boyd-aia-98368a35/

Olivia Graf:

Architecture for Education

Partner / Design Principal

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-graf-7a0a8065/

Katie Becker:

JLG Architects

Architect and K12 Planner

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebecker1/

Gary Armbruster, FAIA, ALEP:

MA+ Architecture, L.L.C.

Owner

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-armbruster-aia-alep/

Easy Foster, RTSBA, FAIC, CPC, LEED AP:

Conroe Independent School District

Executive Director Planning & Construction

https://www.linkedin.com/in/easyfoster/

Brad Hunt:

JLG Architects

K–12 Strategy & Partnerships

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-hunt-b14264286/

Sloan McLain:

Austin Independent School District

Administrative Supervisor of Learning Space Integration

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sloan-mclain-25a26b21/

Episode 341 of the Better Learning Podcast

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/

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