'Stand and Deliver' with Don Baus, Victoria Morlan, and Carla Cummins

In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Carla Cummins is joined by co-host Victoria Morlan as well as architect and education advocate Don Baus for a powerful conversation around the 1988 film Stand and Deliver. With decades of combined experience in designing and supporting student-centered environments, the two explore how the true story of Jaime Escalante continues to challenge and inspire today’s educators, designers, and school leaders.

Set in a struggling East L.A. high school, Stand and Deliver follows math teacher Jaime Escalante as he empowers his students to defy expectations and succeed in AP Calculus—despite systemic barriers and cultural doubt. Victoria and Don dig into the film’s themes of belief, rigor, and resilience, connecting them to their own work helping schools design spaces where students feel seen, capable, and empowered to succeed.

Don, Charleston Office President for architecture firm Little and a longtime champion of inspiring learning environments, brings a unique design perspective to the discussion. Together, he and Victoria reflect on what it truly means to curate spaces and systems that allow every student to rise—and the ongoing responsibility educators and designers have to ensure equity, access, and inspiration are built into every learning experience.

 

Takeaways:

• Jaime Escalante's unwavering belief in his students’ potential shows how a single educator's confidence can transform lives and outcomes.
• When we set the bar high and provide support, students often exceed what others believed possible.
• Recognizing and valuing diverse backgrounds helps educators design learning experiences that truly resonate.
• Thoughtful school design - both physical and emotional - can inspire students and help them thrive.

 

About Don Baus:

As past president of AIA Charleston, Don is deeply rooted in South Carolina and champions the delivery of Little’s promise to elevate client performance while advancing the firm’s reputation in thought leadership, innovation and breakthrough ideas throughout the state.

Don has more than 26 years of industry experience on regional projects including K-12 education, higher education, civic, healthcare and mixed-use. He has successfully led teams through all facets of project development from conceptual design through construction, always with a focus on client success and design excellence.

 

Learn More About Don Baus, AIA, LEED AP:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-baus-22b445a/

 

Learn More About Little Diversified Architectural Consulting:

Website: https://www.littleonline.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-diversified-architectural-consulting/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleonline_

 

 

 

About Victoria Brooks Morlan, CPSI, ECLPS:

Victoria Brooks Morlan came to Kay-Twelve with 25 years of experience in the education space. She has worked with schools and architects throughout the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia, helping to develop innovative learning environments for students of all ages.

A teacher by education, Victoria has a unique ability for connecting with her clients while seeking to provide them with a holistic solution to foster innovative, collaborative and pedagogy-driven learning environments.

 

Learn More About Victoria Brooks Morlan, CPSI, ECLPS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-morlan-cpsi-eclps-54787456/

 

Learn More About Kay-Twelve:

Website: https://kay-twelve.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kay-twelve-com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kay_twelve/

 

 

 

Connect with episode host, Carla Cummins:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/

 

 

Episode 229 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/

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