'Metal Lords' with Peter Sharma and Kevin Stoller

Sometimes the best lessons don’t come from textbooks or classrooms... they come from the stories we see on screen. In Metal Lords, a coming-of-age Netflix film, two high school outsiders form a heavy metal band in hopes of competing in the “Battle of the Bands.” What starts as a quest to play loud music quickly turns into a journey of self-discovery, belonging, and resilience.

So how does a movie about teens rocking out connect to education? At its core, Metal Lords highlights what we talk about so often on the Better Learning Podcast: that schools are not just about content, but about creating spaces where students can express themselves, collaborate, and feel valued. The characters in the film struggle with identity, acceptance, and confidence — the same challenges many of our students face every day. When schools provide flexible environments and opportunities for students to pursue their passions, they’re not just teaching academics, they’re helping students discover their voice.

In our podcast, we often ask school leaders, educators, and designers: What should students feel when they walk into a learning space? Metal Lords gives us one answer: students should feel like they belong. Whether through music, art, or academics, the best school experiences help students connect with something bigger than themselves.

And maybe that’s the real message for all of us in education: sometimes the path to “better learning” starts when we let students turn up the volume on who they really are.

 

Takeaways:

• Connection and acceptance are critical for motivation. When students feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to take risks and fully engage in learning.
• The power of teamwork in the movie mirrors what happens in classrooms: collaborative projects help students develop creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Just as the concert venues and rehearsal spaces impact the band’s journey, school design and classroom setup can support or hinder student engagement and creativity—a core idea we explore on the Better Learning Podcast.

 

About Peter Sharma:

Peter Sharma is a senior sustainability consultant and Carbon Lead for Stantec’s Education sector, where he champions holistic sustainability, embodied carbon reduction, and health and wellbeing in learning environments. With over a decade of experience in the building industry —including numerous K-12 projects—Peter brings a deep understanding of how sustainable design can shape healthier, more inspiring spaces for students and educators alike.

Peter is driven by a deep commitment to leaving behind a healthier, more resilient world for his daughter and future generations. He believes that thoughtful design must serve both people and the planet, and that true sustainability is built through collaboration—creating learning environments that uplift communities, foster connection, and stand the test of time.

A recognized leader in the building industry, he was honored with the Emerging Green Leader award by the Alberta chapter of Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) in 2018 for his commitment to advocating, educating, and practicing green buildings. Peter joins the podcast to explore how sustainability and wellbeing aren’t just about buildings—they’re about the people inside them, and the bold ideas that can rock the system.

 

Learn More About Peter Sharma:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateekat/

 

 

Learn More About Stantec:

Website: https://www.stantec.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/stantec

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StantecInc

Twitter: https://x.com/Stantec

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

 

 

Connect with host, Kevin Stoller:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/

 

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/

 

 

Episode 246 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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