Learning by Region at A4LE Georgia
Better Learning Podcast
In this episode, host Katie Jubenville brings listeners conversations from the A4LE Georgia Chapter Conference on Jekyll Island. Guests explore what "Radically Student Centered™" design truly means, the everyday details students notice that adults overlook, partnerships between design firms and educators, and creative problem-solving during construction — plus some fun local picks for how they'd spend a day on Jekyll Island. Our guests, in order of appearnace: Namrata Dani, AIA: Corgan Architect Jill Hackett: Turner & Townsend Heery Director Jesse Frasier: Turner & Townsend Heery...
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Learning by Region at A4LE Northeast
Better Learning Podcast
This episode comes from the A4LE Northeast Regional Conference in Rochester, New York, hosted by Jessica Westerduin. Guests discuss indicators of a successful school building, what it would mean to walk into their designs 20 years from now, the value of stakeholder collaboration, the role of flexible furniture and adaptability, and the challenges school leaders face guiding their communities through transitions and long-term visioning. Our special guests, in order of appearance: Lemuer Perez M.A. ED.: University Academy Charter High School Educational Consultant Matthew Gallerani, AIA:...
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Learning by Region at A4LE Midwest Great Lakes
Better Learning Podcast
This episode, hosted by Matt Rogers and Katie Jubenville, features conversations from the A4LE Midwest Great Lakes Regional Conference in St. Louis. Guests compare favorite landmarks to the Gateway Arch, then dig into what "radically student-centered" design means, sharing stories about maximizing impact beyond simple building replacement, engaging students and communities in the design process, and what separates schools that merely function from those that truly transform their communities. Our guests, in order of appearance: Josh Chism, PE, CEM: Capital AE President Nicole Esser Dryden:...
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Learning by Region at A4LE Southern
Better Learning Podcast
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 Cody Boyd, AIA: PBK Senior Principal Olivia Graf:...
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Learning by Region at A4LE Southeast
Better Learning Podcast
This episode, hosted by Katie Jubenville, takes listeners on the road to the A4LE Southeast Regional Conference, featuring conversations with architects, educators, and facility planners about creating better learning environments. Guests discuss what it means to be "radically student-centered," the messages school buildings send to students and teachers, exciting trends in school design, and how to elevate teacher practice and gauge whether a school is thriving. Our guests, in order of appearance: Paulette Myers: McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture Architect Matthew Pierzchala, AIA, NCARB,...
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AI, Agency & the Future of Education with Dr. Sabba Quidwai
Better Learning Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO of Designing Schools, joins the Better Learning Podcast to explore how educators, students, and communities can navigate AI with hope instead of fear. Drawing on her own path from history teacher to Apple to education consultant, she shares how districts like Roseville Joint Union High School District are bringing students, staff, and community members together to co-design AI-era graduate profiles — and why courageous leadership, shared culture, and storytelling matter more than any specific technology. Takeaways: Hope is a teachable skill, not just...
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Designing Schools Kids Are Proud Of with Amanda Vottis
Better Learning Podcast
In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Jessica Westerduin talks with Amanda Vottis, an architectural designer at Mosaic Architects with over 12 years of experience in K-12 educational design. Amanda shares her winding path into school architecture, her philosophy of "radically student-centered" design, and a deep dive into the multi-year Saratoga Springs School District project — a "legacy" renovation initiative built on an educational plan shaped by community input, teacher feedback, and student voice. The conversation explores how thoughtful design (learning stairs, breakout...
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Reimagining School Operations with Dr. Heather Sánchez
Better Learning Podcast
In this episode, Jeff Kubiak sits down with Dr. Heather Sánchez, Deputy Superintendent of the Bellevue School District in Washington, to explore what it looks like to lead a large public school district from both the instructional and operational sides of the house. Drawing on 26 years in education — from a border-town middle school teacher in New Mexico to overseeing HR, finance, facilities, transportation, and more — Dr. Sánchez shares how Bellevue is centering community voice in everything from strategic planning to building design, and why the most transformative ideas often start...
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Lessons From 27 Years of Building Better Schools with Larry Levato
Better Learning Podcast
Mark Barga talks with Larry Levato, veteran educational architect at Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, about what it really takes to design schools that serve students, teachers, and communities alike — and why the process matters as much as the product. Takeaways: Design for teachers too. Educators spend more time in school buildings than students. Great design treats teaching as a craft that deserves a professional environment. Listen before you design. Client relationships and deep listening are the foundation of every successful project — not design vision alone. Slow down to...
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Building a Middle School that Supports Student Learning with James Liebman
Better Learning Podcast
In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Jessica Westerduin sits down with James Liebman, senior associate at HMFH Architects, to explore how thoughtful school design can elevate student wellbeing, foster belonging, and support great teaching. Drawing on 30 years in architecture — from higher education to K–12 — James shares how the physical environment either supports or hinders learning, and how architects can create spaces that truly center students. Using the Maria Weston Chapman Middle School in Weymouth, Massachusetts as a case study, James walks through the design...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Jessica Westerduin talks with Amanda Vottis, an architectural designer at Mosaic Architects with over 12 years of experience in K-12 educational design. Amanda shares her winding path into school architecture, her philosophy of "radically student-centered" design, and a deep dive into the multi-year Saratoga Springs School District project — a "legacy" renovation initiative built on an educational plan shaped by community input, teacher feedback, and student voice. The conversation explores how thoughtful design (learning stairs, breakout spaces, informal student areas) can transform how kids feel about school, and why understanding student behavior and needs matters more than just filling classroom walls.
Takeaways:
- Design starts with people, not walls. Instead of asking "what does this classroom need," Amanda asks "what do your students need to be successful" — shifting conversations from storage and outlets to real student experience.
- Community alignment sustains long-term projects. Saratoga Springs' educational plan, built through summits, surveys, and teacher/student input, has guided nearly a decade of phased renovations back to a shared vision.
- Dream big before scaling back. Exposing districts to ambitious ideas (like learning stairs and dedicated informal spaces) helps them aim higher instead of defaulting to "practical" but uninspired designs.
- Every student learns differently — design should reflect that. Just as teachers and coaches adapt to different learning styles, school spaces need variety to support how each student thrives.
- Ownership and pride change student behavior. When students feel a space belongs to them, they take care of it and use it — evidenced by the pride shown in Saratoga's new fitness center and cafeteria.
About Amanda Vottis:
Amanda is an Architectural Designer and Accredited Learning Environment Planner with Mosaic Associates Architects. With over a decade of experience, Amanda specializes in designing innovative learning environments for K-12 public schools, colleges, and universities in New York. Collaborating with clients from initial project conception through completion of construction, Amanda enjoys helping clients design projects that align with their unique educational goals and community needs.
Amanda volunteers for the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) New York Chapter Board, serving as past President, and co-captain for Mosaic’s CANstruction team.
Episode 338 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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