What?s in Your Space?: 5 Steps for Better School and Classroom Design

Transformed learning spaces begin with transformed thought 

For two decades, educators have been told to incorporate skills for the global economy, adapt to diverse learning styles, and employ technology. This requires changing our thinking spaces and our physical spaces. How can or should they change to keep pace with and reflect 21st Century teaching models? 

In What’s in Your Space?, the group behind one of America’s most recognized school redesign projects walks you through the process of designing both "thinking" and "learning" spaces to accommodate today’s rigorous learning models. Throughout this book, educators will

• Reflect upon their craft and role in 21st Century education
• Understand the nuances of teaching Generation Z
• Discover design principles to help establish tech-embedded learning environments
• Collaborate with other educators to craft a scalable plan for redesigning learning spaces

As we shift our thinking, it follows that the spaces in which we work and learn will also be transformed. Discover how to do it well.

"We, as educators, can’t shift fast enough to keep up with the needs of today’s learners, but this book is a great leap in the right direction of doing so!"
Brooke Menduni, Assistant Principal 
Dublin City Schools

"There is something so unique about the framework/approach/lens of the actual physical change, so closely associated with the philosophical and pedagogical changes that can make this transformation real."
Carol Spencer, Director of Curriculum
Addison Northwest Supervisory Union

Dwight Carter is a nationally recognized school leader from Central OH. Because of his collaborative and innovative leadership, in 2010, he was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Educator Hall of Fame. He was also named a 2013 National Association of Secondary School Principals Digital Principal of the Year, the 2014 Academy of Arts and Science Education High School Principal of the Year, and the 2015 Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators Principal of the Year. He has served as principal at Gahanna Lincoln High School, New Albany High School and has been a leadership coach and consultant. Mr. Carter has frequently been a guest speaker in schools, universities, and at local, state, and national conferences that deal with Generations Z and Alpha, technology integration, staff development, school culture, and other 21st Century education topics. He has authored numerous blogs and has written on behalf of NASSP. He has also been a high school social studies teacher, a high school assistant principal, and a middle school principal during his twenty-seven career. He is currently an Assistant Director at Eastland Career Center in Groveport, OH. 

Mark White is a school leadership and training consultant. Previously, he was the director of education and outreach at Mindset Digital and academic principal in the International Department of the Beijing National Day School in Beijing, China. As the superintendent of the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools in Gahanna, Ohio, he played a key role in the design of Clark Hall and the implementation of global skills and technology into its curriculum. During his tenure as superintendent, the district earned the state′s highest academic ranking, opened Clark Hall, and achieved financial stability. Mr. White has been a consultant to both the College Board and the ACT and has served on two national education reform committees. He has frequently been a guest speaker at schools and universities and at local, state, and national conferences. Prior to being a superintendent, Mr. White was a band director, high school English teacher and department head, high school assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent.