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Better Learning PodcastAuthor: Kay-Twelve
The Better Learning Podcast combines education and entertainment in a fresh, engaging format where guests share their favorite school-related movies. Host Kevin Stoller leads dynamic conversations, exploring memorable scenes, iconic characters, and timeless lessons through award-style categories like "The John Keating Award" for standout teachers and "Realistic or Ridiculous?" to dissect school life portrayals. With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and impact of these films while sparking nostalgia and insights. Whether you're an educator, student, or movie buff, join us to relive the movies that shaped how we see school life, and share your favorites at betterlearningpodcast.com. The Better Learning Podcast is hosted by Kevin Stoller, CEO of Kay-Twelve and author of Creating Better Learning Environments. The podcast is also associated with other organizations that are focused on improving education including the Education Leaders' Organization (ELO) and the Second Class Foundation. Language: en Genres: Education Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Designing Schools for Students with Sarah Dirsa
Episode 302
Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
In this episode, Jessica Westerduin and Carla Cummins speak with Sarah Dirsa, principal at KG&D Architects, about radically student-centered design in educational spaces. Sarah shares her unique journey from English teacher to architect, explaining how her teaching experience in Florence and St. Louis shaped her approach to creating flexible, individualized learning environments. She discusses innovative projects featuring collaborative zones, adaptable classrooms, and spaces that foster student agency and ownership. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to stakeholders, meeting learners where they are, and designing schools that evolve beyond traditional classroom models to prepare students for future careers and technologies. Takeaways: Listen first: Understand pedagogical goals and community needs before designing Meet learners where they are: Accommodate diverse learning styles with flexible spaces Challenge assumptions: Reimagine schools beyond traditional classroom models Design for choice: Create varied zones for individual, small group, and collaborative learning Think ahead: Build adaptable spaces for evolving technology and teaching methods 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 302 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/ Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website







