Why beauty is needed in the classroom
Recently I’ve been re-reading the MDR research report ‘The Impact of Learning Spaces on Student Success’ to further and deepen my understanding of how I can lead Natural Pod to better serve students and educators. This research is such a great resource – it was...
Are your learning environments ready for the future?
The Natural Pod team and myself are, and always will be, committed to creating the most healthy and beautiful learning spaces that welcome and inspire students and educators. As technology like AI transforms the world in ways that we’ve still yet to realize, I truly...
The Importance Of Stakeholders When It Comes To Creating Successful Learning Outcomes
When it comes to creating great learning environments with the intention of creating great learning outcomes, who gets to decide how to create them, and by what means? Welcome, stakeholders! We mostly know what ‘stakeholders’ means, but the term doesn’t sound very...
Not perfect, just a little better!
Why conscious buying is more than choosing green products. Black Friday kicks off the global holiday shopping season, and it is obviously impossible to ignore. Many retailers are pondering if this year’s average spend will be lower due to high inflation and a looming...
To set students up for success, learning spaces can’t be an afterthought
Due to timeline and distribution complexities created by the pandemic many schools are having to make choices about outfitting their learning environments for September right now and very fast. That is a lot of pressure on educators and administrators at a time when...
Embracing a Culture of Care + Connection
People kept asking me, “How do you make time for self-care?” After getting asked enough times, I wanted to go deeper and study more about creating a Culture of Care + Connection for myself and the people in my life. This idea of Culture of Care + Connection is ever...
Joining the dots between environmental education and the classroom environment
Fortunately, sustainability in education has grown a huge amount in the last few years. Whether that’s creating more energy-efficient schools, providing cleaner air, or increasing environmental education. But there’s a long way to go. There is still a...
We are Better Together
As a young mother, when your child is sick from exposure to a toxic chemical, a plethora of emotions floods your system. Over ten years ago, that mother was me. I had all of those emotions as my little boy had an adverse reaction to a toy in his learning environment....
Resources to support outdoor learning
With my upcoming webinar exploring a case study around indoor/outdoor learning studios, along with the increase in questions around the benefits of outdoor learning, I thought I’d collect some resources that may be of value to others looking into this subject....
Designing for integrated and whole school sustainability
Whole school sustainability has a range of meanings. As a designer or planner of built educational environments how does one deliver a successful project when creating a sustainable school or learning environment? As the Founder and CEO of Natural Pod this has been my...
Let’s Not Lose Sight Of Wellness In The Name Of Safety
With a return to school, or if not school certainly a return to learning – we know it will look very different for everyone, especially with discussions around where learning is even taking place for some. Understandably concerns around safety are front and center....
Are you working with companies that are aligned with your values?
If you’re here, you may already know Natural Pod creates high-quality, non-toxic wood furniture for early learning and K-12 learning spaces with an emphasis on beauty, functionality, and environmental awareness. I’d like to expand on those last three points and what...
Why we created an Ideabook for Indigenous Learners
Only two weeks ago my team completed Natural Pod’s first Indigenous Learners Ideabook, and I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s been a while in the making and the end result allows us to share some fantastic Indigenous learning spaces, the stories behind them and why as a...
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 06 – Designing an Integrated and Holistic Sustainability Journey
Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Six is available to watch! If you are in any way connected to educational architecture, design or planning, this episode with Kate Mraw, Design Director at LPA Design Studios (LPA), is an absolute must watch! Kate shares so much insight...
Why I always attend the Green Schools Conference
With our virtual bags packed, my colleague Kelly Rosensweet and myself have headed to the Green Schools Conference along with the Green Schools National Network team. The conference is taking place today and tomorrow – June 28th & 29th, both as half days....
Rethink Outside: The Positive Impact of Outdoor Learning
We are emerging from a year that presented new learning challenges and opportunities. While learning did not cease to take place, it shifted to new topics and new locations. Looking ahead, the value of learning outdoors and true outdoor learning will continue to hold...
Another fantastic win for ecological design in education and its benefit to learners
This week, a project that I know well and is close to my heart won an Education Facility Design Award. Presented by the AIA (The American Institute of Architects) and its Committee, the benefactor is LPA Design Studios for the creation of the Environmental Nature...
The buying decisions you make now can create a positive difference that lasts
It seems decision time has come a little early this year, with many of you being called upon to make choices now that will shape the new school year in September. Though these decisions will impact students long past a school year, they have the power to positively...