This year Natural Pod is teaming up with Green Schools National Network and heading to the Green Schools Conference! It's taking place virtually over two half days on June 28 and 29th, and there are some fantastic speakers, events and interactive sessions lined up....

It’s exciting that many schools will welcome students back to campuses soon, but it’s putting a lot of pressure on educators and administrators to make decisions very fast, not only for the end of this school year but the beginning of the next as well. We understand...

This year Natural Pod will be teaming up with Green Schools National Network and heading to the Green Schools Conference! It's taking place virtually over two half days on June 28 and 29th, and there are some fantastic speakers and interactive sessions and events...

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...

Somehow it’s already June with many educators and administrators gearing up for the end of the school year and trying to give graduates a good send off, while also having to contemplate the beginning of the next school year and all the decisions that entails. Due to...

Learning during a pandemic has spotlighted concepts that have always been involved in some education conversations, but now seem to dominate the media, talk in the community and future planning. These concepts include synchronous and asynchronous learning,...

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...

We’ve been greatly saddened to learn of the logging of old growth forest that’s been taking place, particularly at Nahmint River watershed and Fairy Creek on unceded Pacheedaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in Canada. Natural Pod is...

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...

COVID-19 has directly impacted students through widespread school closures, loss of learning, and widening disparities. It has also had consequential indirect impacts on students. A troubling rise in child neglect (Thomas et al., 2020), stress related to food...

During the pandemic, learners have experienced emotional and psychological stress to varying degrees. Some of the effects represent themselves in depression, challenges to self-esteem, fear, and emotional and psychological anxiety. Each learner’s experience is unique...

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Raised by a single mother alongside four other children. A dedicated mother, who pursued quality education and care for each of her five children, no matter the costs. Ashanti continued on to pursue an education in early childhood...

On average, we make a mere 35,000 decisions each day, from deciding how many times to hit snooze, to each element of a meal, to making purchases as a consumer or business. Navigating these decisions can be simple or complex - which would you prefer? Make a simple and...

It's been incredible to witness the resilience of educators during this last year and their commitment to their students well-being, both academically and with a deep care for their emotional states and individual circumstances as well. Not that the Natural Pod team...

Oak Park Unified School District approached their furnishings and finishes as intentionally as the building itself - with the goal of supporting their district-wide sustainability values and instructional program. This story is featured in the spring issue of Learning...

The pandemic has hit many organizations and businesses hard, with women disproportionately feeling the negative impacts. Yet, many organizations with women at the helm are not only surviving – they’re thriving. We're honored that Natural Pod's CEO and Co-founder,...

One of the biggest mistakes that I made early on as a school designer was to engage in the change process around learning spaces without a team. Don’t get me wrong. I asked for input, listened to the needs of others and designed with empathy. All of these elements are...

From driving the first rented moving truck to deliver our first furniture order, to serving nearly one million students to date, Natural Pod has and is continuing to grow in many ways. Looking ahead, we are delighted to share that our team is growing to further our...

Every step forward in recognizing the power of good between and for people and the planet, is a step towards a kinder and more equitable world. We are delighted that Natural Pod has been recognized as a runner-up in finals for the BCBusiness 2021 Business of Good...

What is Tremont Institute? “I wish school could be like this all the time.” – student quote This quote, more than any data, outcomes, or metrics, captures the essence of what we hope for students and teachers who participate in our school programs at Great Smoky...

As a part of my work as a school designer, I’m able to visit and walk through many flavors of schools. My role is to help leaders and design teams to resee their buildings, help them to notice what has moved to the background, and ask questions that promote actionable...

Every step forward in recognizing the power of good between and for people and the planet, is a step towards a kinder and more equitable world. So we are delighted that Natural Pod has been announced as a finalist in the BCBusiness 2021 Business of Good Awards! And...

Over the last year as the pandemic has grown in consequence, I’ve been listening to the open schools, keep schools closed debate. Some of it, on both sides, seemed like a proxy war about things like teacher voice, local control, and funding, but some of the debates...

Monarch Montessori is tucked away between UBC and Kitsilano and surrounded by the true elements of what we know as Beautiful British Columbia. The Founder and Principal, Grace Chou has been a long standing supporter and customer of Natural Pod since October 2014. I...

With a new year comes new and re-energized conversations about the direction of education. Due to the unexpected additional challenges that developed because of covid, these conversations are encompassing even more facets than usual and a heightened sense of...

In a time of uncertainty, being able to visit The Collective Tennyson Childcare Centre was a moment of both inspiration and reflection. Reflection on why we do what we do and inspiration to keep doing more of it. There are a lot of good people who are continuing to do...

Wishing you a happy, kinder, and more joyful new year. We hope you found time to rejuvenate over the holiday season, connect with loved ones, and had the opportunity to reflect on all there is to be grateful for. In the spirit of offering some hope and inspiration to...

Wow, what a year! We’d like to pause for a moment as 2020 draws to a close and deeply acknowledge educators and parents and the courage they’ve shown in navigating the unprecedented circumstances of this past year. Our team has directly experienced how incredibly...

As 2020 comes to a close the Natural Pod team have been reflecting on all this year has unexpectedly brought, including the successes and triumphs of educators and students over the last 12 months. To inspire you to stay in a place of creativity going forward into...

When products are described as being sustainable and environmentally responsible what does that really mean? And does it always mean the same thing? There isn’t a universal definitive definition, and that’s why one has to look a little deeper into a...

What does it mean to be healthy at school? There’s the physical space to consider – ensuring school buildings are clean, safe, and conducive to learning and teaching – as well as occupant health and well-being. However, in the context of a...

The idea of what is required from educational environments was evolving long before the pandemic, and although this year has been full of challenges there has been a consistent vocalization that we need flexible, sustainable, and adaptable learning spaces...

Giving Tuesday is here, offering a wonderful chance to join the global movement for giving that takes place each year after American Thanksgiving and Black Friday. This annual event celebrates our collective capacity to do good, unleashing the power of...