Excellence is shaped in exceptional places. From Broadway theaters to state-of-the-art athletic facilities, the best of the best reach their potential in spaces that are tailored to what they do. Naturally, the same is true for learning environments — and the benefits of thoughtful space design reach far beyond students’ academic success. Better learning spaces can also help you recruit and retain top teaching talent.
Even in substandard spaces, teachers do amazing things for our kids. Because so many educators are driven by a personal mission that motivates them to go above and beyond, they’ll use the tools they have to do what they can. But in today’s education landscape, good teachers are in high demand and have their pick of available roles. School leaders need to leverage every possible advantage to bring them on board and ensure they’re well-equipped and happy once they arrive. This includes sharing a clear vision, fostering a positive environment, and investing in practical support for the realities of their work.
Empower teachers with the tools they need
Have you ever tried to make a recipe without all of the ingredients, complete a DIY project with the wrong materials, or play a round of golf with only a putter? Sometimes ingenuity and luck let you muddle through, but more often than not you end up with a poor result.
No matter how passionate they are about their work or how creative their ideas, teachers will struggle when they lack the resources they need: the writable space required for big-picture thinking, the flexible furniture that makes it easy to adapt and collaborate, the materials and storage that keeps spaces organized and distraction- free, and the integrated technology that today’s students need to maximize discovery.
And even the most extraordinary educators are only human. Don’t let them spend their limited time and energy on adapting to less-than-ideal conditions. Give them a better chance at excellence by designing their spaces with care.
Relieve stress and foster positivity in your schools
Teachers who work in optimized learning spaces can see firsthand how invested their leaders are in their success. It’s inherently motivating because it sends the message that the whole school community is on the same team, working toward the same goal, and that the district will use its resources to get there. Even more importantly, it reassures teachers that leadership has their backs and will help them navigate future challenges. This alone can relieve a major source of anxiety and uncertainty.
The physical space can also eliminate many barriers teachers need to overcome to complete essential tasks. Badly designed environments zap energy and creativity, add daily frustration, provoke misbehavior and distraction, and overstimulate the senses; well-designed ones reduce stress, foster a sense of care and belonging, promote focus and engagement, and ease the pressure on teachers and students alike. This enables teachers to bring their best content and learning processes to the table, and it gives students a chance to get locked into learning.
When teachers are surrounded by this kind of support and learning-centered design, they want to return to the space and continue the work. It becomes easier not only to manage the challenges that arise each day, but also to recover after hard moments. A restorative environment combined with confidence in school leaders’ support can combat the burnout that’s so common these days. Teachers who work in optimized learning spaces can see firsthand how invested their leaders are in their success.
Lead by example to achieve excellence
Some of this space design work can be facilitated by teachers, but it can be difficult to ask them to do something different and more impactful if they’re already overwhelmed. That’s why school leaders need to be at the forefront, not only making learning space design a priority, but also emphasizing that great spaces equip teachers for excellence and make them want to stick around. Consider making explicit efforts in the areas below to get quick wins, to showcase the importance of space design, and to set teachers up for greater success.
Get rid of excess stuff. One of the quickest ways to improve a learning space is to remove things that are no longer needed. Ask teachers what gets in their way and what they wish they could offload. Reassuring them that they don’t have to keep everything they’ve been given can liberate them to think about their instructional design in new ways.
Take care of the details. Model how to take responsibility for the school environment and encourage the entire community to participate. Remind them that anyone can pick up items from the ground, remove outdated posters, and report areas that need repair. Be clear that this doesn’t reflect poorly on those who clean the building; instead, it’s an effort to involve teachers and students in maintaining a tidy space for learning.
Look at the big picture and prioritize. Before making major changes, gather ideas from teachers themselves or from an education-focused design team. Consider all of the stated needs and what you know about the science of learning, then build a priority list and assign phases of implementation. You’ll be able to leverage this plan when you talk about budget and other resources (such as support from maintenance). Having this list starts to build momentum toward real solutions.
Remember common spaces. All spaces are learning spaces. Classroom design is vital, but keep in mind that entry ways, offices, hallways, libraries, and other common spaces also impact students and teachers on a daily basis. These areas can welcome students and families, send a message about excellence, foster calm and well- being, and promote both personal learning and greater collaboration.
Tell the story of your space. Outstanding spaces are a team effort and require buy-in from across your community. It’s crucial that everyone, from district leaders to local families, understands how the space currently functions, what needs to change, and the long-term impact those changes will make. Once you tell that story, you’ll win the enthusiastic support you need to succeed.
Whether your school is poised for a full transformation or small, thoughtful optimizations, the changes you make can make all the difference. Focus on the fundamentals — what every teacher and student needs to excel in their environment — and you can ensure greater teacher recruitment, satisfaction, and retention.
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