Reimagining Learning Spaces

Sue Ann Highland serves as the Lead National Education Strategist for School Specialty, bringing over 30 years of experience in transforming schools and districts across the country. A retired building and district administrator, she is a recognized expert in school growth, systemic improvement, and educational change. With a Master's in Educational Leadership and a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Dr. Highland specializes in developing impactful professional development programs, aligning instructional strategies with organizational effectiveness, and driving meaningful school transformation. Throughout her career, she has held diverse leadership roles, including Consultant, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Principal, Federal Programs Director, and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Director, with a strong focus on school turnaround and continuous improvement. She has worked extensively with public, private, and charter schools, helping them enhance instructional strategies, build leadership capacity, and create sustainable improvements. As an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Dr. Highland is passionate about aligning people, processes, and learning environments to foster success. She has provided expert coaching and consulting to districts nationwide, addressing critical areas such as crisis recovery, brain-focused instruction, collaborative learning, social-emotional learning, and career and technical education. She is particularly passionate about the intersection of instruction and environment, ensuring that physical learning spaces support and enhance student engagement and achievement. In recent years, Dr. Highland has seamlessly integrated her extensive educational leadership experience with her work at School Specialty, designing innovative, student-centered learning environments. With a deep understanding of instructional vision and spatial design, she collaborates with districts to create dynamic, flexible learning spaces that inspire students and maximize educational outcomes. As a nationally recognized thought leader, Dr. Highland frequently speaks at regional and national education conferences, sharing her expertise in school transformation, instructional leadership, and effective professional development. With an unwavering commitment to PK-12 school improvement, Dr. Highland partners with educators and administrators to implement evidence-based practices, streamline operations, and foster lasting success in schools and districts nationwide.

Chapter 1: Why Our Spaces Need to Change Chapter 2: Environments That Align With Instructional Goals Chapter 3: Environments That Support Student-Centered Learning Chapter 4: Environments That Support Student Wellbeing Chapter 5: Environments That Support Teachers Chapter 6: Creating A 360 View of the Classroom Chapter 7: Media Centers, Makerspaces, Movement, Wellness, and Sensory Rooms Chapter 8: Environments That Support Continuous Learning in Non-Instructional Spaces Chapter 9: Making a Plan to Transform Your School Environment

I have long admired Sue Ann Highland's transformative influence in the field of learning space design. This book is a vital contribution, offering a clear, research-informed framework that demystifies educational design. Its guiding principles and practical tools will empower educators to create engaging and impactful learning environments. -- Darren Buttle * Hazleton, Pennsylvania * I've seen firsthand the impact Sue Ann Highland makes when she believes in a vision-she brings it to life. Her passion for transforming learning environments isn't just theory, it's lived practice. This book reflects the same bold spirit and belief in possibility that has empowered so many students and educators across the country. -- Henri Crockett * Cooper City, Florida * Reimagining Learning Spaces is a must-read for educators seeking to transform classrooms into spaces that inspire collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Highland offers practical ways to meet the needs of today's students through intentional design. -- Patty Hoppe * Greeley, Colorado * This handbook on learning environments will ensure students will thrive within them. It is a book you will not want to put down. -- Ken Darvall * Tema, Ghana * This book is a must-have for practitioners who are looking to impact student success. The concepts and actionable ideas will create tremendous learning environments where all students can achieve at their highest levels. -- Curtis Clough * Los Lunas, New Mexico * Understanding the ways teachers and students learn is a huge step towards preparing students for future success. -- Joan Tuttle * Clearfield, Utah * This book does a fantastic job of providing school staff the research-based and logical explanation behind learner-centered spaces. -- Laura Metcalfe * Mesa, Arizona * A must-read for educators and school leaders looking to transform their learning spaces into environments that foster student engagement, wellbeing, and academic success. This book provides both research-driven insights and practical strategies, making it a powerful guide for rethinking how we design schools for the future. -- Richard Warren * Princess Anne, Maryland * With clarity, insight, and deep experience, Sue Ann invites us to reimagine what is possible when we design spaces that truly support the whole learner-intellectually, emotionally, and socially. I encourage everyone involved in the redesign of learning spaces to read this book! -- Jolene Levin * Dallas, Texas *