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By Jill Ackers and Courtney Sevigny��

Transforming learning spaces is about more than updating furniture or redesigning classrooms—it’s about shifting mindsets, evolving leadership and creating shared language around how space supports learning. Listening to students, supporting teachers, communicating��clearly, engaging in continuous learning and challenging the status quo create the conditions for meaningful transformation.��

The most profound transformations happen when leaders evolve alongside their schools. In collaboration with fellow school leaders, teachers and students, five key lessons emerged about leading in an ever-changing environment shaped by furniture, flexibility and function.��

Leadership Means Lifelong Learning in Dynamic Spaces��

Author Maya Angelou’s words resonate in moments of uncertainty: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Leadership is about modeling this mindset—acknowledging when something isn’t working and adjusting accordingly.��

In flexible learning spaces, this means understanding how furniture choices impact engagement, accessibility and movement. ��

As a native Rhode Islander, Courtney Sevigny, ECLPS, learning environment specialist for VS America, likes to think of the administrator as the captain of a ship. In calm waters, the captain sets the course, guides the crew and delegates roles. In turbulent times, the captain rolls up their sleeves and adjusts the sails alongside the crew. Trust is built by engaging in real conversations, observing how space is used, and testing changes in response to student and teacher feedback.��

Students Lead the Way When Space Supports Their Needs��

Observing students in action offers invaluable insights. When given the right environments, they naturally demonstrate what supports their engagement and growth. ��

I will never forget walking into the learning commons and seeing students reclining while working on a writing assignment. My instinct was to correct their posture, but taking a moment to observe revealed something deeper—a preconceived idea about what learning “should” look like. That day, I learned a priceless lesson: Even forward-thinking leaders carry assumptions that could hinder growth.��

The key is not allowing those ideas to dictate decision-making. Observe without judgment. When you do this, stories unfold that you might otherwise miss—a reluctant writer filling an entire writable tabletop with prewriting, a student calmly working while perched on a wobble stool or a group naturally shifting desks to collaborate.��

Supporting Teachers as Learners in New Spaces��

Teachers benefit from clear support in navigating dynamic environments. Traditional classroom design often dictates rigid instruction—introducing adaptable learning spaces means shifting instructional practices.��

Professional learning that includes hands-on engagement with flexible furniture, real-world scenarios and practical experimentation fosters confidence.����

James D’Amico, principal at New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, Conn., reflected on the shift in leadership within a transformed school space.��

“In the previous building, hallways were lined with closed doors, limiting interactions. Now, in more open and adaptable spaces, I see learning in action,” D’Amico said. “Happy collisions happen naturally, teachers move beyond their classrooms and I engage with students in ways that weren’t possible before. It’s not just the learning spaces—the office spaces are more open too. There’s more dialogue. There’s more collaboration.”��

Some staff embrace these changes quickly, while others take time. Regular conversations, feedback, and ongoing professional learning support teachers in rethinking how furniture, movement and spatial planning enhance instruction.����

To learn more about the value of clear expectations, communication and the power of asking ‘Why Not?’ when rethinking learning environments, visit the March/April edition of �鶹������.��

Jill Ackers, ALEP, is director of education for VS America.��

Courtney Sevigny, ECLPS, is a learning environment specialist for VS America.��

About VS America ��

VS America Inc. is a leading manufacturer of educational furniture for K-12 schools, colleges and libraries. Focused on best practices for educational facilities worldwide, VS develops adaptable, ergonomic and sustainable furniture solutions which allow for the creation of agile learning environments. For more information, visit  .��

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But what can education leaders do to create versatility in their facility if a new construction project or a remodel is not affordable?

When a large-scale project isn’t an option, Spacesaver Corporation’s Flexible Shelving units allow schools to maximize the utilization of both existing and new facilities, emphasizing adaptability and multiple functionalities.

For example, what if a facility also needs to serve as a community center or public space after school hours?

The Advantages of Adaptability

Flexible Shelving units offer a tailored solution for school facilities of all shapes and sizes. With the capability of static shelving but with the versatility of moving storage, this fully configurable solution comes in a variety of sizes and shelving types to fit all the items that users need to store.

Maximizing space in any area of a school, Flexible Shelving units are perfect for many tasks, and the best part is that they can be easily moved to different spots as space and use needs change. The units, offered in single-faced and double-faced options and multiple dimensions, are customizable with the style of shelving needed in each location to accommodate a variety of materials while maintaining an attractive display.

Spacesaver’s Cantilever Flexible Shelving provides a versatile and efficient solution for various storage needs. By harnessing traditional library shelving and a variety of modern options, Cantilever Flexible Shelving provides easy accessibility and organization throughout a school building.

Also available with 4-Post Flexible Shelving, both shelving styles allow educators to create configurable storage spaces for their schools that encourage browsing, provide storage and offer prominent displays. Spacesaver Flexible Shelving units include several choices regarding maneuverability.

At Harper College in Palatine, Ill., for example, the school’s planning team wanted to provide casual collaboration spaces on the library’s main level, along with access to popular periodicals, digital media and other materials. Counter-height cantilever shelving contributed to the open feel, allowing natural light from large windows to fill the space. By utilizing Flexible Shelving units, the staff could move them when they needed to repurpose the space.

“We observed how the students used the spaces. The movable shelving allowed us to reconfigure several areas on the second floor to reduce group seating and mitigate loud conversation, while still promoting collaboration,” said Njambi Kamoche, dean of Resources for Learning, Harper College.

Caster Considerations

A popular option is Flexible Shelving with concealed caster bases, which give the appearance of stationary shelves with the flexibility to relocate these units to make room for other activities. This option seamlessly blends into other design elements and utilizes the weight of stored items to keep units stationary when patrons are browsing. However, they remain agile so that faculty and staff can maneuver them to a new location when necessary.

Flexible Shelving units featuring exposed caster bases with locking mechanisms are an excellent option to ensure shelving is not moved unintentionally, promoting safety in areas such as K-12 school libraries. The shelving units can still be relocated by staff to create space for other activities, including guest speakers, makerspaces projects, collaboration and community events.

Personalize with School Pride

With a sleek finish, the shelves are durable and visually appealing, adding to the aesthetic of any room. Thanks to its functional design for adaptable use, Spacesaver’s Flexible Shelving offers customizable end-panel finishes such as laminate, wood, acrylic and resin. The ability to personalize end panels or top panels allows school districts to create a cohesive and complementary look that matches their aesthetic preferences.

Connect with Us

Architecture and the creation of highly functional interior spaces have the ability to give schools a top-notch look and ensure students continue to thrive. For more than 50 years, Spacesaver has been a trusted partner in helping higher-education institutions plan and design effective learning spaces. Our network of local distributors offers space planning expertise, product installation, and ongoing service and maintenance by factory-certified technicians.

Visit for more information.

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