Design Matters

I like to work with students in a cozy, homey environment, surrounded by books. As a teenager, I studied in the kitchen at a table that belonged to my grandmother. In the next room, my parents kept hundreds of books, where I could quench my persistent curiosity.  

During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I was privileged to study in several of the most beautiful libraries in North America: The Fisher Fine Arts Library at the University of Pennsylvania, the New York Public Library’s main reading room, and Firestone Library at Princeton University. These libraries, including my mother’s, set a high standard, encouraging lofty educational goals.

As a teacher and learning coach, I believe that interior design matters. Learning spaces must entice, soothe, and inspire. Students need cozy places for reading, comfy seats for curling up, and ergonomic desks for comfortable computing. Equally, they need a variety of reading materials to satisfy every kind of learner. Of course, my favorite addition to a learning space, is a sweet-tempered cat that knows when a child or adult needs a cuddle.

If possible, I urge parents and teachers to create well-designed learning spaces.