The Power of Community-Centered Design with Courtney Ter-Velde

About this episode

Courtney Ter-Velde discusses the impact of community-centered design in K-12 educational spaces.

In this episode, Carla Cummins and Jessica Westerduin speak with Courtney Ter-Velde, K-12 Project Manager and Interior Design Specialist at LaBella Associates, about radically student-centered design in educational spaces. Courtney shares her unique journey from musical theater performer and sociology major to interior designer specializing in K-12 education. She discusses her passion for working with smaller rural districts where design impact resonates deeply throughout the community, including a playground project that transformed a district that hadn't seen updates in 30 years. The conversation explores how schools can be spaces where students find safety, develop trust, and discover their sense of self—going far beyond just improving educational outcomes. Courtney also reflects on the balance between technology and traditional learning methods, noting research supporting pen-and-paper learning alongside digital tools. Takeaways: Schools shape more than academics : Design spaces where students can find safety, build trust, and develop their sense of self Support educators too : Create environments that empower teachers to focus on their vital work Ask deeper questions : Build…

People in this episode

Host: Kevin Stoller

Guest: Courtney Ter-Velde

Topics covered

• community-centered design
• K-12 education
• interior design
• student safety
• educational spaces

Keywords

• student-centered design
• rural districts
• playground project
• technology in education
• traditional learning methods

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Power of Community-Centered Design, the Better Learning Podcast

Places: Rochester, NY, Northeast Region

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