Wolfe Presents "Values Matter: Changing the Culture of Education" at NYSCOSS Conference

Catherine Wolfe, Senior Interior Designer, presented “Values Matter: Changing the Culture of Education” at the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) Fall Leadership Conference on Monday, September 23 in Saratoga Springs. She was joined by Casey Barduhn, Superintendent, of the Westhill Central School District.

Catherine was recently featured in “K-12 Design Gets a College Preview” by Architect Magazine on the latest trends in educational facilities identified by architects and designers across the country.

The session was designed to stretch the participants’ views and understanding of why the values of educators and designers matters in changing the culture of education.

Recognizing the changing dynamics of education, they explored the importance of identifying and embracing the fundamental values of all stakeholders in the redesign of educational delivery and the spaces that support it. Participants were given tools and strategies to identify core values and how to use those values to shape pedagogy and space.

Additionally, they took a close look at Central New York’s Westhill Central School District and explored how the clarity of the District’s values shaped the conversations and goals to enhance the delivery of education, how administrators and faculty members embraced the shifting educational model, and how robust guiding principles informed the creation of energized, student centered spaces. They did a deep dive into understanding the outcome of incorporating these values and initiatives into the instructional and facility improvements. Participants learned how extensive post occupancy research done on the first phase (completed in 2018) of a two phase renovation at Westhill High School will be used to shape the pedagogy and space of the second phase currently under design.