Fifteen years ago, a colleague and mentor of mine shared a pivotal piece of advice during a discussion about 21st-century learning design for a school project we were working on. He said, “There’s an organization that our firm is a member of that you should really get involved with if you want to learn more about school design. There’s a chapter meeting this Friday. I think you should attend.”
Little did I know where that conversation would lead me. That moment marked the beginning of my incredible journey with A4LE (then known as CEFPI), and what an awesome ride it has been!
Over the years, I’ve spoken with many people who have shared similar experiences—being volunteered (or “voluntold”) to get involved with this incredible association. It never ceases to amaze me how many members are willing to volunteer their time and effort for various committees, task forces, juries, and more. It is truly a testament to the passion that our members share for this Association.
The Growth of A4LE
It has been inspiring to witness the remarkable growth of A4LE these past 15 years. When I first joined, our membership stood at just over 2,000. Today, it has grown to more than 6,000! Membership expansion is a key focus of our Global Board, which is why increasing engagement is a primary objective of our strategic plan. However, growth alone is not enough—we are equally committed to ensuring that we consistently offer the best content for our members regarding the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of our school facilities.
One of the initiatives driving this engagement is our quarterly Leadership Meetings with Regional and Chapter leaders. These meetings provide a platform to exchange ideas, discuss best practices, and learn from one another. We recently held our first leadership meeting of the year, with focused discussions on membership, programs and events, emerging professionals, and social media. As Board Chair, I had the privilege and opportunity to listen in and engage in these conversations. It was truly awesome to hear about the incredible work being done at the Chapter and Regional levels to attract and support new members. These discussions also shed light on some of the challenges our school district members face, particularly regarding conference attendance.
Exciting Initiatives on the Horizon
This year, we are excited to introduce micro-credentialing opportunities designed to provide targeted professional development for our members. The initial course offerings will focus on Inclusive School Design for Special Education, Next Generation Learning, and a further exploration of Core Competencies, which will serve as the foundation for the future Learning Environment Specialist course. These short, asynchronous courses, delivered through Canvas, offer maximum flexibility, making them particularly valuable for school district members who must balance professional growth with demanding schedules.
Through these micro-credentials, participants—including educational planners, engineers, interior designers, architects, and other industry professionals—will have the opportunity to earn certificates while gaining valuable insights to enhance their expertise in designing and developing quality learning environments. This initiative aligns with our strategic plan to equip our members with practical, high-impact resources that directly support their work in developing quality learning environments.
Be on the lookout for an official rollout this spring and stay tuned for more details on how you can participate!
Our theme for the upcoming LearningSCAPES Conference in Phoenix, “New Horizons in Learning Environments,” reflects our ongoing commitment to growth and innovation. As we expand our programming, vendor opportunities, and content offerings, we remain focused on looking ahead—exploring new ideas, embracing new opportunities, and continuing to evolve as an organization.
This year’s conference is packed with inspiring experiences and groundbreaking discussions. We are honored to welcome Mercedes Ramirez Johnson as our keynote speaker. In 1995, she narrowly survived a commercial airplane crash that tragically took the lives of 160 people, including her parents. Drawing from her incredible journey, Mercedes presents her proprietary Second Chance Living concept, a transformative mindset with a proven track record of success. She has shared her insights with organizations like Microsoft, NASA, General Electric, and the US Armed Forces, and now she brings her powerful story to LearningSCAPES.
In addition to our keynote, we are introducing a Super Session Film Festival, featuring thought-provoking films that push the boundaries of educational design and innovation. Attendees will have the chance to engage with “Teaching in Teams,” produced by What School Could Be and Arizona State University, and “The Life of a Future-Ready School” by Fielding International and Cranston Public Schools.
And because no conference is complete without a little fun, we are kicking off LearningSCAPES with an opening dance party! It’s the perfect way to connect with colleagues before diving into an unforgettable lineup of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Our interdisciplinary membership—including architects, educational planners, interior designers, engineers, industry professionals, and school district leaders—makes LearningSCAPES a one-of-a-kind gathering. The conversations, collaborations, and insights shared here directly impact the future of learning environments.
I encourage each of you to jump on this amazing ride with A4LE. Speaking from experience, I can assure you—it is worth it. And the best part? Everything we do serves a greater purpose: creating better environments for students to learn and thrive. How incredible is it that we all get to shape the spaces where children spend so much of their time?
What a ride indeed!