In a recent conversation with Learning Space Designer Ingrid Reineking, we discussed what active learning means and how learning environments can be designed to support it. At its core, active learning shifts students from passive listeners to active participants in the learning process. Through discussion, collaboration, exploration, and hands-on engagement, students take a more active role in how they learn. For a deeper look at active learning and why it matters in today's classrooms, be sure to check out our previous blog on the topic. During our conversation, Ingrid challenged us to think about active learning in a broader way. While many people associate active learning with student movement and participation, she explained that active learning also depends on the flexibility of the environment itself.

When we picture learning environments, we often imagine classrooms. Desks, whiteboards, instruction, and structured lessons tend to define our understanding of where learning happens. But learning does not begin and end within four walls. Students move, think, process, connect, and regulate throughout the entire school building. One of the most overlooked spaces in that process is the hallway.

Picture a classroom from the early 1900s. Cast-iron desks bolted to the floor. Each seat attached to the writing surface behind it. Students lined up in rows, facing forward, hands folded, eyes on the teacher. In these spaces, students were not seen as individual learners. They were treated as identical parts of a whole, expected to move in sync, think alike, and follow a single path through education...

As we close out the FŌM25 season, we reflect on an incredible summer of service, teamwork, and impact. This year we had the privilege of playing it forward for Annie Mondragon, the Barton family, McDowell County Schools, the Woerner family, World Orphans, and Kids’ Food Basket in honor of Rose.

From June 30–July 25, our team is #PlayingItForward for the Woerner family—Mike, Eva, and Ozzy. In late 2024, Mike was diagnosed with stage 4 small bowel adenocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer that develops in the small intestine. Since then, the Woerners have been adjusting to a new reality—supporting Mike through treatment and working through the many changes that come with it.

In today's learning environments, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the diverse needs of learners. Neurodiversity challenges the traditional model of education that treats all students as if they learn in the same way. It means seeing each learner not as a diagnosis or a set of challenges, but as an individual with unique strengths, needs, and ways of engaging with the world. When educators shift their mindset in this way, they create space for deeper connection, stronger engagement, and meaningful growth for every student.

From June 2–27, our team is #PlayingItForward for McDowell County Schools. The county was hit by major flooding in February 2025, causing extensive damage and prompting school closures. Through it all, the district stayed focused on connection, care, and helping the community move forward.

Inclusive education isn’t just a teaching method. It is a mindset rooted in the belief that every student deserves access to high-quality learning, no matter their background, identity, or ability. When we build environments that support all learners, we’re not only meeting their academic needs but also contributing to more compassionate and equitable communities.

From May 5–30, our team is #PlayingItForward for the Barton family—Bill, Marci, Sydney, and Lucas. Lucas was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) when he was five and a half years old. DMD is a severe, progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle degeneration and weakness due to the absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact.