A 2020 Reflection

This year was a whirlwind of obstacles and it’s finally coming to a close. As we wind down the most challenging year in education to date, take a moment to reflect on everything you learned in 2020. More than likely, you had to think outside the box, adapt quickly to many changes, and make difficult decisions. You were not alone.

In the Fall issue of Spaces4Learning, we surveyed facilities managers, administrators, faculty, policymakers, architects, and maintenance professionals from around the country and asked them about their Fall 2020 experiences and plans for the new year. Take a peek at what others endured, the lessons learned, and what can be improved on in 2021.

Although this year was rough, I hope you celebrate your wins — big or small. In this issue, we're celebrating our Education Design Showcase winners, where we honor outstanding design in educational environments. Each project is exemplary and demonstrates innovative design for today’s students. I hope you take inspiration from these amazing learning spaces to your own districts and institutions. We’ll have more detailed information about the winners online so be sure to check out www.spaces4learning.com.

After a year full of zoom meetings and emergency measures, I wish you a restful holiday season. A new year brings a fresh start and with it, a chance to expand upon what we learned this year.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • abstract illustration of school gym

    How the Gymnasium Can Serve as a Model for Learning Space Design

    Multipurpose gyms work because flexibility was built into the brief from the start, not retrofitted later. The same logic applies to academic spaces.

  • Arlington High School

    Arlington High School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Arlington High School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Agricultural Sciences Complex

    Agricultural Sciences Complex

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The College of Western Idaho's Agricultural Sciences Complex has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of New Construction.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.