VS America to Discuss How Physical Spaces Impact Student Well-Being

VS America, a full-service manufacturer of school and office furniture, will host a webinar on Friday, March 19, discussing the opportunities and obstacles facing students as they return to school. The conversation will feature four panelists and focus on the impact of physical learning spaces on students’ mental and emotional well-being.

A survey of high-school students conducted by America’s Promise Alliance has revealed the various negative effects of COVID-19 in areas like social connection, emotional health, and learning time. Results show that 29% of students surveyed don’t feel connected to others, while 25% have difficulty sleeping due to negative emotions and 38% are concerned about their present and future education opportunities. The return to in-person learning, in other words, will entail much more than just catching up on the finer points of trigonometry.

Student well-being webinar

The webinar’s panelists include:

  • Dr. RJ Webber, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at Novi Community Schools in Novi, Mich.
  • Dr. Caelan Soma, Chief Clinical Officer and Senior Trainer at Starr Commonwealth
  • Jill Ackers, Learning Designer at Fielding International
  • Roger B. Fisher, Associate Director of the Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR) at the University of Michigan

According to a press release, the webinar is slated to cover “how schools can create spaces to allow for the healing and connectivity needed.”

You can register here to attend. Attendees will also receive a free 6-month subscription to Starr Commonwealth’s “on-demand, trauma-informed, resilience-focused professional development.” The event will take place from 12:00–1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (9:00–10:30 a.m. Pacific Time) on Friday, March 19.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Rush-Henrietta Central School District’s Sperry High School

    A New Perspective: Using Adaptive Reuse Concepts in K-12 Planning

    In the face of increasing pressures on construction timelines, budgets, and material availability, the renovation and reuse of pre-existing structures for new purposes can help bridge the gap between modern school programming and outdated school infrastructure.

  • Spaces4Learning 2025 Trends in Higher Education

    With 2025 well underway, it’s time to take a look at some broader trends submitted by you, our Spaces4Learning readership. We asked for your thoughts on topics like classroom design, health & safety, materials & construction, and technology in both K–12 and higher-education environments. Below is a roundup of 2025 trends in higher education from the experts in the trenches.

  • Integem Releases New AI-Powered AR Software Platform

    Integem recently announced the release of iPlayer EDU, an AI-powered software platform featuring augmented reality (AR) technology that allows teachers to create immersive educational experiences, according to a news release. The software also includes interactive lessons on a variety of subjects, including planets in the solar system.

  • ed tech conference calendar

    Upcoming Awards, Events & Webinars