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What is a Green School?
When people hear “Green School,” they often picture solar panels, school gardens, or maybe a greenhouse out back. While those are pieces of the puzzle, the full picture is much more powerful.
A Green School integrates sustainability into every aspect of the learning experience: from the design of its physical space to its curriculum, culture, and community impact. It’s a school that not only teaches sustainability but lives it, showing students, educators, and families what a healthier, more equitable future can look like—and empowering them to lead the way.
In our latest episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we dive into why Green Schools matter now more than ever. With nearly 100,000 public schools across the U.S., the stakes are high. School facilities don’t just house students—they influence how well they learn, how healthy they are, and how connected their communities feel.
We explore the current challenges in school infrastructure, including the startling reality that many buildings still lack basics like proper ventilation or air conditioning. These gaps disproportionately affect underserved communities and create barriers to learning and well-being.
A Green School aims to change that. By reducing environmental impact, improving health and performance, and delivering sustainability education, these schools set the standard for how we treat each other and the planet. They become catalysts for change—transforming not just students, but entire communities.
Takeaways:
About The Guest Panelists:
Jana Silsby, DLR Group
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-silsby-450b7a13/
Phoebe Beierle, U.S. Green Building Council:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebebeierle/
Sara Ross, UnDauntedK12:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarajross/
Connect with episode host, Carla Cummins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/
The Energy, Carbon, and Sustainability in K-12 Education Symposium
When: June 24th-25th
Where: Washington DC
Episode 230 of the Better Learning Podcast
Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.
For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/
Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website
101 episodes
What is a Green School?
When people hear “Green School,” they often picture solar panels, school gardens, or maybe a greenhouse out back. While those are pieces of the puzzle, the full picture is much more powerful.
A Green School integrates sustainability into every aspect of the learning experience: from the design of its physical space to its curriculum, culture, and community impact. It’s a school that not only teaches sustainability but lives it, showing students, educators, and families what a healthier, more equitable future can look like—and empowering them to lead the way.
In our latest episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we dive into why Green Schools matter now more than ever. With nearly 100,000 public schools across the U.S., the stakes are high. School facilities don’t just house students—they influence how well they learn, how healthy they are, and how connected their communities feel.
We explore the current challenges in school infrastructure, including the startling reality that many buildings still lack basics like proper ventilation or air conditioning. These gaps disproportionately affect underserved communities and create barriers to learning and well-being.
A Green School aims to change that. By reducing environmental impact, improving health and performance, and delivering sustainability education, these schools set the standard for how we treat each other and the planet. They become catalysts for change—transforming not just students, but entire communities.
Takeaways:
About The Guest Panelists:
Jana Silsby, DLR Group
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-silsby-450b7a13/
Phoebe Beierle, U.S. Green Building Council:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebebeierle/
Sara Ross, UnDauntedK12:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarajross/
Connect with episode host, Carla Cummins:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659/
The Energy, Carbon, and Sustainability in K-12 Education Symposium
When: June 24th-25th
Where: Washington DC
Episode 230 of the Better Learning Podcast
Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.
For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/
Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website
101 episodes
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