KI Furnishing Knowledge

Dr. Kevin Berkopes is CEO of education nonprofit Crossroads Education and the founder and CEO of XR Technologies, an Indiana-based company that utilizes technology to help schools improve their mathematics education. Kevin sits down with KI's Jonathan Matta to discuss how technology can break barriers in traditional education systems. Discover how a technology-based approach to teaching can help students learn at their own pace, while maximizing teacher efforts to avoid classroom burnout. 

Jonathan Matta, National Education Leader with KI Furniture, takes us through a bird's-eye view of lessons learned from the pandemic. We address topics like learning vs. education, why the term "learning loss" is a bit of a misnomer, re-imagining learning culture, the importance of flexible learning spaces, and how to give students agency in their own educational process. We also talk about how reflections of the shift in learning culture over the last decade can be found in everything from Star Wars to The Office.

Jeff Bott is the Division Head of Career and Technical Education P.E., Health, Drivers Ed, for Buffalo Grove High School. Jeff has been a dedicated high school educator for 17 years, spending his first 12 years in the classroom teaching engineering and architecture. His current role has him overseeing a number of education pathways. Jeff has led and helped develop new curriculum, the creation of a new middle school STEM education program and has overseen multiple nationally-recognized classroom remodels. Bott recently spoke with KI's vp of education, Bryan Ballegeer, about his own education path, the innovative approach Buffalo Grove High School takes with its students and his experience with KI after being included as a Ruckus Grant Program participant. KI's Ruckus Grant Program gave a number of K-12 and higher education institutions an adaptive, human-centered learning environment. Participants agreed to a six month controlled environment that isolated furniture in hopes of gaining more insight into the role of furniture in learning spaces.

Dr. Ena Shelley, Dean of the College of Education at Butler University is a nationally recognized expert in the Reggio Emilia approach. Recently she spearheaded a Reggio-inspired curriculum for the Indianapolis/Butler University Laboratory School at IPS 60 and was named 2010 Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents for her distinguished work in early childhood education. Dr. Shelley sits down with KI to discuss her approach and what she feels is the role of the teacher and the learner.

Yamilée Toussaint, Founder and CEO of STEM From Dance, spends time discussing her influencers, organization and why she’s so dedicated to the power the arts have on young minds.