E331

Building a School with Input From Everyone with Regan Shields Ives and Amy Vachon

From Better Learning Podcast · Hosted by Kevin Stoller

2026-05-20·37m

Episode summary

In this episode of Better Learning Podcast: In this episode, host Jessica Westerduin sits down with Regan Shields Ives, principal and studio leader at Finegold Alexander Architects, and Amy Vachon, principal at Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston, Rhode Island. Together, they explore how deep collaboration between educators, students, and architects shaped the design of Gladstone's new school building — one built around project-based learning, flexible spaces, and student voice.

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Original publisher description

In this episode, host Jessica Westerduin sits down with Regan Shields Ives, principal and studio leader at Finegold Alexander Architects, and Amy Vachon, principal at Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston, Rhode Island. Together, they explore how deep collaboration between educators, students, and architects shaped the design of Gladstone's new school building — one built around project-based learning, flexible spaces, and student voice. From visioning sessions with kids to co-teaching trials…