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Kyong Ah Kwon

Kyong Ah Kwon

ProfessorUniversity of Oklahoma

Dr. Kwon is originally from Seoul, South Korea. She received her doctoral degree in Developmental Studies from Purdue University. Before coming to the University of Oklahoma, she worked as an associate professor in the Birth Through Five Program in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Georgia State University. She had also worked with children from birth through kindergarten in Korea and U. S. as a teacher for nine years. She is a dedicated researcher and teacher educator who is interested in children’s early experiences at school and at home and their relation to children’s development and learning. She received a number of internal and external grants to support her research on early childhood education, including her recent and ongoing "Happy Teacher Project".

Thu Oct 294:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Design for Educator Wellness: Translating Research into Measurable, Scalable School-Based Interventions

This educator-led session presents findings from a multidisciplinary, post-occupancy design research initiative that examined how targeted environment

This educator-led session presents findings from a multidisciplinary, post-occupancy design research initiative that examined how targeted environmental interventions, specifically the integration of teacher wellness spaces, can support educator heal

This educator-led session presents findings from a multidisciplinary, post-occupancy design research initiative that examined how targeted environmental interventions, specifically the integration of teacher wellness spaces, can support educator health, safety, and well-being in education settings. Drawing on empirical outcomes, design documentation, and implementation insights, the session connects research evidence to real-world school environm

This educator-led session presents findings from a multidisciplinary, post-occupancy design research initiative that examined how targeted environmental interventions, specifically the integration of teacher wellness spaces, can support educator health, safety, and well-being in education settings. Drawing on empirical outcomes, design documentation, and implementation insights, the session connects research evidence to real-world school environments. Attendees will explore how design strategies aligned with HSW priorities can be adapted across diverse educational contexts, budgets, and facility constraints. 

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EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)Session TypeTRACK 4: Evidence, Impact & the Future of Practice — Research, systems, sustainability, and accountabilitySession Track
Mia Kile
Kyong Ah Kwon
Timothy Ford
Weiyi Cheng
Mia Kile
Mia KileAssociate Professor, University of Oklahoma
Kyong Ah Kwon
Kyong Ah KwonProfessor, University of Oklahoma
Timothy Ford
Timothy FordAssociate Professor and Program Area Coordinator (Tulsa), University of Oklahoma
Weiyi Cheng
Weiyi ChengGraduate Researcher, University of Oklahoma
Mia Kile
Mia KileAssociate Professor, University of Oklahoma
Kyong Ah Kwon
Kyong Ah KwonProfessor, University of Oklahoma
Timothy Ford
Timothy FordAssociate Professor and Program Area Coordinator (Tulsa), University of Oklahoma
Weiyi Cheng
Weiyi ChengGraduate Researcher, University of Oklahoma
Tags:Group E
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:This session qualifies for HSW credit by addressing how the design and modification of educational facilities directly impact educator health, safety, and welfare. Participants will identify environmental factors, such as spatial conditions, acoustics, lighting, air quality, privacy, and ergonomics, that affect educators’ physical health, stress, and job performance. The session evaluates evidence-based, wellness-centered design strategies that enhance physical and psychological safety, including interventions feasible within existing facilities. Attendees will apply these strategies to promote equity, functional performance, and well-being in resource-constrained settings. By assessing the organizational value of investing in educator wellness, linked to retention, attendance, and instructional effectiveness, the session reinforces how responsible architectural decisions advance HSW outcomes at both human and institutional scales.
Learner Engagement:This session is designed as a facilitated, interactive learning experience rather than a traditional lecture. Engagement strategies include: • Brief peer-to-peer reflection exercises using participant experience • Small-group discussions analyzing real project scenarios and constraints • Live polling to compare challenges and priorities across attendee roles • Guided discussion connecting research findings to attendees’ current projects These activities support adult learning principles and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Learning Objective 1:Identify environmental factors within educational facilities that impact educators’ health, safety, and well-being.