October 28-30, 2026 |
Kansas City, MO

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Thu Oct 29•4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

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

EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)TRACK 4: Evidence, Impact & the Future of Practice — Research, systems, sustainability, and accountability

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. 

Speakers

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

More Information

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.

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Tags:Group E
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
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EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)Session TypeTRACK 4: Evidence, Impact & the Future of Practice — Research, systems, sustainability, and accountabilitySession Track
Lennie Scott-Webber
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Lennie Scott-Webber
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Tags:Group E
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
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EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)Session TypeTRACK 4: Evidence, Impact & the Future of Practice — Research, systems, sustainability, and accountabilitySession Track
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Tags:Group E
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:NA
Learner Engagement:The session is structured as a 40-minute provocation with a 10-minute small group reflection opportunity and report out and we will end with a whole group general discussion at the end. Participants will engage in a brief small-group discussion using the Rock Ridge High School POE example to identify what evidence or metrics they would prioritize within their own institutions and how they would integrate research into their own practice.
Learning Objective 1:Interpret findings from a post-occupancy evaluation of Rock Ridge High School to understand how learning environment design influences student engagement, staff experience, and well-being.