A4LE New York Chapter

Meet the Board! This week, we'd like you to meet Serena Losonczy, AIA, LEED AP, one of our Members-At-Large. Get to know Serena below! Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of learning environments? A: Our kids spend a large part of their formative years inside school buildings that are too often outdated. Helping to make a positive difference in their daily experience by creating welcoming and joyful learning environments where they can thrive is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world. I spent a few years early in my career working on developer-led hotels and housing - projects where making the maximum return on investment trumped design. Schools really care about the design of their buildings because they ultimately have to live in them. As an architect, that's what makes collaborating with schools truly meaningful and satisfying. Q: What's your favorite part of being an A4LE member? A: Being part of an enthusiastic community of peers who come together with a common goal of creating better learning environments for our youth. Q: What is your favorite travel destination? A: Daydreaming - my mom always called it "traveling without a ticket." Q: Who inspires you? A: Nature. Q: What are you into right now? A: Urban infrastructure and ecology. Q: What's a fun fact that people probably don't know about you? A: I love baseball. There's no place I'd rather be in the summer than a ballpark. Q: What is the one item you can't live without? A: Coffee Q: Who is your favorite musician or group? A: Too many to choose one! #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #meetheboard #meettheboardmonday #mtbmonday #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #architecture

Meet the Board Monday! This week, we're proud to introduce you to Amanda Vottis, our chapter President-Elect. Get to know Amanda below! Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of learning environments? A: I started designing learning environments when I started working at Mosaic. Our firm has been designing educational spaces for over 150 years. I didn't know what to expect at first but absolutely love it! Schools are microcosms of the community; they have to have a little bit of everything to help students find their passions, which means everyday is different for me! Q: What's your favorite part of being an A4LE member? A: The inspiration from events and the genuine desire of the members to create educational environments that support the students. Everyone is so willing to help each other, even if they are competitors, because ultimately it's what's best for the kids. Working together, we can raise the standards and expectations for everyone. Q: What is your favorite travel destination? A: Anywhere, I'm in for all vacations! We love going to the beach with our extended family - Ocean City, Outer Banks, and Cape Cod are family favorites. Some of my favorite places that I've been internationally have been Bruges, Belgium and Budapest, Hungary. Q: Who inspires you? A: A4LE conferences! I love seeing and hearing what people are doing in our region and across the country. It's amazing to see the transformation of learning environments and educational models. Q: What are you into right now? A: My kids! I have a one year old and a four year old and everything I do right now is for them, I love watching them grow and experience the world. Q: What's a fun fact that people probably don't know about you? A: I was born on the same day as my great-grandfather, 80 years later. Q: What is the one item you can't live without? A: Music - I have music on all day, it's like having a soundtrack to my life. Q: Who is your favorite musician or group? A: Weirdly, I don't have a favorite musician or group. I like lots of different music and just try to find something that fits my mood or activity. Mosaic Associates Architects #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #meetheboard #meettheboardmonday #mtbmonday #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #architecture

Meet the Board Monday! In our fifth "Meet the Board" post, we're happy to introduce you to Danielle Lewis, CID, ALEP, WELL AP, our chapter Secretary. Get to know Danielle below! Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of learning environments? A: I grew up in a family of?educators and originally wanted to follow in their?footsteps and become a teacher. Over time, I loved the arts and found a passion for designing educational spaces! Q: What's your favorite part of being an A4LE member? A: I’m constantly in awe of the?talent and passion of the A4LE?community. I’ve met amazing?professionals on the design and?educational side through programs like the Advanced Academy?as well as my involvement in the board. Everyone truly cares about supporting teaching and learning in innovative and inspiring ways. Q: What is your favorite travel destination? A: I’ve been very fortunate to travel quite a bit in my life. Some of my favorites are?Copenhagen, London,?Seville, and all of the cities I saw along a Danube River cruise. Q: Who inspires you? A: I find inspiration in all sorts of places - my friends and?family, the local landscape and foreign travels, as well as buildings and interiors I?encounter day to day. Q: What are you into right now? A: I've been cooking/baking a lot.?Currently working through all?the recipes in the Half Baked?Harvest Super Simple cookbook. Q: What's a fun fact that people probably don't know about you? A: I am part Filipina. My grandmother is from the Philippines and met my grandfather when he was?stationed overseas in the army. I’ll be going on vacation with her there this winter! Q: What is the one item you can't live without? A: My life wouldn’t be the same without my two cats! Q: Who is your favorite musician or group? A: So hard to pick just one, but I’ll never skip a song by St. Vincent, John Mayer, or Regina Spektor. LaBella Associates #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #meetheboard #meettheboardmonday #mtbmonday #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #architecture

On the eve of our great event, meet our final panelist for our Empowering Classrooms virtual panel discussion on all things educational furniture. There's still time to register at the link below! The New York Chapter can receive a $10 discount. Please email [email protected] for a discount code?before?registering. https://lnkd.in/gA63DPpb Mark Wixson is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations with the Vernon Verona Sherrill School District (VVS) in central New York, where he has served as an educational leader for the past 27 years. He began his career in education in 1995 as a science teacher in the North Syracuse Central School District, subsequently joining VVS as the High School Assistant Principal in 1998, and then High School Principal in 2000. Mark expanded his leadership role, serving the District as Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations from 2006-2012, moving back to the instructional program side through 2018, as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. A reorganization of the District’s leadership team led Mark back to support the District’s needs as Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations again, which he has continued to serve in ever since. Vernon Verona Sherrill Central School District #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #k12architecture #k12 #architecture #furniture #educationalfurniture #furnituredesign #vsamerica #vvsschools #kaytwelve #meteoreducation

It may not be Monday, but we're excited to introduce you to Lawrence Cohen, IIDA WELL AP, one of our wonderful Members At-Large. Learn a little about Larry below. Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of learning environments?? A: Opportunity to think outside the box of corporate furniture, my previous job. And way more fun! Q: What's your favorite part of being an A4LE member? A: Being part of the mission of the organization - providing learning environments for student success. Q: What is your favorite travel destination?? A: Paris. Q: Who inspires you? A: My wife! Q: What are you into right now?? A: Gardening Q: What's a fun fact that people probably don't know about you?? A: I know all the British kings and queens from the Tudor period through today. Q: What is the one item you can't live without?? A: My Phone Q: Who is your favorite musician or group?? A: Waverly Consort VS America #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #meetheboard #meettheboardmonday #mtbmonday #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #architecture

Meet our third panelist for our Empowering Classrooms virtual panel discussion on all things educational furniture. There's still time to register at the link below! The New York Chapter can receive a $10 discount. Please email [email protected] for a discount code?before?registering. https://lnkd.in/gA63DPpb Courtney Sevigny, M.Ed., ECLPS is an accomplished Educator and Educational Consultant, boasting a rich 19-year history in education. Her expertise shines in her recent role as a building principal for the past eleven years, where she spearheaded a comprehensive, multi-year transformation at her school. This transformation was pivotal, revolutionizing not only the physical spaces and teaching methods within her building but also triggering a district-wide shift towards enhancing educational experiences for all students.Driven by a profound understanding of the transformative power of space and furniture in education, Courtney has dedicated herself to supporting Architecture and Design (A+D) firms, districts, and schools. Her goal is to reimagine and reshape learning environments in ways that significantly boost student outcomes. Her departure from the school setting was a strategic move to extend her influence, enabling her to work closely with K-12 schools across the United States. This journey reflects her deep-seated commitment to cultivating dynamic, future-oriented learning spaces that benefit both students and educators alike. Courtney's work exemplifies her belief in the critical role of change leaders in education, and her endeavors continue to inspire and facilitate positive change in the field. VS America #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #k12architecture #k12 #architecture #furniture #educationalfurniture #furnituredesign #vsamerica #vvsschools #kaytwelve #meteoreducation

Meet the Board Monday! Week two, we're happy to introduce Ashley Sansom, NCIDQ, one of our wonderful A4LE New York Chapter Members At-Large! Learn a little about Ashley below. Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of learning environments? A: Learning environments found me! When I first joined CPL, I was placed on the K-12 team given who my direct report was. After seeing my first K-12 project complete, I was hooked! Being able to see the happiness and joy on the students faces when I saw them interacting with a space I designed was pure magic. Q: What is your favorite travel destination?? A: Any place warm and sunny. Q: What's your favorite part of being an A4LE member? A: The community! It's unlike any professional organization I've ever been a part of. Q: Who/what inspires you?? A: I feel I take inspiration from everyone and everything around me. Our general day to day interactions coupled with personal experiences are some of our most valuable resources. Q: What are you into right now?? A: Branding. I also have a degree in Marketing so I have found that branding is a way that I can merge both my Interior Design and Marketing degrees together. Q: What's a fun fact that people probably don't know about you?? A: I read all 7 of the Harry Potter books every year. Q: What is the one item you can't live without?? A: Chapstick.... or my dog! Q: Who is your favorite musician or group?? A: Taylor Swift. CPL #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #meetheboard #meettheboardmonday #mtbmonday #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #architecture

Our Empowering Classrooms virtual panel discussion on all things educational furniture is just two weeks away! Follow along as we introduce you to our panelists and register at the link below! The New York Chapter can receive a $10 discount. Please email [email protected] for a discount code?before?registering. https://lnkd.in/gA63DPpb Michelle Costello has over 20 years’ experience in education working as a teacher leader, instructional coach, and school administrator in PK – 12 public schools before taking on the role of Professional Development + Experience Leader at Meteor Education. With her area of expertise in Multi-Tiered-Systems of Support, her passion is in working within a team-based approach to create effective systems, structures, and strategies to increase achievement outcomes for all learners. Her goal is to empower educators to create academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and social well-being.Michelle received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from New York College at Cortland. She earned her Certificates of Advanced Study in Leadership Development, Building Level Administration, and District Level Administration from Lemoyne College. She is certified in Life Space Crisis Intervention and also holds 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #k12architecture #k12 #architecture #furniture #educationalfurniture #furnituredesign #vsamerica #vvsschools #kaytwelve #meteoreducation

Meet the Board Monday! Week two, we're happy to introduce Steven Lovelett, the A4LE New York Chapter Past President! Learn a little about Steven below. Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of learning environments? A: I've always been interested in architecture for the public whether it was educational architecture, civic buildings, urban design, etc. Landing in K12 architecture happened mostly by happenstance but the more I learned about it, the more engaged I became. Schools are one of the most challenging project types requiring balancing the programmatic requirements, lighting, acoustics, budget, durability to create spaces that serves the community and inspire learners. Q: What is your favorite travel destination? A: Florence, Italy Q: What's your favorite part of being an A4LE member?? A: Seeing the incredible work of architects and planners outside of the narrow region where we work and bringing those ideas back to our clients. Q: Who is your favorite musician or group?? A: Changes a lot, I've been listening a lot to boygenius recently Mosaic Associates Architects #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #meetheboard #meettheboardmonday #mtbmonday #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #architecture

Leading up to our Empowering Classrooms virtual panel discussion on all things educational furniture, we're excited to introduce you to our esteemed panelists! First up is Mark Barga, EdD, Northeast Education Market Leader at Kay-Twelve. Mark is a veteran educator of 15 years, most of which took place in Pittsburgh. He is a passionate teacher and has written curriculum, designed educational programming, led teams of teachers and departments, and worked extensively on school strategic planning. His research interests are related to strengthening teacher pedagogy through professional development interventions. Mark collaborates with districts and design firms to align FF&E to educational vision and support teachers as they transition into their new, innovative spaces! Interested in gaining insights into current trends and practical strategies for overcoming furniture deployment challenges, hearing about successes and challenges on projects, and discovering how well-designed furniture can turn classrooms into vibrant learning hubs? Join us and register at the link below! https://lnkd.in/gA63DPpb The New York Chapter can receive a $10 discount. Please email [email protected] for a discount code?before?registering. #a4le #a4lenychapter #a4leneregion #learningenvironments #interiordesign #educationaldesign #k12design #k12architecture #k12 #architecture #furniture #educationalfurniture #furnituredesign #vsamerica #vvsschools #kaytwelve #meteoreducation