Essentials Magazine Essentials Fall 2017 | Page 30

The Power of
Flexibility
BY MURRAY HUDSON
T
here is evidence, both anecdotal and empirical, that the
learning environment can have a significant effect on chil-
dren’s progress and development. Murray Hudson, Managing
Director of Gratnells, looks at some of the innovative ways that
environment is changing for the better.
30 essentials | fall 2017
A teacher on his or her feet is worth
two in the seat. It’s the latest call to action
from an education world in the midst of
transformation.
Things are on the move. Indeed, there
is no more front of the classroom, accord-
ing to the new wave of educationalists.
Among them is Alan Rheault, Chief Fur-
niture Designer at Fleetwood Furniture,
a Holland, Michigan-based manufacturer
of school furniture since 1955 and one of
the industry’s early adapters.
“There’s a legacy of innovation here,”
says Rheault, pointing to Fleetwood as
one of the first companies to make school
furniture mobile by using wheels. “And
today, schools want teachers interacting
with students and moving around differ-
ent spaces,” he explains. “There’s also a