Transforming Classrooms into Collaborative Learning Spaces

Still stuck in the same classroom setup year after year? You’re not alone. Too many classrooms signal teacher control before a single word is spoken—and that design choice shapes everything about how students engage.

In this episode, I take you inside the transformation of an old office into a vibrant Montessori adolescent hub—and unpack what it means to move from “classroom” to “co-working space.” You’ll learn how even small space shifts can foster agency, collaboration, and creative thinking.

You’ll discover:

• Why subtracting furniture may be the boldest design move you make

• How to create learning “zones” for different kinds of student work

• Why your teacher desk might be sending the wrong message

• How co-working models can inspire fluid, student-led learning

• Practical design tweaks—from flexible seating to portable whiteboards—that invite movement and autonomy

Whether you’re working with a blank slate or reimagining a familiar room, this episode gives you the mindset and strategies to build a learning environment that empowers—not controls—your students.