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Episode #41 The most beautiful school in… the world? Facilities management strategies with Raymie Fernandez, COO at DREAM Charter School
SHOW NOTES
2 min read
SHOW NOTES
GUEST INFO
Episode Guest:
Susan Jenkins, VP of Sales Design and Specification at Hertz Furniture
Dr. Earl Metzler, VP of Educational Environments at Hertz Furniture
Website:
EPISODE SUMMARY
In Episode 54 of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli sits down with Susan Jenkins and Dr. Earl Metzler of Hertz Furniture to discuss how charter schools can go beyond desks and chairs and operationalize truly innovative FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) upgrades.
They share practical, real-world strategies for reimagining learning spaces—from flexible seating to collaborative layouts—and emphasize that the physical classroom should support how you teach, not just what you teach. Whether you're working with a new build, a single pilot classroom, or a limited budget, you'll walk away from this episode with actionable insights to align your academic vision with a flexible, future-ready learning environment.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
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Start with the instructional model: Design follows strategy—not the other way around.
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Include everyone early: Teachers, students, and community stakeholders should be part of your design process.
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Furniture is a tool for learning: Flexible seating, wheelbarrow casters, and mobile storage can transform how students engage.
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Pilot before you invest: Try new layouts in one classroom, gather feedback, then scale what works.
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Sustainability over flash: Avoid trends and focus on long-term usability and adaptable environments.
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Use learning walks: Observe how furniture impacts instruction and adjust based on real classroom needs.
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Budget smartly: Save 20% of your FF&E budget for post-install adjustments driven by user feedback.
RESOURCES
https://hertzfurniture.com/ - Simplifying your furniture decisions.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Innovative Learning Environments
02:57 Defining Innovative Learning Environments
05:53 Unique Considerations in Educational Spaces
08:41 Practical Examples of Innovative Design
11:10 Furniture Choices for Active Learning
13:59 Aha Moments in Educational Transformation
16:05 Identifying Problems in Educational Spaces
19:04 The Importance of Stakeholder Involvement
19:50 Engaging the Community in New Builds
23:05 Operationalizing Change in Educational Environments
25:07 Trends in Classroom Design and Flexibility
30:42 Final Recommendations for School Leaders
ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Dr. Earl Metzler
Experienced educational executive consultant, providing assistance to Superintendents, Principals, CFOs, and Facility Directors on how to maximize the effective and efficient use of resources to increase student achievement.
Former Superintendent of Schools with demonstrated success in urban K-12 public education. Skilled in Educational Technology, Classroom Management, Public Speaking, Responsible Budgeting, Education Reform, School Safety, and Staff Development. Strong media and communication professional with a National Superintendent Certification focused in Educational Leadership and Administration, Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO).
Susan Jenkins
She specializes in bridging the gap between educational strategies and learning environments. As Vice President of Sales, Design & Specification at Hertz Furniture, she partners with architects, interior designers, and school leaders to create inspiring, flexible, and future-ready educational spaces. With decades of experience in FF&E selection, specification, and procurement, Susan supports both new school builds and renovations—streamlining the process and helping schools achieve strategic, student-centered outcomes.
ABOUT OUR HOST
Daniel Casselli is a life-long learner whose passion for education has driven his professional endeavors. He is a former classroom teacher and youth ministry director whose entrepreneurial spirit landed him in the world of education technology. At EVERFI Inc., Daniel helped run the business development efforts for EVERFI’s Financial Education Program and the company was eventually sold to Blackbaud for $750M in 2021. Shortly before EVERFI’s acquisition, Daniel joined Class Technologies as one of the earliest sales hires and went on to lead K12 Enterprise Sales and helped the company land its first 100+ K12 customers across public, charter, and private schools. Daniel brings his unique experiences to BuyQ where he is focused on growth, operational excellence, business strategy, and client satisfaction. He is a graduate of Grove City College where he studied Religion and History.
You can listen to Charter School Insider: Lessons from the Nation's Top Charter School Operators on your favorite podcasting platform...
