In this spin, I hope to level set beauty in education. A recent conversation with a friend who just returned from a study tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy has left me again thinking about how important beauty is in education. Listening to her recount her experience left me inspired and provoked, wondering how to illuminate why the aesthetic in schools and in learning matters for all. Beauty stirs the senses, provoking pleasure and wonder. Beauty is the sunset that leaves you breathless, the forest walk that gifts you with peace, the ocean swim that refreshes your soul. Beauty is the painting that haunts you, beauty is the song that makes you smile, beauty is the poem that you can never read too many times. Beauty is the deep belly laugh with colleagues, beauty is the smile from a student who can't wait to come back to school, beauty is the warmth of a connection to something bigger than yourself. Beauty is the salve to the busy, pedantic mind. In a time when the cadence of life seems to continually accelerate, feeling beauty matters more than ever before.

Early in my career as I moved into my first principalship, a former district leader told me "to leave Pollyanna at the door." At the time, I didn't realize the sticking power that comment would have and how it would imprint my career trajectory. Those words have served as a reminder and warning at times when I have needed to recenter and return to the beauty in our profession.

Pollyanna is known as one of the most optimistic literacy heroines in classic American children's literature. Her irrepressible optimism and sense of gladness have made her an icon of positivity. The 'glad game' played by Pollyanna in Eleanor H. Porter's 1913 novel might be seen by some as naive or unrealistic, but I prefer to embrace her optimism and resilience. Healing, recovery, community, support, kindness and compassion are central themes in Porter's story highlighting the transformative importance of a positive outlook no matter how challenging the context may be. Finding positives matter, just as finding beauty matters. I believe that Pollyanna's glad game still has a massive place in public education. I've been mentally playing it for years, trying to always find the silver lining even in the most difficult of situations. That former colleague inadvertently imparted a powerful message to me, a gift of strange sorts. While I believe his intention was to encourage me to toughen up and brace for challenges, the result was quite different. I internalized his remark, and it ultimately strengthened my resolve to protect my inner Pollyanna, enhancing my capabilities as both a human centred leader and a person. The toughening up and realism that leaders need to embody comes with experience, time, and perspective. As educational leaders, our professional reality can verge on soul-scarring if we don't actively safeguard positivity, kindness and joy. Finding beauty and protecting hope amidst fiscal challenges, competing priorities, complex politics and human relationships requires educational leaders to level set and ask themselves what matters most in our profession.

Beauty is an elusive construct. It is subjective and personal which many may position it on the soft or feminine side of leadership. I would argue that beauty must be an effusive aspect in all educational design. Classrooms should be aesthetically pleasing places, they should be clean, tidy and designed with sensitivity to those spending time there. Schools should be well organized, harmonious, welcoming and free of clutter or waste. How we present, prepare and maintain learning environments impacts the work that happens in that space. For the purpose of this spin, I am zooming into the physical design of space and how it impacts human performance and well-being in schools. In times when 'ugly' often surfaces in negative human interactions and environmental issues, intentionally bringing beauty and harmony into the classroom is crucial for everyone's well-being.

Neurologically Bringing Beauty

Neurologically protecting and finding beauty helps the human brain recalibrate. Beauty inspires the mind and settles the limbic system, as the amygdala receives a message of calm and the hippocampus responds by starting to line up positive, feel good connections. Experiencing beauty lowers the activation of the amygdala, sending signals to the body to ease off the stress cycle and safely slow down. In doing so the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in helping the body to rest and recover. When the human brain experiences beauty, the body responds positively. Human-made beauty, such as a stunning piece of artwork, reminds us of what is possible. It raises our standards, pushes us towards excellence, and propels our imaginations into innovative creative spaces. Mother Nature's beauty, like an extraordinary sunrise or spectacular sunset, brings us face-to-face with wonder. It reminds us that we are surrounded by beauty and that even in the darkest of times, the extraordinary exists.

Physiologically Bringing Beauty

Movement and physical activity helps the human brain problem solve, think, learn and emotionally balance. Research demonstrates that classrooms which embed physical literacy and movement based learning experiences have higher rates of cognitive development. Research also shows that humans who engage in physical movement are more attuned to positivity and are prone to affective and motivational participation in communities. Humans need space to move, and Canadian classrooms should promote physical literacy throughout the school day, not just in PE or gym classes. How does this connect to the importance of beauty in education?

The connection between beauty and movement lies in their combined impact on human wellness and learning environments. Holistic well-being, aesthetic motivation, engagement and clarity, functional design, and stress reduction are all outcomes of thoughtful, aesthetically pleasing educational designs that benefit both the human body and mind. Refreshing space by decluttering and minimizing "stuff" is one low cost way to ensure students and staff alike can move freely in school environments. The concept of less is more rings true in all educational settings. Minimizing the obstacle course of desk arrangements and thoughtful selection of classroom materials begs educators to think about what is necessary, and what is not, to support movement in beautiful learning environments.

Technologically Bringing Beauty

So, how does AI weave into this spin? AI plays a crucial role in enhancing educational design and beauty by generating innovative ideas and solutions. Ten years ago, several colleagues and I were embarking on a series of "classroom make overs" working alongside of educators who were interested in redesigning for human development and enhanced self-regulation. Much to our surprise the heavy lifting of decluttering and emptying the "just in case" teacher material boxes was good for everyone's soul. While we discovered that together we could sort through a lot together, the process was incredibly time consuming as we worked through details, plans and focal areas for redesign. Now a quick generative AI search using refined micro-prompts provides succinct and accessible steps for classroom redesign and beautification. While human collaboration and support is irreplaceable, the time spent on knitting together "the plan" can be swiftly assisted with the use of AI applications.

Here is a quick AI example generated on Microsoft 365 Copilot:

SLS's Prompt: How can AI help me redesign my classroom to create a learning space that is beautiful? I do not have additional funding for this, so how can I do this a low cost/no cost?

Copilot Response: AI can be a powerful tool to help redesign your classroom beautifully and affordably. Here are some ways to leverage AI and low-cost strategies.

Using AI Tools:

1. Idea Generation: Use AI tools like ChatGPT or MagicSchool AI to brainstorm creative and budget-friendly design ideas.
2. Layout Optimization: AI can suggest optimal classroom layouts that maximize space and functionality. Tools like Google Workspace with AI can help visualize different configurations.
3. Resource Recommendations: AI can recommend low-cost or DIY decor solutions based on your preferences and needs.

Low-Cost Design Strategies:

1. Flexible Seating: Use movable furniture and various seating options like bean bags, floor cushions, and standing desks.
2. Nature Elements: Incorporate plants and natural light to create a calming environment. You can use inexpensive or donated plants.
3. DIY Decor: Use student artwork to personalize the space. Minimize commercial posters and lean into displaying student work beautifully. Think about collecting picture frames and rotating displays of student work.
4. Interactive Walls: Use whiteboards or chalkboards for interactive lessons. You can use affordable materials like contact paper or paint to beautify.
5. Storage Solutions: Organize materials with labeled bins and shelves. Use repurposed items like old boxes or containers.
6. Color Scheme: Choose a simple colour scheme that matches existing furniture. Use inexpensive materials like fabric, bed sheets, or plastic table covers for bulletin boards. Be intentional and think about the use of neutral, calming colours. The colour and beauty of students' work should be what stands out most.

AI-generated tools can enhance educator clarity by providing a launchpad for design. I share this example to demonstrate the efficiency and organization of possible next steps in the classroom beautification process. My intention is not to minimize complexity or replace human conversation, consideration, and collaboration, but to swiftly guide educators into the hands-on work of classroom redesign and the rediscovery of beauty.

While the complexity in schools today is not debatable, what is debatable is why it gets so much airtime over the endless stories of joy, success, and human beauty in countless Canadian classrooms.  After several decades in the business of education, I would argue that today’s classroom is not too much different than what it was two decades ago.  Many might state that the heightened stress levels in Canadian classrooms are due to continued post-pandemic fallout, associated learning loss, current geopolitical stressors, and ongoing economic challenges. While I agree with aspects of this perspective, I would add that life has always moved quickly and is filled with endless complexities. Interpersonal relationships, decisions, and their resulting actions have influenced humanity since the dawn of time. However, when we get bogged down by stress, anxiety, workload challenges, and complex human behaviour, the optimists in the educational world must rise above. They should surround themselves with the healing power of beauty. We need to be more intentional in how we compassionately communicate and lead to address educational barriers and crises. While today's classrooms may not be fundamentally different, they must look different than they did when I started my career. Embracing beauty in design is the path forward.

Professionally, I live the gift of spending time in schools filled with energy and endless potential. Every time I connect with students, I am reminded of how important our profession is. Educators have the privilege of touching lives and caring for human souls, which can never be understated. Classrooms must be places of beauty, cared for with hope and a commitment to making a difference. Finding our way towards harmonizing beauty and brains is an opportunity for everyone, not just the Pollyannas of the world. By embracing this harmony, we can create environments where both students and educators thrive.