Actively Involved In: Distribution Council and Board of Directors
I originally got involved with EDmarket leadership so that I could network and be better connected. However, as I got more connected, I realized that I had a chance to help drive change and thought leadership in our industry. It has been a terrific journey of growth and connection.
The Distribution Council has always focused on putting together an impactful EDchannels Symposium — a half day for distributors/dealers and manufacturers to learn and network to better themselves. We also took it upon ourselves this year to focus on establishing the Why behind joining the council and clearly laying out the value for distributors to joining EDmarket.
The phrase "rising tide lifts all boats" is what comes to mind when I think of how our work will make a difference for distributors and dealers and thus our collective education clients. If we all work together to raise the standards of bringing innovation to our industry, we will collectively make a difference for our next generation. What could be more profound than that!
Membership gives connection to all of the tools and resources of the brightest minds in education. It will help distributors/dealers to access to the best solutions and research to help drive student-centered innovation, it will help with providing personal and industry-wide advancement, and finally it will help with providing a valuable network and opportunity for dealer advocacy.
Actively Involved In: EDmarket Executive Committee, Board of Directors and ECLPS Program Director
I have devoted my 25+ years of my professional life to helping the design community and educators change the learning experience and its designs from an efficiency model to an efficacy model using research evidence, design applications, and evolving learning practices.
I've worked hard to get research 'off the shelf' and into practice and am incredibly proud of ECLPS [EDmarket Certified Learning Place Specialist] Program as a legacy of my learning journey. I believe this professional certification program will be a game changer and is one of the most important programs EDmarket is providing for our industry. Being the ECLPS Program Director is a way for me to share a life experience in the hope that others may benefit. My career focus (my North Star) has been on reimagining the way we do education; designing for it, learning and teaching in it, and the kinds of curricula we deliver. We know statistically design matters and how design impacts human behaviors — especially critical in a learning and teaching setting.
I joined the A&D Council to participate in EDmarket's expansion of its focus to be more inclusive of all design domains [i.e., architecture, interior design, industrial design, and facilities] and be more evidence-driven. Once the ECLPS program was underway, I wanted to help spread the word across all of its intentional cohort domains [i.e., A/D/Facilities; Education Leadership; Industry Partners] connecting EDmarket’s diverse membership pool through a shared focus on understanding that ECLPS is the one program designed to intelligently disrupt the way learning organizations are designed for future-ready experiences.
Actively Involved In: EDmarket Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Distribution Council
I believe the contributions that our industry (supporting the future of education) is critical to the success of every student and the overall future of our society and country. Effectively equipping educational facilities across the US is more than just an economic opportunity. To avoid being a 'talker' but rather a 'doer', a 'contributor' takes time and commitment to work with other leaders across our country to build the infrastructure that we need as individual participants in the industry, but also to raise the bar for all industry participants.
I've seen the Distribution Council's focus growing these last few years from a nuts & bolts/operational focus towards of one of greater focus on developing strong industry participants: engaging the membership in activities that grow their skills & expand their focus, creating a greater sense of belonging.
Actively Involved In: EDmarket Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Chairman's Advisory Committee
Being a leader for the EDmarket Association has been a pivotal and rewarding experience for me. EDmarket is dedicated to advancing the education marketplace by connecting professionals, promoting best practices, and fostering innovation in educational products and services. My role in this esteemed organization has allowed me to contribute significantly to these goals.
First, it has provided me with a platform to influence and shape the future of the educational supplies and furniture industry. By collaborating with industry leaders and experts, I have been able to advocate for policies and initiatives that ensure high-quality educational environments for students and educators alike.
Second, the leadership position has facilitated personal and professional growth. Engaging in various leadership activities, attending conferences, and participating in educational programs have expanded my knowledge and skills. This has not only enhanced my ability to contribute effectively to the association but also enriched my overall professional journey.
Moreover, being an EDmarket leader has enabled me to build a robust network of like-minded professionals. The connections and relationships formed through this network are invaluable, providing support, inspiration, and opportunities for collaboration that extend beyond the association's activities.
Finally, the sense of fulfillment derived from contributing to an organization that prioritizes the improvement of educational environments is profound. Knowing that our collective efforts positively impact the learning experiences of countless students is a constant source of motivation and pride.
Help yourself professionally by taking an interest in all the resources that EDmarket has to offer!
Actively Involved In: EDmarket Board of Directors
Independently vendors and partners of Education environments all aim to do better for the students and faculty within educational systems, however together our whole is greater than sum of individual parts. EDmarket is, and continues to evolve, how it is that "whole" to support the student, educator, administrator at a higher level of success.
As a member of the Board of Directors I have the privilege to support and contribute to each of EDmarket's councils and initiatives as those teams best see my fit. This has included making connections and opportunities for the Bold Women Collective, contributing work towards Finance & Audit committee, and advising the Chairwoman and A&D councils.
Actively Involved In: Architect & Designer Council
I want to be a part of the conversation of moving architecture in the education sector forward. There are great thought-leaders in our industry and serving on the EDmarket A&D Council is a great opportunity to listen and learn from them and share my own experiences and ideas for creating amazing learning spaces.
The A&D Council's current focus is on bridging the conversation gap between ALL designers (architecture, interiors, furniture, etc.) and the educators who use the spaces we design. Educators have not always had a seat-at-the-table when educational facilities are planned and designed, leaving them, the designers, and at the end of the day (and most importantly) the learners, at a disadvantage. No project can be successful when it is conceived and executed in a vacuum, without the consideration for and input from those using the space.
Actively Involved In: Board of Directors, Architect & Designer Council
As an architect focused on K12 design work, I believe in the notion that 'all ships rise with the tide'. My decision to engage with EDmarket leadership is driven by the potential to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering the exchange of ideas and opportunities for creating influential learning environments. Notably, my involvement provides proximity to cutting-edge programs and extensive prospects for professional development under the guidance of industry trailblazers.
The A&D Council's current focus revolves around formulating 'best practices' and standards pertaining to stakeholder design process surveys and post-occupancy surveys. This initiative aligns with the mission to provide structured and curated content addressing pertinent design issues in conjunction with the AIA's CAE.
This pursuit is primed to significantly impact our industry. By nurturing collaboration and a shared knowledge base within our sector, we can facilitate the dissemination of organized and curated 'best practices,' thereby fostering enhanced professional support. I believe that such measures will raise the industry benchmark and heighten expectations, culminating in the development of more impactful spaces and elevated standards. Furthermore, our collective effort to enhance access and searchability of K12 ed-space research and knowledge content is anticipated to yield discernible improvements in learning environments and school communities.
To bolster the efforts of our leadership group, I invite the support of our EDmarket membership. Sharing successful project case studies and best practices, active participation in EDspaces, and exploration of ECLPS are instrumental in furthering our mutual objectives.
Actively Involved In: Education Innovation Council, Board of Directors, NexGen, and Bold Women Collective
My name is Tammy Andreyko, Ed.D., and I currently serve as the Superintendent of Quaker Valley School District near Pittsburgh, PA, bringing with me 32 years of experience in education, with the last six years dedicated to my current leadership role. My involvement with EDmarket began as a scholarship recipient for the EDspaces conference, where I found invaluable resources for my ongoing high school construction project. Through EDmarket, I discovered a wealth of information covering various crucial facets of educational environments, including school safety, mental health space planning, optimal learning environments, and adaptable furniture and equipment.
My involvement with EDmarket deepened as I actively engaged with The Bold Women Collaborative and served as a judge and mentor to NexGen awardees. These experiences provided unique insights into the intersection of K-12 education and design, further fueling my passion for educational innovation. Additionally, I contributed to evaluating conference proposals for EDspaces, aiming to enhance the quality of the annual event.
As the Education Innovation Council Chair, my aim is to foster discussions on creating environments where students and staff can thrive. This commitment extends to my participation in the ECLPS program's second cohort, a decision that reflects my dedication to expanding my professional network and knowledge base. I see EDmarket as a vital platform where leading thought education leaders converge to share knowledge, build connections, and drive innovation, and I am eager to contribute to this dynamic community.
The focus of our Council this year is to develop a forum for dialogue and innovation, ensuring that educational spaces are conducive to learning and growth. By facilitating these conversations and initiatives, the Education Innovation Council and I seek to make a tangible difference in the educational landscape, fostering environments that inspire and empower learners and educators. To support our work, I emphasize the importance of continued engagement and collaboration within the EDmarket community, leveraging its resources and expertise to propel educational innovation forward.
