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Dancing with the Yeti: Part 3
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Date/Time: November 6, 2026 | 2:15 – 3:15 pm
Room: TAHOMA 5
Abstract: Following Rock Ridge High School’s 2025 James D. MacConnell Award, this third installment in the “Dancing with the Yeti” series completes the story of Rock Ridge High School by examining how the district’s transformative vision for education is performing in practice through a rigorous post-occupancy evaluation conducted by the design team and the district. Attendees will gain practical frameworks for conducting post-occupancy evaluations and using evidence-based insights to inform future educational facility planning and design.
Learning Objectives:
Assessment of the School Facility
The ability to objectively evaluate a learning environment post occupancy and utilize that data to improve future projects.
Implements a plan for educational commissioning that provides guidance on how to use and maximize the learning environment to meet the foundational vision established in the planning phase.
John is a Principal at Cuningham and serves as a Design Principal in the firm’s education studio. Central to John’s design approach is his personal commitment and passion to achieve highly creative, sustainable design results that enhance our clients’ goals through a highly inclusive and co-creative process. He is often called upon to serve a Design Resource for Reimagine America’s Schools, a consortium of national leaders innovating in the design and education space.
Noel is the superintendent of the newly consolidated Rock Ridge Public Schools District. Over his career, he has observed and participated in many school reform efforts, most of which failed spectacularly. However, the latest one, the merger of the Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia school district and the community’s decision to cooperatively build a new high school and two elementary schools, has been a spectacular success.
Hailey is an interior designer in Cuningham’s education studio. Her attention to detail and passion for design inspire her to create unique and innovative learning environments. She’s involved in every level of the design process, from concept through completion, providing clients exceptional service. Hailey is one of Cuningham’s three WELL-accredited professionals, providing insightful design solutions that benefit occupant health and well-being.
As Cuningham’s National Research Director, Amy leads the firm’s cross-disciplinary research strategy, aligning growth priorities and emerging trends to enhance client value across market sectors. With over 15 years at the intersection of strategy, research, and experience design, she integrates human-centered insights into transformative design outcomes. A recognized thought leader, Amy’s evidence-based work advances innovation through field studies, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven approaches to understanding people and place.
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Seattle Convention Center
705 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101
November 4-7, 2026
Email: donna@a4le.org
+1 480.391.0840