When Fullerton School District set out to design classrooms inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, district leaders wanted more than just beautiful spaces. They envisioned environments that would serve as active participants in learning and places where children’s curiosity could guide discovery and creativity could thrive.
To make that vision a reality, they turned to School Specialty and the Childcraft® line of early learning furnishings. Together, they created a district-wide standard for Reggio Emilia classrooms and developed spaces that blend natural beauty, thoughtful design, and flexible functionality.
Environment as the Third Teacher
In Reggio Emilia philosophy, the classroom itself is considered the “third teacher,” shaping how children explore and interact with the world around them. Fullerton’s new classrooms were designed with this principle at heart.
“The environment is the third teacher in a Reggio classroom, and the space is beautiful,” shared Emily McDougall, Director of Educational Services at Fullerton School District. “It really allows for the students to wonder, to bring their questions into designing the next steps in their learning. These students deserve the absolute best when they walk in the door—and we think they’re going to get that.”
Each classroom features clearly defined yet open areas, such as a kitchen, home, library, calming, and science zone, inviting children to make choices about where and how they learn. As Dr. Amanda Sobremesana, Principal at Maple Elementary, explained, “This is an opportunity for students to move through the space freely, to pick and choose what they’d like to work on for the day.”
A Natural Fit: The Beauty and Craftsmanship of Childcraft
For over 75 years, Childcraft has been creating early learning furniture designed to nurture curiosity and support hands-on learning. Established in an old Amish woodworking facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the line’s natural wood elements and warm tones perfectly complement the Reggio aesthetic.
“Our goal was to work with Fullerton to identify what a standard Reggio Emilia room would look like,” said Gary Tanner, Senior Category Manager at School Specialty. “They didn’t realize that with our Childcraft line, it’s a natural fit. All the natural elements of the wood really tie in well with what they were trying to accomplish.”
Beyond the inviting look and feel, Childcraft furnishings are built to last; crafted with durability and quality in mind, and backed by strong warranties that ensure longevity for years of learning.
Collaboration with Purpose
Every detail of these classrooms was carefully considered through collaboration between School Specialty and Fullerton’s educators and administrators. Conversations went far beyond aesthetics—down to the height of tables, the flow of movement, and the placement of materials.
“The thing I value most about working with School Specialty is they understand children,” said Katie Bezayiff, a teacher at Maple Elementary. “It’s not just a company giving you furniture and then you have to figure it out. They think about the placement, who will be using it, and for what purpose. We even spent half an hour talking about table height. It always came back to the same thing; it’s for the kids.”
That commitment to understanding how environment, pedagogy, and instruction align is part of what makes the collaboration so successful. “They know ECERS. They know Reggio approaches,” McDougall added. “They’re considerate of how the environment matches with instruction. It’s not just something that looks neat; it’s functional and purposeful.”
Built to Last, Designed to Inspire
For Fullerton’s leadership, School Specialty’s partnership extended beyond design expertise; it brought peace of mind. “We value vendors that can come in with a vision,” said Mike McAdam, Director of Purchasing Contracts, Warehouse & Reprographics. “The craftsmanship, longevity, and warranty mean these classrooms will serve students for years to come.”
Through intentional design, natural materials, and deep respect for how children learn best, Fullerton School District and School Specialty have created learning environments that truly embody the Reggio Emilia spirit, spaces that inspire curiosity, exploration, and a lifelong love of learning.
Childcraft by School Specialty continues to help educators bring the Reggio philosophy to life with thoughtfully designed furnishings that combine timeless craftsmanship with educational purpose, helping schools everywhere create environments where children can explore, wonder, and grow. To learn more, please visit the School Specialty website.
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