A4LE’s annual LearningSCAPES event will be held this year in Phoenix Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
Photo Credit (all): A4LE
By Lindsey Coulter
Chuck Saylors, vice president of JM Cope Construction in Rock Hill, S.C., is a long-time advocate for education and school facility development. With more than 23 years of experience as an elected school board member for Greenville, S.C., and as a former president of the National PTA, Saylors has become a key figure in the education design community. He is also a longtime proponent of School Construction News partner the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).
In anticipation of A4LE’s annual LearningSCAPES event, held this year in Phoenix Oct. 29-Nov. 1, Saylors spoke with School Construction News about his construction career, his involvement with A4LE and his decades of commitment to improving educational spaces.
SCN: What drew you to get involved in A4LE?
Saylors: I first attended some A4LE conferences in South Carolina back when it was still known as CEFPI (Council for Educational Facility Planning). Around 2006, I began getting more involved. Much like with the PTA, one thing led to another. The word “no” is just not in my vocabulary. When A4LE asked if I would help with something, I agreed. Over the years, I served at the state and regional levels, and last year, I had the honor of serving as chairman of the Global Board of Directors.
SCN: Why is A4LE such an important part of the education design community?
Saylors: To my knowledge, A4LE is the only organization that brings together public schools, the design community, and the construction industry with the common goal of providing a safe, secure, and high-quality learning environment for every student and teacher, no matter the size of their community. A4LE allows the design community to see best practices from different areas, while providing educators with knowledge about how to get the best possible projects in the most affordable way. For me, it’s all about creating environments where students can thrive.
The LearningSCAPES conference is also an amazing opportunity for professionals in education design to network and learn from each other. One of the highlights for me has always been the shared focus on making sure every student and teacher has access to a safe, secure, and high-quality learning environment.
SCN: What are you most excited about for the 2025 LearningSCAPES event?
Saylors: I’m excited to see the best practices from professionals around the globe. At LearningSCAPES, you can network with thousands of A4LE members from North America, Australia and Europe. For example, it’s incredible to see how certain design solutions that worked in the Midwest can be applied in the Southeast, or vice versa. The ability to learn from one another in such a diverse setting is priceless. And, of course, the continuing education opportunities are a major draw as well.
A big focus of the event is looking ahead, especially with the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in everything we do. When I first got involved in general contracting, I would look at building plans and immediately think about the square-foot costs and taxpayer dollars. But attending events like LearningSCAPES allows you to see how design professionals have been able to balance cost with creativity, incorporating unique design elements in an affordable way. These events also give us a glimpse into the future, particularly with technology like AI, and how it’s changing the design and construction process.
SCN: Is there any particular success story or project that stands out as a testament to A4LE’s impact?
Saylors: I would say the biggest impact A4LE has made is in continuing education. The programs A4LE provides for design professionals, constructors, and school leaders give them mission-critical knowledge that directly helps with ongoing professional development. Our micro-credentialing and certification programs offer real, tangible benefits to members, helping them stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry. Beyond that, the relationships and best practices shared at these events are invaluable.
SCN: As someone who has been deeply involved in both the construction and education sectors, what advice would you give to those who want to create better learning environments?
Saylors: If your goal is to ensure every student and teacher has access to a quality learning environment, A4LE is the best place to find the resources and talent to make that happen. Whether you’re a member of the design community, an educator, or a school leader, A4LE has the knowledge and network to help you accomplish that goal. Once people get engaged, they usually say, “I should have done this sooner.” It’s an invaluable resource for anyone serious about improving education environments.
A4LE is more than just a professional association; it’s a community. The relationships and knowledge shared at these events are transformative. If you’re committed to creating environments where every student can succeed, this is the place to be.