When it comes to campus upgrades, Lakeshore’s 2025 Educator Pulse Survey found that educators are less interested in adding more technology. Instead, they prefer to create spaces that support student behavior and well-being. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,945 K-12 educators across all 50 states, says that teachers prioritized outdoor and wellness-oriented environments over traditional high-tech learning spaces.
When asked to pick up to three campus additions they would most like to see, respondents most frequently chose cafeteria and dining space improvements (59.2 percent). Media spaces and technology hubs followed at 38.7 percent, but outdoor learning areas ranked close behind at 35.9 percent.
Collaboration or breakout spaces (24.3 percent) and STEM labs or maker spaces (23.4 percent) are also ranked highly. Meanwhile, updated libraries (16 percent) and designated Zen zones or calming corners (14.9 percent) rounded out the list.
Despite continued industry attention on AI and digital transformation, the report notes that educators prioritized nature and wellness spaces more than two to one over tech hubs.
The emphasis on the physical environment appears closely tied to broader challenges inside schools. In the same survey, behavioral issues were cited as the top concern among educators, far outpacing integration of AI or technology. Teachers described a need for sensory-friendly materials, soft seating, quiet corners and clearly organized classrooms to help students regulate emotions and maintain focus.
For facility managers, the findings suggest that modernization efforts may need to expand beyond technology investments. The report encourages administrators to view outdoor areas as cost-effective classroom extensions that support both instruction and student well-being. The survey also recommends using space more intentionally by incorporating small learning zones in hallways and classroom corners, leveraging vertical storage and adopting mobile furniture to increase flexibility.
As districts evaluate capital plans and expenditures, the survey indicates that flexible, calming and nature-connected environments may deliver greater impact for teachers and students than additional screens or digital tools.
Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor of the facilities market.
