Dr. Sue Ann Highland
Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

Dr. Sue Ann Highland is an educational leader, national speaker, and author of Reimagining Learning Spaces: Designing Educational Environments for a New Generation. With more than 30 years of experience in education, she has served as a Principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Federal Programs Director, and Career and Technical Education Director, leading improvement initiatives in schools and districts across the country.

Currently the National Education Strategist for School Specialty, Dr. Highland partners with districts and educators nationwide to align instructional vision, culture, and physical learning environments. Drawing on her background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, she focuses on the human side of educational systems — how space, culture, and leadership decisions influence collaboration, belonging, engagement, and performance.

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As the author of Reimagining Learning Spaces, Dr. Highland challenges schools to think beyond furniture and floorplans to design environments that intentionally support how people learn, connect, and work together. Her work bridges real-world leadership experience with research-informed strategies that help schools create spaces where both students and educators thrive.

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A dynamic and engaging presenter, Dr. Highland speaks nationally on leadership-driven design, CTE learning environments, belonging and culture in schools, and the role of physical space in shaping human behavior and learning.