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Emily Gebhardt

A4LE Names FGMA's Jim Woods as 2024 LE Fellow

d whtie headshot of Rebecca Richter, recipient of 2024  A4LE Fellow Designation

We are honored to announce that Jim Woods, Principal and Executive Vice President at FGMA, is a recipient of the prestigious LE Fellow Designation by The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). As described by A4LE, the designation “is reserved for those who have consistently contributed to our community through exceptional service, education, and mentorship. These distinguished members have not only become the most respected voices in our field, but they also possess the wisdom and dedication to carry our association forward through innovation and leadership.”


Jim’s passion for creating dynamic learning environments dates to his early experience at Perkins & Will Architects where he worked closely with renowned school expert Bill Brubaker and designer Ralph Johnson. Under their tutelage, he was involved in award-winning projects such as the Perry Community Educational Village, the New Albany Learning Community Campus, Arlington High School as well as educational projects in Beijing and Singapore.


In 1997, Jim was recruited to join FGM Architects (FGMA) to help elevate the excellence of its PK-12 school design practice. Since then, he has led hundreds of public and private school projects, as principal-in-charge, lead programmer/planner and design architect. The types of facilities and learning environments he has created encompass a diverse spectrum ranging from the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools to Chicago Public Schools as well as numerous urban, suburban and rural school districts throughout Illinois and nationally. He is currently Principal-in-Charge for a multi-year initiative that is transforming Oak Park & River Forest High School, a historic Chicago school (Ernest Hemingway was a 1917 graduate) into a 21st century learning environment that celebrates equity and excellence. 


Exterior photograph showcasing the entrance to OPRF high school with a glass wall of windows and patio tables and chairs out front
OPRF High School Entrance

An expert programmer and planner with parallel skills in design, project and client management, Jim says,

“I find the upfront portions of a project especially intriguing as we help people translate their vision and educational goals into the concrete reality of spaces that work.” 

While every project and school client is unique, Jim approaches schools as “little cities,” containing multiple inter-related spaces that, together, form dynamic learning communities in which students can learn, develop and thrive.


Jim’s impact on the field of educational design extends well beyond FGMA. He re-joined A4LE in 2000 after joining FGMA, received ALEP certification in 2012 and was a founding board member of the Chicagoland chapter of the Midwest Great Lakes Region. His service encompasses many roles including governance, strategic planning, knowledge-sharing and advancing standards of excellence. Currently he is a juror for the 2024 MacConnell Award, a testament to his knowledge, experience and reputation. 


Since 1997, Jim has served FGMA in a variety of leadership capacities including PK-12 Practice Director and Northern Region Managing Director. Today he is an Executive Vice President and member of FGMA’s Board of Directors.


Please join us in congratulating Jim on this outstanding achievement for his commitment and contributions to the future of student learning environments!


 

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