Category: Head’s Corner

In the fall of 1991, I began as a Social Studies student teacher at Redford High School in Detroit, Michigan. On my first day, my mentor teacher offered a piece of advice that seemed essential at the time: “Don’t crack a smile until Thanksgiving; it undermines your authority.” Back then, this felt like sound wisdom—I was there to deliver information and make sure students took me seriously. Building emotional connections with them felt like it would take precious time away from academic instruction. It seemed logical, right? The more time spent on connection, the less time there is for learning history.

But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Over the past 20 years, our understanding of how we learn has evolved dramatically, and neuroscience has made one thing clear: emotions fuel learning. The people we learn with, and how connected we feel to them, have a profound impact on academic success. This is why, at Saklan, we prioritize building relationships with students and making sure they feel like they truly belong. It’s not just about helping them grow into well-rounded individuals; it also leads to better academic outcomes.

Research shows that learners need an emotional connection to the content itself, too. That’s where Project Based Learning (PBL) shines. PBL taps into students’ experiences, motivations, and natural curiosity, creating meaningful, emotionally-charged learning experiences that foster deeper understanding and translate into real academic achievement.

At Saklan, we’ve always understood the power of emotion. We focus on connecting emotionally with students (“Love in Learning”) and helping them connect emotionally to the material (“Love of Learning”). We do this because it works, but more importantly, because it speaks to the learner inside all of us.

Warmly,

David

If you attended one of our Back-to-School-Nights, I hope one of your main takeaways was understanding the transformative power relationships have on learning. The connection between a student and their teacher is important and essential to deep, meaningful learning. David Brooks of The New York Times highlights an idea we hold dear: “Students learn from people they love.” This isn’t just about affection or care; it’s about a profound, holistic connection where students feel seen, heard, and supported as whole individuals.

Brooks shares how emotions are an integral part of learning. Neuroscience has shown that students struggle to stay motivated, navigate challenges, or retain what they learn without emotional engagement. It’s a reminder that true education is more than just the transfer of information from teacher to student —it’s about creating a space where students are emotionally and intellectually connected and inspired.

During your BTSN sessions, I hope this approach to how children learn rang true. Our teachers bring passion to the classroom, not just for the subjects they teach but for the students themselves. They recognize that to spark curiosity, foster perseverance, and encourage intellectual bravery, there must first be a foundation of trust and emotional connection. We know that students thrive when they feel supported not just academically but personally, when teachers are more than instructors—they are mentors, guides, and partners. 

In a world that often focuses on test scores and metrics, it’s crucial to remember that one of the most important measurements of a school’s success is the quality of the relationships within its walls. How well do students feel known? How much trust and care flow between students and teachers? How much joy is present in the classroom? These are the questions that define our success at Saklan. We see every day that when relationships are nurtured, academic achievement naturally follows- and we have the data to prove it (check my next blog post).

So, as we move forward into this school year, let’s keep in mind that in order to create a love of learning, one needs to also focus on the love in learning.  

Warmly,  

David 

Schools around the country traditionally begin the year with a Back-to-School Night.  In many schools, this evening serves primarily as a time for teachers to outline their curriculum and policies, often squeezing in just a few minutes for questions (I vividly remember my days as a middle school teacher, where I had a mere ten minutes to cover an entire Western Civilization course before parents had to rush off to the next classroom). At Saklan, the night holds deeper meaning.

For us, Back-to-School Night is more than just an informational session; it’s the continuation of a partnership centered around your child. While discussing the curriculum is certainly important, the evening is also about building trust, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the connections between the adults who care for and guide your child. 

With this in mind, I asked our teachers and staff what they most want families to take away from Back-to-School Night. Below are some of their heartfelt responses.

Care

• I want parents to know that their child is loved and cared for 
• Students and parents need to feel welcome and included
• That they trust their children are safe, will be inspired to learn and grow personally and academically
• That they feel a part of their kid’s classroom
• That they know their children are in good hands
• Every child will feel secure and supported while exploring their full potential

Partnership

• It’s a partnership – I value your child and your insight. 
• That parents feel a sense of connection with the teacher
• It’s a partnership. Keep communication open.
• Who I am as their child’s teacher
• Parents understand the means of communication and information (both ways) throughout the year ahead.
• That we are here to help support the students grow + learn. We are a team!
• A sense of trust

Information and Logistics

• That parents have an understanding of  the classroom program/procedures
• They understand the goals of the class and student expectations
• That parents see I know this age group and the curriculum
• That parents understand my approach to teaching and learning
• That parents know the logistics, schedules, important days, upcoming field experiences, etc 
• Understand the communication policies/protocols
• Class procedures around homework and assessment

Back-to-School Night at Saklan goes beyond curriculum and schedules; it’s about building a supportive, collaborative community around your child. As we come together, we reinforce our commitment to care, partnership, and educational excellence, setting the stage for a year of growth and connection.

Warmly, 

David

#HeadsCorner

If you were able to join us last Friday night at the Peace, Love, Saklan Auction, you might already know this exciting news: Linda Lathrop has been nominated to the PBLWorks National Faculty. This prestigious position places Linda among just 75 educators who are collaborating with PBLWorks to train thousands of teachers across the United States and beyond.

Linda’s nomination is not only a testament to her hard work but also to the dedication and teamwork exemplified by our Saklan Faculty. Crafting and executing high-level project-based work demands courage and a willingness to be vulnerable—qualities our faculty possesses in abundance.

With Linda’s appointment, Saklan gains direct access to the expertise of PBLWorks, enhancing our deep commitment to project work. Even more remarkable is the fact that our innovative approaches at Saklan will influence educational practices worldwide, giving our school a voice in the global conversation about the future of education.

Building on this momentum, this year’s Fund-a-Need campaign is aimed at enhancing our facilities to foster truly effective and collaborative project based learning (PBL). While our educators are developing groundbreaking projects, our current physical spaces limit the full potential of their innovative teaching methods and our students’ learning experiences. This year’s campaign focuses on creating environments that support the dynamic nature of PBL, with adaptable furniture and technology designed to facilitate collaboration and creativity.

By supporting our Fund-a-Need initiative, you are investing in a future where education transcends traditional boundaries, empowering Saklan students to explore, innovate, and lead. Join us in crafting an environment that nurtures the thinkers, creators, and changemakers of tomorrow—right here at Saklan and around the world.

Thank you for your support and generosity,

David 

#SaklanPBL #SaklanHeadsCorner

Over the past two years, The Saklan School has transformed Project Based Learning (PBL) into an even more authentic and impactful experience, setting new benchmarks in educational innovation. We’ve significantly enriched our curriculum with a surge in field experiences, guest expert collaborations, and deep-dive project work. This evolution is driven by our commitment not just to spark our students’ curiosity and passion for learning but also to position Saklan at the forefront of redefining educational excellence for all students.

As we build on this momentum, our auction Fund-a-Need campaign this year is crucially focused on enhancing our facilities to support truly effective and collaborative PBL. While our educators are pioneering remarkable projects, the current physical spaces constrain the full potential of their innovative teaching and our students’ learning experiences. Elevating our facilities to align with our gold-standard PBL curriculum is essential for enabling our students to excel and illuminate their talents. Visualize with us the future of PBL classrooms at Saklan.

Imagine a PBL classroom that moves at the pace of imagination, where furniture shifts to support the ebb and flow of collaborative energy and creativity. In this adaptive setting, students and teachers seamlessly transition between layouts conducive to group or individual work. This environment is designed to minimize distractions and elevate concentration, with strategic lighting and acoustics setting the perfect stage for students’ creative expression.

Further, our envisioned PBL classrooms harness cutting-edge technology to connect students with a world of ideas and expertise. Through high definition monitors, advanced audio systems, and comprehensive digital tools, students can engage with thought leaders from diverse fields, fostering a learning experience that is not only interactive but also deeply resonant and personally relevant. 

By supporting our Fund-a-Need initiative, you’re investing in a future where education transcends traditional boundaries, where Saklan students are empowered to explore, innovate, and lead. Join us in shaping an environment that nurtures the thinkers, creators, and changemakers of tomorrow by attending this year’s Peace, Love, Saklan auction. It promises to be a great time for a wonderful cause.

#SaklanPBL #PeaceLoveSaklan

Dear Saklan Community,

Over the past year, our Saklan faculty and staff have dedicated themselves to developing our CAIS Accreditation Report. This detailed 142-page document examines 15 critical aspects that contribute to the excellence of an independent school, addressing everything from our educational approaches and parent community involvement to our facilities and governance.

All this work will culminate as we welcome the CAIS Accreditation Team to Saklan on Sunday. Their four-day visit is an important step in ensuring that Saklan continues to provide an exceptional educational experience for all students.

During their stay, the CAIS team will immerse themselves in various aspects of Saklan life, observing our classroom environments, community engagement, and the overall school atmosphere. Their objective is to assist us in recognizing our strengths and identifying potential areas for growth, ensuring our practices align with the highest educational standards.

The entire process provides Saklan with an opportunity for reflection and to showcase the caring environment of our school. It’s a chance to demonstrate our commitment to each student’s growth and collective dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences.

We invite our community to join us in welcoming the accreditation team and to attend a session where the committee will present their preliminary findings. This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, from 3:45 to 4:15, at Holy Trinity Church. We encourage all to attend. The full accreditation report will be published and available to our community in late spring.

I also want to take this moment to express my gratitude to Kim Parks for her immense dedication and hard work on the accreditation report. Thank you, Kim, for leading the CAIS Accreditation process and significantly contributing to Saklan’s growth.

Sincerely,

David

Why the student should be an integral part of “parent-teacher” conferences.

As a 3rd grader at Bulman Elementary School, I vividly recall waiting for my parents to return home from parent-teacher conferences. I was anxious about what my parents and Ms. Whickersham were going to talk about.  I adored my teacher and knew she loved me, but I was far from a perfect student.  

Sitting at home, I felt a sense of powerlessness, worrying about the discussions happening about my education without me. When my parents finally returned, they would share the teacher’s observations, and I would hastily add my own thoughts, eager to fill in what I believed were overlooked details. This often led to a sense of disconnection among my teacher, my parents, and myself, as if we were not fully understanding each other.

There were three important constituencies in this conversation, but one (me) was never represented except as a sidebar to the conversation. I missed a critical chance to talk about what was going well for me, what I was struggling with, or understand their perception of what they saw at home or school. Most importantly, I was not given the opportunity to take ownership of my learning.

At Saklan, when we invite students (K-8) to be involved in conferences, we send the message that we are in this together to celebrate their successes and support their challenges. As importantly, we are preparing them for life, teaching them the power of reflection and self-advocacy. 

Involving students in these conversations will empower them to take charge of their own learning journey and strengthen the partnership between teachers, parents, and students.

Warm regards,

David