Category: Head’s Corner

Head’s Corner: Power of Agency

Agency- Latin agentia “ability,” and ag(ere) “to do, drive”

Over the Winter Break, I received several emails from parents sharing with me a New York Times opinion piece they felt described Saklan perfectly. The article “Giving Kids Some Autonomy Has Surprising Results” should not be a surprise to anyone familiar with our work at Saklan.

“Agency” is a core value at Saklan. Students having “voice and choice” in their learning is a central tenet of Project Based Learning and our approach to SEL. Student agency honors students’ experiences and curiosities while giving them a locus of control over their lives. In short, it creates “buy-in” to learning. 

According to surveys by the Brooking Institution, very few students feel they have control over what they are learning. “The more time they spend in school, the less they feel like the author of their own lives, so why even try.”

In a majority of classrooms today, teachers introduce a topic and share with students what they will be learning. They have their standards to check off and material to cover. Just looking at those two sentences feels dispiriting.

Why not introduce a topic, ask students what they know about the topic (they know so much more than we often realize), and ask them what they want to investigate next? There are subtle differences between these two approaches, but student engagement is markedly different in the one that gives agency.

Giving agency raises academic standards by requiring students to invest in their own learning, reflect on their progress, and course-correct. If that sounds familiar, it is what we do as adults in our working lives. 

Agency creates a love of learning and a love in learning- and as if that is not enough to convince society that this is the right approach to education then a look at our standardized testing data should convince the doubters. 

Head’s Corner: Saklan Tuition Assistance

At Saklan, we strive to make education available to families who share what matters most to us: a love of learning and love in learning. Our tuition assistance program is part of that commitment, helping to create a vibrant community that strengthens our school.

Families are often surprised to learn that tuition assistance isn’t just for families with a below-average income. Our tuition assistance supports a wide range of family circumstances and income levels. Whether you’re managing multiple children’s educational needs, working to support your parents, or experiencing an unusual financial event, we encourage you to explore your options. While we can’t guarantee assistance to every family that applies, we work diligently to support as many qualified applicants as possible.

Moreover, we understand the sensitive nature of financial discussions. All aspects of tuition assistance applications are handled with confidentiality. Only our financial aid committee has access to your information, and all applications and decisions are kept private.

We are dedicated to growing and fostering our community. Applications for Tuition Assistance for the 2025-26 school year are now available through Clarity. If you have any questions concerning your eligibility for tuition assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Mylesa, Saklan’s Director of Admissions, at admissions@saklan.org.

Head’s Corner: Activating Oxytocin

Recently, I shared a blog about how emotions drive high academic achievement. In short, when students feel emotionally connected to what they’re learning and who they’re learning with, strong academics follow. This month, I’d like to dive a little deeper into the science behind this connection and explore the role oxytocin plays in academic success.

Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is released in the brain in response to positive social interactions. It plays a powerful role in learning by deepening connection, trust, and emotional well-being—all of which help students thrive academically. When oxytocin levels rise, students feel more connected and supported, lowering anxiety and creating a sense of security. This emotional safety is essential: it allows students to focus, think creatively, and remember what they’ve learned.

But Oxytocin does even more. It strengthens emotional memory, meaning lessons tied to positive, supportive experiences are more likely to stay with students. It also boosts empathy, fostering teamwork and cooperation that strengthens learning. Oxytocin makes learning meaningful and rewarding—values that lie at the very heart of the Saklan Approach. By creating an environment where students feel truly connected and supported, we’re nurturing not only their academic success but also their sense of belonging and purpose, setting them up to thrive both in school and beyond.

Warmly,

David  

Head’s Corner: The Importance of Risk

Think back to your favorite childhood play memory. Where were you? What were you doing? Was there an adult supervising you?

This past weekend, I took my daughter to the Adventure Playground in Berkeley. For those of you who have not been there, the best way to describe it would be a playground built by kids and made out of items found in a scrapheap. It is also a playground in constant transition; kids are given saws, hammers, nails and paint in order to “make improvements” to current structures. Adults are around, keeping an eye out, but are also encouraged to keep suggestions and advice to themselves. To my adult eyes, the place looked like a liability lawyer’s dream. To my daughter, it was the best playground ever, splinter and all. To Marioni Brussoni, the author of Why Children Need Risk, Fear and Excitement in Play it likely strikes an ideal balance between risk and a safety net. As she puts it, “Children should be kept as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.”

Brussoni writes, that like all mammals, children are wired for risky play, as it provides opportunities to develop physically and cognitively and face new and unusual challenges. It helps them overcome fears, enhances creativity, and scratches the itch of curiosity. Often, though, our own fears and modern societal expectations get in the way of a child’s opportunity to learn. Since the 1970’s children have seen a significant decline in unstructured free time and outdoor play.  Too often kids’ experiences are curated, and supervised. While independent playtime, freedom, and opportunity for adventure have dropped, screen time has increased.  

As parents and educators, we must strike a balance between safety and individual growth.  Allowing children to experience risk and fear, does not mean parents are neglecting their duty of care; but in fact, fulfilling a crucial part of it. We are giving them the tools they need to navigate life’s uncertainties with resilience and creativity.

Oh, and one of my favorite childhood memories. Ten-year-old me, during winter in Michigan, trying to cross an iced-over creek with my friends.  I clearly remember the sound of cracking ice, trying to scurry to safety, plunging in the cold water, and the freezing walk home. 

Warmly, 

David

P.S.  If you have time, the linked article is worth a read.

P.P.S. If you attended this morning’s SEL session, you can access the slide deck here.

Head’s Corner: We Are “Really Doing It”

Last year, a Saklan Trustee and I had the privilege of attending the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Heads and Trustees Conference. This annual gathering brings together nearly 500 school leaders and trustees, all focused on learning, sharing ideas, and discussing the future of independent schools.

During one of the many breakout sessions, we found ourselves mingling with trustees and heads from other independent schools, exchanging experiences and posing questions to each other. Among all the conversations that day, one in particular stood out. As we discussed various educational models, the topic of Project Based Learning (PBL) came up. A fellow school leader, well-acquainted with the educational landscape of the Bay Area, turned to the group and said: “There are lots of schools in the Bay Area claiming to be PBL schools, but Saklan is the only one really doing it.”

This simple statement was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. When we embarked on this journey to make PBL a cornerstone of Saklan’s approach, our goal wasn’t just to enhance academic rigor and engagement. We aimed to redefine what rigor and high engagement should look like in a modern school setting.

This week, we took another step in that journey by officially launching a video that showcases the incredible work we’ve been doing at Saklan. This is more than just a celebration of our accomplishments; it’s an invitation for others to see how we’re shaping the future of education—where students are deeply engaged, challenged, and, most importantly, truly prepared for the world ahead.

At Saklan, we’re not just talking about Project Based Learning. We’re living it. And we’re proud to say—we’re really doing it.

Warmly, 

David

#HeadsCorner

Head’s Corner: The Power of Emotion

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

Head’s Corner: The Power of Love in Learning

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 

Head’s Corner: Being Intentional about Back-to-School Night

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

Engaging, Insightful Work

As we approach the end of the year, we would be remiss not to pause and reflect on the past two weeks. From the delightful and hilarious Middle School Musical and impressive and thought-provoking Art Show, to two PBL Culminations that showcased deep, authentic project work, our students demonstrated their creativity and courage. Their work has been engaging, insightful, and truly representative of who we are at Saklan.  

Our Hoot Owls shot beyond the stars with their Space Culmination exploration of the moon, sun, Earth, our solar system, space objects, and rockets! Meanwhile, our 6th graders designed and created a Museum dedicated to exploring how we are still connected to Ancient Greek culture, language, and mythology today. Thank you to our dedicated ECE team and Linda for providing our students with the invaluable opportunity to explore these topics in such depth.

Thank you to Lauren for bringing the Art Show to life. It was a fantastic event, showcasing the creativity and hard work of all Saklan students. Lauren’s dedication to the artistic process and her support in helping students explore their creativity shone through every piece. We also appreciate the time she took to meticulously organize the art, create engaging scavenger hunts, and manage all the details that made the event a resounding success!

Thank you to Grace for directing our middle school students’ wonderful performance of Into the Woods at Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette last Friday evening. For 16 years, Grace has directed extraordinary shows at Saklan, and this last one was no exception. Her hard work, dedication, and love for the students was evident throughout the show. Her casting created magic on the stage, allowing the students to shine brightly. Inspiring middle school students to share their creativity, compassion, and courage on stage is no easy feat, but Grace does it with ease year after year. Thank you!

None of these events would be successful without the help of our community. Teachers, parents, and administration all come together to support and make each one possible. Thank you to all those (too many to mention) helping hands.

Thank you to the Saklan students for sharing their work with us; it is inspiring for all of us to witness their voices and ideas reflected in these culminating events!

With gratitude,

David  

Nurturing the Thinkers, Creators, and Changemakers of Tomorrow

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