Head's Blog

Friends,

We used to call Synapse a lab school and we were explicit about it. In our marketing materials, our info sessions, even our wearable swag, we were loud and proud about being a lab school. Six Seconds, the non-profit that originally spawned Synapse, considered us their lab. We were a place for them to test out their SEL models and assessments, lessons and trainings. For a number of years, we did those things. We are now separate entities, operating independently as well as collaboratively, and we are no longer operating as their lab. 

Does this mean we are no longer a lab school? What does it even mean to be a lab school?

In a lab school, research insights about kids are shared with teachers to help them plan activities that meet student needs. Teachers gain professional knowledge, innovative ideas and insights, and by collaborating with researchers, they enhance their skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and experimentation. This pushes teachers to refine their methods and reflect on their practice. Kids also benefit. From one-on-one and group experiences with engaging and highly credentialed individuals, students get to participate in cutting-edge educational projects, and are exposed to new teaching methods, tools, and technologies. Being part of research and hands-on activities makes learning more interactive and stimulating, which can increase student engagement and curiosity. Each project is thoroughly reviewed to ensure it contributes value to the field of child development, is methodologically solid, and aligns with the school’s overall program. 

Therefore, it’s obvious: we are still operating like a lab school. Our Brainwave Learning Center (BLC) is the driver.

We have a unique opportunity here with our Brainwave Learning Center and our partnership with Stanford University. I want all of us to approach teaching with the mindset of a lab school — constantly exploring, experimenting and using research-based insights to shape our practice. Think of yourselves as both educators and researchers, collaborating with our internal Synapse staff of PhDs as well as the Stanford team of professors, researchers, post docs, and grad students, integrating our findings about how kids develop and learn. This partnership is about creating an environment where every classroom is a place of discovery for both the students and us as educators. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for you and your students and you will not experience anything like this anywhere else in the world. Think about that. No where else in the world is doing what we do with the BLC. Remarkable.

One more thought for you: I don’t need to point out to you what is going on in our country and beyond right now because the constant and ever present news cycle/feed has that covered. Here is the thing; I don’t believe we can retain a sense of self-efficacy, which is necessary for well-being, if we live within the news cycle. 

Make your life the news cycle. You can control that. The meaningful work you do, what you make (or order) for dinner, what you do with family and friends and pets, your hobbies and athletic/artistic/creative/volunteer pursuits should be your news cycle. At Synapse, we are a community that thinks and acts for ourselves and is unapologetic about embracing our joie de vivre. We don’t feel it’s an indulgence to make time for what's pleasurable, interesting, challenging or engrossing in life, especially when we share it with kids. 

Children love to imagine, to wonder. Wonder needs optimism, and optimism needs enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is needed if you want to make any progress doing anything meaningful in this world. Embrace it.

Cheers,

Jim