075: Safe, Stretch, Stick: How Brain Science Transforms Teaching and Learning with Julia Skolnik and Stacy Robeson

Imagine knowing exactly how to create learning experiences that not only engage students but actually improve their brains. This fascinating conversation with Julia Skolnick, CEO of Professional Learning Partnerships, and second-grade teacher Stacy Robeson reveals the powerful intersection of neuroscience and education that every educator should understand.

At the heart of effective learning lies what Skolnick calls the "Safe, Stretch, Stick" model—a profound yet accessible framework grounded in brain science. When students feel psychologically threatened, their brains cannot process academic content. Students can take risks and stretch beyond their comfort zones only when they feel secure, ultimately making learning memorable.

This foundation expands into the "Six Gears" framework—trust, agency, passion, memorable, meaningful, and motivational—which provides a comprehensive approach to designing learning experiences that align with how our brains naturally work. Robeson brings these concepts to life through her classroom experiences, sharing how even second-graders thrive when given appropriate levels of agency and opportunities to pursue passions. 

Perhaps most compelling is the conversation around teacher agency and efficacy. Schools can revitalize educator passion and student learning outcomes by reclaiming protected spaces for teacher innovation and growth.

Ready to transform your teaching through brain science? Listen to this episode to start your journey toward creating classrooms where students learn more effectively and develop a genuine love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Connect with Julia via her via Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Check out the PLP website which hosts free resources, as well as a PLP Membership with access to digital modules, research-based frameworks and design tools, and more.