What We Do
We empower educators to use brain science to design school experiences that allow students and staff to thrive.
Why We Do It
We envision a world where people love to learn and work in schools.
We believe brain science is the key to making this possible.
We believe partnerships are the key to making this sustainable.
How We Do It
We collaborate with school districts to design customized partnerships that empower changemakers at different levels across the system.
Partnerships are designed to last over multiple years and prioritize aligning brain science with the unique vision and culture of each district community.
Meet Our Team
Julia Skolnik, MSEd
CEO & FOUNDER
Julia founded Professional Learning Partnerships (PLP) to empower educators and leaders to leverage brain science as a tool for meaningfully transforming learning, leadership, and culture in K-12 schools.
Her passion for connecting brain science with education sparked over 20 years ago when she was simultaneously studying elementary education and cognitive sciences, and was both curious and disappointed about why these fields were so disconnected. This passion has deepened over her career through teaching in schools, leading museum-based national professional development programs, conducting research in both cognitive neuroscience learning science laboratories, and now leading PLP.
As CEO, Julia creates the overarching vision for PLP, designs innovative and research-based professional learning programs that transforms both individual practice and educational systems, and cultivates long-term partnerships with leaders across our network. She also is fortunate to lead PLP’s outstanding team of expert specialists below!
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Emily Early
SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER
Emily manages our operations, systems, and partnership projects. She is also the Senior Network Manager at the National Girls Collaborative Project.
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Jillian Clark
SENIOR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER
Jillian manages our partnerships and professional learning programs. She is also the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement at Drexel University.
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Kathryn Markloff
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
Kathryn develops and co-facilitates professional learning sessions, specializing in mentoring new teachers. She is an instructional coach at Perkiomen Valley School District, and is a co-owner of Innovation Station.
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Erika Ciccone
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
Erika develops and co-facilitates professional learning sessions, specializing in mentoring new teachers. She also teaches at Pocopson Elementary School and is a co-owner of Innovation Station.
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John Wagner
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
John supports the development of our professional learning programs, specializing in project-based learning and the needs of new leaders. He is also the Assistant Principal at Radnor Elementary School.
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Tara Cox
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SPECIALIST
Tara develops and co-facilitates professional learning sessions specializing in STEM, equity, and innovation, utilizing her deep expertise in these areas. She is also the Assistant Director of Programs at the National Girls Collaborative Project.
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Dr. Leidy Klotz
RESEARCH ADVISOR
Leidy advises on our programs from his lens as an expert in the research of subtraction and behavioral science. He is a professor of engineering at University of Virginia, and author of Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less.
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Dr. Paul Zak
RESEARCH ADVISOR
Paul advises our programs from his deep expertise in the neuroscience of trust. He is the founder of Immersion Neuroscience, professor at Claremont Graduate University, and author of Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies.
Our Partner Network
We are proud to partner with a national network of innovative schools, districts, and educational nonprofit organizations, who are committed to improving learning and leadership with brain science.
Who Participates?
Everyone in a school community benefits from learning about the brain, including teachers and administrators as well as students and families.
Each district designs a customized partnership of services each year, that matches their specific needs and goals for these audiences that year. This allows learning about the brain, learning, and leadership to reach new audiences in deeper ways each year of our partnership.
We prioritize equity.
Professional Learning Partnerships is committed to fostering communities of belonging and empowerment in education. We believe that every student and adult has the right to feel safe and supported in being their authentic selves both inside and outside of schools.
“Your language, actions, and facilitation style model the delicate and critical balance between understanding adult learners and having empathy for them. The way you delivers content and facilitate the session also balances how credible and approachable they are, and that balance builds trust.”
— Michelle Gill, Social Emotional & Academic Learning Coordinator, Centennial School District