Welcome back and happy 2015! I hope you had a restful winter holiday. This issue features a number of maker labs in schools across the country where students are learning through diverse, cross-curricular, open-ended projects and experiments. These maker labs offer flexible environments that maximize learning and engagement, and teach critical STEAM skill sets. Students learn by doing and creating. These spaces capture the three elements Tony Wagner has identified as critical for today's learner: play, passion, and purpose.

The maker labs also demonstrate the highly collaborative and innovative nature of independent schools. Many schools have partnered with businesses, higher education, or other groups to organize their maker events or labs. Moreover, they searched for opportunities to engage the greater community and form new partnerships. These are exactly the types of collaborations that will elevate independent schools in the years to come.

We are also highlighting a book written by Al Calarco from the Center for Creative Leadership. Calarco will be facilitating the SAIS Heads Leadership Retreat April 19-20 in Nashville, TN. This will be a valuable event where leaders can connect with other heads, while exploring how to grow and nurture talent in their schools. Pre-register here. I hope to see you there.