The Brain & Learning Lab is located in Room 200. Lab
faculty Camilla Calkins ("Doc
C") and Sanni Keskimaki
("Ms. K")work with individual students to support the
development of executive functions – the
mental
activities that enable students to successfully engage in
independent, goal-directed behaviors. Executive functions include
self-monitoring, organization, planning, prioritizing, task
initiation, persistence and general strategic thinking.
Lab faculty
emphasize how learning can be maximized through an understanding of
how learning occurs in the brain. In addition, they train students
in the use of effective learning strategies, metacognition, and
self-advocacy skills.
Additional
services provided by the Lab include referrals for educational and
other professional assessments. When recommendations for
assessments by outside professionals are made, and/or when there
are documented learning challenges, Lab faculty act as liaisons
between outside professionals and the school, and between families
and teachers. They also coordinate accommodations in classes and
provide ongoing case management.
As part of
the Middle School student support team, Lab faculty help coordinate
academic support plans. Content support, particularly in math, is
also available on a limited basis. For longer-term content support,
referrals are made to professional tutors who are available on a
fee basis to work with students. Space is available in the Lab for
outside tutors to meet with students on campus.
In addition
to academic and learning support, Lab faculty also work with Life
Skills teachers to integrate executive function support and
learning strategies into the curriculum. Additionally, Lab faculty
coordinate and administer the Comprehensive Testing Program
(CTP-IV) standardized testing completed by 6th and
8th graders each year and present workshops in topics
relevant to teaching and learning for faculty from time to
time.
Brain & Learning Lab Coordinator Camilla Calkins (aka Dr. C)
and Brain & Learning Lab Specialist Sanni Keskimaki are
available to consult with
parents, teachers and students regarding the aforementioned
topics. Students may access support by dropping in during the day
during lunches, free periods or study halls, or by scheduling an
appointment. Drop-in support is also available some afternoons
during after school study hall. Parents and guardians may access
department services by dropping by, or via phone call or
email.
Camilla Calkins (206)
440-2782
Sanni Keskimaki (206) 440-2883
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