New “Moonshot Grant” Will Launch Leadership Synchronization Lab for PA Education Leaders

Catalyst @ Penn GSE has been awarded a $50,000 Moonshot Grant from Remake Learning to launch the Leadership Synchronization Lab, an innovative new program designed to reimagine how Pennsylvania’s educational leaders learn to navigate rapidly changing workforce dynamics, technological disruption, divisive political contexts, evolving governance expectations, and increasing student and community needs. 

Developed in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) and Penn GSE’s Center for School Study Council (CSSC), the Leadership Synchronization Lab will bring together superintendents, Intermediate Unit executive directors, senior leadership teams and district executives for a collaborative learning experience focused on workforce sustainability, leadership efficacy, organizational health and human flourishing.

“At its core, the project asks a simple but important question: What conditions must exist for educators, leaders, and students to thrive?” says Tim Foxx, CSSC director. “Through this work, we hope to better understand how neuroscience-informed leadership practices can help leaders create environments where adults and students alike can learn, perform, and flourish at their highest levels.

The project represents a significant departure from traditional professional development models in an experimental, real-world pilot that tests a fundamentally new approach to systems leadership that leverages statewide infrastructure, intermediate unit leadership networks, and global expertise.

“Public education systems are confronting a level of complexity never before experienced,” says Catalyst Executive Director Michael Golden, a former Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Education who serves as principal investigator for the project. “From workforce shortages and technological disruption to increasing student needs, educational leaders are being asked to manage growing challenges. Our Leadership Synchronization Lab seeks to address those realities through a new model of leadership development grounded in research, practice and cross-sector expertise.” 

“What makes the opportunity particularly exciting,” adds Foxx, “is that it positions Catalyst and the Center not simply as facilitators of learning, but as participants in a statewide learning community.” 

The one-year pilot will begin implementation during the 2026–27 academic year, leveraging Pennsylvania’s Intermediate Unit network to engage leaders from rural, suburban and urban communities. Organizers believe the statewide scope creates a unique opportunity to explore common leadership challenges while learning from diverse local contexts. 

Since 2021, Remake Learning has catalyzed more than 100 “Moonshot” ideas—bold innovations for the future of learning—totaling more than $4.5 million invested. Foxx believes Catalyst’s project was a good match for the Moonshot Grants because it combines innovation, collaboration and learner-centered design and builds on existing, statewide school leadership infrastructure. 

The $50,000 grant is, according to Foxx, an opportunity to create something bigger than any one organization.

“If successful, the most important outcome will not be a program or framework,” he says. “It will be a stronger statewide learning community, deeper collective understanding, and a shared commitment to creating the conditions in which Pennsylvania's educators, families, communities and students can flourish. We are honored to be part of that work and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside so many extraordinary leaders throughout the Commonwealth.”