These workshops have been developed for the use of NJAIS members only and are not to be downloaded, copied, used, or distributed without permission.

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION SERIES:

 

Gender Expansive School Communities

 

Hosted via:

 

This series includes the following topics:

Case Studies in Gender Inclusion

Faith and Gender Identity

Gender 101: Identity and Expression

Gender Support Plan: A Guide for Your School Community

Mental Health and Support for Kids Who are Questioning Gender Identity

Navigating the Legal Aspects of Gender Inclusion

Understanding Gender Identity and Expansiveness

When the Adults Don't Understand Gender Expansiveness

 

This series has ended.  Please contact Rachel Folan, rfolan@njais.org, if you would like access to the available session recordings.
 

 

Wednesday, December 7, 2022; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  
Understanding Gender Identity and Expansiveness

This workshop will provide an introduction and in-depth exploration of topics related to gender diversity including understanding gender identity, terminology, and youth’s experiences with these topics. The session will address common myths related to gender-diverse youth and provides take-home steps for school personnel.

Presented by: Emma C. Woodward, PhD is a psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Woodward has a specialized interest in the evaluation and clinical care of children and families managing anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, selective mutism, separation anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She also has specialized experience with youth managing gender dysphoria.  Dr. Woodward has been extensively trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, with specialty training in exposure and response prevention (CBT-ERP), aimed at relieving the symptoms of OCD and anxiety disorders. She has experience with individual, family and group therapy in diverse settings including children’s hospitals, outpatient clinics and community mental health clinics. Dr. Woodward’s past work includes assessment and treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders in youth ages 5-18 years old. She has also co-authored several scholarly articles for several journals, including Journal of Anxiety Disorders and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, related to youth anxiety outcomes.

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2021; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
Mental Health and Support for Kids Who are Questioning Gender Identity

*Please attend or view the recording of Understanding Gender Identity and Expansiveness prior to engaging in this session*

It’s common for kids to question their gender identity and sexual orientation, but the process can be confusing and scary. This session will outline guidelines and considerations for school personnel when students have questions or concerns about their gender identity or sexual orientation.  Dr. Emma Woodward will highlight teacher specific support, how to work in partnership with parents, and in what ways questioning students may need adult advocacy.

Presented by: Emma C. Woodward, PhD is a psychologist in the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Woodward has a specialized interest in the evaluation and clinical care of children and families managing anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, selective mutism, separation anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She also has specialized experience with youth managing gender dysphoria.  Dr. Woodward has been extensively trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, with specialty training in exposure and response prevention (CBT-ERP), aimed at relieving the symptoms of OCD and anxiety disorders. She has experience with individual, family and group therapy in diverse settings including children’s hospitals, outpatient clinics and community mental health clinics. Dr. Woodward’s past work includes assessment and treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders in youth ages 5-18 years old. She has also co-authored several scholarly articles for several journals, including Journal of Anxiety Disorders and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, related to youth anxiety outcomes.

 

Thursday, January 12, 2023; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Gender 101: Identity and Expression

 

“As I looked at each facet of gender, I needed to fix it with a definition, just long enough for me to realize that each definition I came up with was entirely inadequate and needed to be abandoned in search of deeper meaning.”  
Kate Bornstein, Gender Outlaw

Many independent schools have taken important steps to be more inclusive and supportive of their transgender and nonbinary students.  This workshop will begin with some basic exercises to develop a common understanding and shared vocabulary around gender and sexuality.  We will also review the primary issues facing transgender and nonbinary students in schools and discuss how to better support them.

Presented by: Nicole Hager is the Director of the Upper School at Kent Place School.  She previously served as Dean of Students at Northfield Mount Hermon, a Grade 9–12 all-gender boarding and day school in Gill, Massachusetts for 17 years. Before that, Nicole was at Deerfield Academy as an English teacher, college advisor, coordinator of multicultural education, associate dean of students, and admission counselor. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dartmouth College and is a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame. She also earned an MFA, in creative nonfiction, from Bay Path University.

 

Monday, January 23, 2023; 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Faith and Gender Identity

This panel presentation will examine the intersection of religious values and gender identity and expression.  With support of three religious communities, this session will outline considerations when supporting students and partnering with families and other constituents.

Presented by:
Dr. Robyn Blum, Kindergarten - Grade 8 Principal at Krieger Schechter Day School of  Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Fr. David Cregan, OSA, Ph.D., Associate Dean at theCollege of Professional Studies, Villanova University
The Reverend Julie M. Hoplamazian, Associate Rector at St. Michael's Church 
Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, Head of School at Krieger Schechter Day School of  Chizuk Amuno Congregation

 

Tuesday, January 31, 2023; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
When the Adults Don't Understand Gender Expansiveness

For many of our students, gender expansiveness requires no thought or confusion.  This is not true for the adult population who did not come of age during a time when pronouns were commonplace and gender fluidity welcome.  This session will outline some of the reasons our students have an easier time understanding and accepting gender expansiveness and how adults - teachers and parents - can learn and grow in this area.

Presented by: Jen Cort's career blends her experience as a clinical social worker and educator.  Her educational administrative experiences are as an Assistant Head of Lower School, Head of a Middle School, and senior administrator.  Jen's therapy background includes serving as a counselor in Lower, Middle and Upper Schools as well as private practice.  Jen went into consulting after seeing a need for supporting schools to live out their missions regarding diversity and inclusion such that students can be seen and heard while learning to be visible and use their voices in productive ways.  Jen Cort speaks at national conferences including NAIS, POCC, National Small Schools Conference, and Association of Middle Level Educators.  She is published online and in journals including NAIS, Racing Toward Diversity, and Raising Race Conscious Children.  Jen works with schools around the United States and in Canada and is the host of a podcast, Third Space, providing diversity education by leading experts.

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023;  1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Gender Support Plan: A Guide for Your School Community

The Gender Support Plan is a specific tool / document developed by Gender Spectrum in order to create a shared understanding about what support for individual gender expansive young people looks like.  This session will guide schools through this tool that includes topics such as names, pronouns, and other ways in which schools can ensure support for gender expansive students in their communities.

Presented by: Carla Peña (they/them or she/her), Director of Training at Gender Spectrum

 

Wednesday, February 8, 2023; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 
Navigating the Legal Aspects of Gender Inclusion

From communicating with parents to school trips and bathrooms and more, this session will provide legal guidelines and considerations for schools regarding gender inclusion and supporting all gender identities.

Presented by: Stefani Schwartz, a founding member of the Hatfield Schwartz Law Group, provides comprehensive legal counsel to numerous independent schools throughout the State.  Her areas of expertise include discrimination and harassment laws; corporate governance; disability and medical leave issues; EEO compliance; Federal and State employment laws; hiring, discipline and terminations; internal investigations; human resource audits; management employee training; wage and hour laws; restrictive covenants and trade secrets; and handbook reviews.  Ms. Schwartz appears in State and Federal Courts, labor arbitration proceedings, and administrative agencies such as the EEOC, New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, and the Department of Labor.  Stefani is an active member of the legal and non-legal communities, serving on many Boards and committees for nonprofit organizations, private companies, and professional associations.  She is often asked to speak on areas such as sexual harassment, discrimination in the workplace, and employment policies and handbooks at seminars and conferences.  Stefani earned her bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College, and her MPA and JD from Rutgers University.  She also enjoys competitive horse show jumping.  In addition to supporting NJAIS through her legal work, her commitment is evidenced as both of Ms. Schwartz’s children have graduated from NJAIS schools.

 

Thursday, February 16, 2023; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Case Studies in Gender Inclusion

*Please attend or view the recording of Gender 101 and Navigating the Legal Aspects of Gender Inclusion prior to engaging with this session*

“When someone with the authority of a teacher describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of  psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.”  
Adrienne Rich

Beginning where “Gender 101” ended, we will review basic vocabulary and the fundamental issues facing schools who are working to be more gender inclusive.  We will explore these issues through several case studies.

Presented by: Nicole Hager is the Director of the Upper School at Kent Place School.  She previously served as Dean of Students at Northfield Mount Hermon, a Grade 9–12 all-gender boarding and day school in Gill, Massachusetts for 17 years. Before that, Nicole was at Deerfield Academy as an English teacher, college advisor, coordinator of multicultural education, associate dean of students, and admission counselor. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Dartmouth College and is a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame. She also earned an MFA, in creative nonfiction, from Bay Path University.

 

 

NJAIS Member Schools:
$450 for schools with enrollment of 200 and fewer
$600 for schools with enrollment of 201 - 500
$750 for schools with enrollment of 501 - 750
$900 for schools with enrollment of 751+ 

Non-Member Colleagues:
$1,500 for subscription series enrollment