2020-2021 Professional Development

NJAIS offers many different Professional Development opportunities for faculty, administrators, and Trustees.  We aim to be relevant and responsive, and welcome your ideas and participation in these workshops and conferences.

 

NJAIS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES

EVENT CALENDAR 2020 - 2021

We will be adding to and updating these offerings frequently.  Please check back for the latest professional growth offerings.

Contact Rachel Folan, rfolan@njais.org, with any questions, suggestions, or partnership ideas.

 

 

Tuesday, March 2, 2021:
INSTITUTE FOR FEMALE LEADERS IN EDUCATION
BLOCK IV: MENTORS, SPONSORS, AND NAVIGATING YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

For: 2020 - 2021 Female Leaders Cohort

 

Leadership trajectories nearly all fall into one of four patterns.  In this session you will learn the four patterns that influence career paths and discuss how you've seen those patterns play out in your own professional journey. The session will then lay the groundwork for your own development as a school leader by reflecting on the latest research on core strengths and weaknesses, purpose, networking, and mentorship versus sponsorship.  We will also explore the differences between the work of mentorship and that of sponsorship in supporting and promoting successful careers in educational leadership. The session also includes input on your resume and feedback on aligning your job aspirations with your leadership brand and personal obligations.

 

 

Wednesday, March 3, 2021:
CYBERSECURITY

For: Board Members, Heads of School, Finance Officers, and Technology Coordinators
 

This informative and interactive session delivers a content-packed session focused on must-know cybersecurity concepts for today’s financial officers, Heads of School, and Trustees in independent education. The session will highlight the relationship between cybersecurity and a school’s bottom line, and provide insight into how intelligent asset allocation can align IT investment with business objectives.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Seminars for Ongoing Learning in School Governance.  You can register for this experience here: https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=462

 

Saturday, March 20, 2021:
THE RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF STRATEGIC PLANNING NOW

For: Board Members, Heads of School, and School Leadership Teams

Strategic planning is both an opportunity and a risk. It can be as dangerous as  it can be healthy, depending on the approach and timing chosen. Some Heads and Boards are feeling that their plates are full and that long-term planning should be postponed. Others are moving ahead in order to capture the opportunities that have emerged but are wondering who should be involved in the process? Parents, teachers, and alumni have a lot of opinions these days including more attention to DEI.  School leaders need to look past the current obstacles, think "big," and proceed optimistically but with caution.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Seminars for Ongoing Learning in School Governance.  You can register for this experience here: https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=462

 

Wednesday, April 7, 2021; 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
DOING LIFE WITH MANDELA - MY PRISONER, MY FRIEND: LESSONS FROM A WARDER AND HIS PRISONER

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

During these challenging times, we would like to offer a unique opportunity to allow educators to engage their students with Christo Brand, former Prison Warder and personal friend of Nelson Mandela. Christo will share a living testimonial of Mandela’s time in prison and his release. He is one of a select few who can offer authentic insights into Mandela’s thoughts, reflections and hope for humanity. It is a truly inspiring story that all students should hear. Christo was Mandela’s warder for 12 years and became a close friend of his – right up until his death in 2013. At Mandela’s insistence, Christo co-wrote his autobiography titled Doing Life with Mandela; My Prisoner, My Friend.  Mandela chose the title of his book. Andrew Russell is a former teacher and the owner of Cape Africa Tours, organizing cultural and sporting tours to South Africa. During this session, Andrew will engage in a 35-minute Q&A session with Christo. You will see slides showing personal letters, notes and pictures of Christo over the course of his journey with Mandela, including landmarks in South Africa’s history such as Mandela’s freedom, inauguration as President and his funeral.  Participants will then have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with Christo.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

 

Thursday, April 8, 2021; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENT NEEDS FOR BLACK BOYS

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools
 

Description pending

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

Tuesday, April 13, 2021; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
WHEN YOUR FAMILY TREE HAS MANY ROOTS: SUPPORTING TRANSRACIAL ADOPTEES IN YOUR CLASSROOMS AND COMMUNITIES

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

Join us for a panel discussion with adult transracial adoptees (“TRAs”) from independent and public schools. Using personal narratives from panelists' own educational experiences and continued work in public and independent schools, this is a chance to learn how to best support TRA students and families, in order to make their experiences in our communities as inclusive as possible. In addition to telling their origin stories and experiences of working in schools as TRAs, panelists will provide time for questions and answers.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021; 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
DEVELOPING AND ANTI-RACIST CULTURAL FRAMEWORK FOR YOUR SCHOOL

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

America is waking up to issues of inequity and institutional racism, and independent school leaders and teachers are being called to transform school culture from one of tolerance and acceptance to a culture that is actively anti-racist. How do schools adopt an anti-racist cultural framework? This workshop examines this through four institutions: a lower school, a middle school, a day high school, and a boarding school; it highlights policies and programs, parent education, SEL programming, equity work, and classroom instruction and curriculum. Four administrators share their vision and experience implementing anti-racist culture in their schools across age range and geography.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

 

Thursday, April 15, 2021; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
SEX, GENDER, AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN THE CLASSROOM

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

How do our students' sex assignments, gender identities, and sexual orientations impact the way they experience our classrooms?  Do they find their schools well informed and open to these varied aspects of their identities?   When educators are not well versed in the differences between sex, gender, and sexual orientation they can create classroom and school practices that are, intentionally or unintentionally, discriminatory to students and other community members. Educators must be able to navigate this landscape in order to create equitable and just classrooms. This session will share suggestions for best practices, policies, and procedures.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

Tuesday, April 20, 2021; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEEDS FOR MARGINALIZED GROUPS

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

description pending

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

 

Wednesday, April 21, 2021; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
ON WHITENESS, AWARENESS, LEADERSHIP, AND ADVOCACY

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

This highly interactive session will start or continue your path of awareness relative to your whiteness.  By investigating how we each embody diversity, equity, and inclusion work relative to our school’s mission, we will take inventory of how we lean into the work.  As we must be involved in order to inspire our students to continue to build communities of belonging, we must also learn what we do and do not know about our own unearned advantages and how they might unknowingly influence our work.  This workshop will ask that you engage, reflect, and take an authentic inventory for the benefit of your own growth and for the support of your school community.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

Thursday, April 22, 2021; 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
DECENTERING BEAUTY AND SUCCESS FROM WHITENESS

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

Beauty and success has often been defined through white supremacist terms, lands, and systems. This has made it disproportionately challenging or fully impossible for people of color to keep up under those constraints. The Halo Effect has never worked in many BIPOC's favor. It is the cognitive bias suggesting that what is beautiful is good and is also referred to as the physical attractiveness stereotype. Beauty isn’t about taste but geopolitics, and there is a history of defining beauty and therefore attractiveness, familiarity, and trustworthiness that's centered on whiteness. And white supremacy solidified this by recruiting some of us to join them by calling Asians like Justine, the model minority. In this workshop, we will examine this type of oppression through a social-emotional lens. Attendees will be able to reflect on their own body image and the society that influences it.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

Wednesday, April 28, 2021; 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
RESPONSIBLE TEACHING IN A VIOLENT CULTURE

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

American society seems to be getting more polarized and more violent, but teachers—at every level—feel more trepidation than confidence about addressing issues that are even slightly controversial. This workshop empowers teachers to develop strategies that allow them to be proactive rather than reactive, to operate from a clear affirmative stance rather than respond only when a nasty incident forces the issue. Based on Koritha’s expertise regarding how violence functions and the purpose of all forms of violence (from hate speech to physical attacks), this workshop emphasizes philosophical approaches teachers can adopt and offers concrete practices that put theory into motion. Instructors will leave with conceptual frameworks they can use to assess the strategies they are currently using in the classroom, but they will also be able to use the frameworks to develop additional strategies. As important, instructors will leave the session with activities they can immediately take into the classroom.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

Friday, April 30, 2021:
INSTITUTE FOR FEMALE LEADERS IN EDUCATION
BLOCK V: CLOSING BRUNCH

For: 2020 - 2021 Female Leaders Cohort
 

This closing experience will finally bring us together in person (fingers crossed)!  As such, it will be a time to connect, reflect, and celebrate the leadership journey the cohort completed.

 

Date TBD; 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
ALL OF US HERE: WELCOMING LATIX FAMILIES

For: Teachers and Administrators from Schools Subscribing to the Series, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our Schools

Latinx currently represent the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States. This significant demographic shift, however, has yet to manifest fully in independent schools, where Latinx represent one of the smallest ethnic demographics. This presentation will look into the barriers that inhibit Latinx representation in Independent Schools. Thissession unpacks new data and existing research that informs strategies for fostering truly equitable and inclusive independent school communities, including identifying obstacles. For instance, what are the steps being taken by school leaders to address this gap in attracting and retaining Latinx families? Additionally, what are some of the successful approaches and supports being implemented by independent schools? We hope to expand the conversation and raise questions, providing a forum for future discussion and potential (though preliminary) blueprint for action.

This program is included in our Subscription Series: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Our School.  It is available by subscription only.
You can register for this experience here: 
https://www.njais.org/cf_forms/view.cfm?formID=470

 

Completed or In-Progress Programs

 

Sunday, February 21, 2021:
SCHOOL INVESTIGATIONS

For: Boards of Trustees, Heads of School, and School Risk Management Teams

 

 

Thursday, February 11, 2021:

THE BOARD CHAIR/HEAD PARTNERSHIP

For:  Board Chairs and Heads of School

 

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021
BALANCING EXPECTATIONS AND SELF-CARE IN THE TIME OF COVID: TOOLS FOR THE OVERWHELMED TEACHER

For: All Educators

Wednesday, February 10, 2021
BUILDING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

For: Independent School Boards of Trustees, Heads of School, and School Risk Management Teams

Friday, February 5, 2021
VIRTUAL HIRING WORKSHOP: BEST PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS FOR RESUME READING, PROCESS, AND BIAS AWARENESS

For: Division Heads, Deans, Department Chairs, HR Directors, and others who oversee the hiring of classroom teachers
 

 

Sunday, January 31, 2021:
THREE KEYS TO EFFECTIVE SMALL SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

For: Trustees, Heads of School, and School Leadership Teams for Schools with enrollment of 350 or fewer students
Marketing Committees, MarCom Professionals, and other Board Members

 

 

Thursday, January 28, 2021:
A SOLID MARKETING AND ADVERTISING PLAN THAT PERSEVERES DURING A CRISIS 

For: Marketing Committees, MarCom Professionals, and other Board Members
 

 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021:
LONG-RANGE FINANCIAL PLANNING 

For: Finance Committees, Finance Officers, and other Board Members


 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021:
INSTITUTE FOR FEMALE LEADERS IN EDUCATION
BLOCK III: FINANCE, FUNDRAISING, AND THE FIDUCIARIES

For: 2020 - 2021 Female Leaders Cohort


 

Tuesday, January 26, 2021
MIND BRAIN EDUCATION CONFERENCE 

For: All Educators
 

Saturday, January 23, 2021
TRUSTEE ENRICHMENT DAY 

For: Trustees, Heads of School, and Executive Administrators

 

 

Thursday, January 21, 2021
EFFECTIVE OBSERVATION AND FEEDBACK IN 2021 AND BEYOND: SIX CORE TRUTHS

For: Division Heads, Deans, Department Chairs, and others who conduct classroom observations for the purpose of feedback and growth for teachers
 

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2020:
WHOSE BUSINESS IS BELONGING?
DEI Workshop for Business Officers

For: Business and HR Professionals
 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020:
INSTITUTE FOR FEMALE LEADERS IN EDUCATION
BLOCK II: MOBILIZING, DELEGATING, AND DE-PERSONALIZING

For: 2020 - 2021 Female Leaders Cohort
 

Tuesday, December 1, 2020:
DEBUNKING SOCIAL MEDIA MYTHS:
TELL YOUR STORY!

For: Admissions, MarCom, and Advancement Professionals

Wednesday, November 18, 2020:
BUDGETING IN THE COVID ERA

For: Finance Committees, Finance Officers, Heads of School, and Other Board Members



 

Tuesday, November 17, 2020:
TEACHING FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE
SESSION 3: FROM REFLECTION TO ACTION - CHOOSING TO PARTICIPATE

For: Classroom Teachers and Curriculum Leaders, 6 - 12


 

Thursday, November 12, 2020:
INSTITUTE FOR FEMALE LEADERS IN EDUCATION;
BLOCK I: WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP BRAND?

For: Current and Aspiring Female Leaders
 

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020:
HEAD OF SCHOOL SUPPORT:
AVOIDING BURNOUT

For: Board Members and Heads of School
 

 

Friday, November 6 AND November 13, 2020:
In Partnership with ATLIS
CYBER SAFETY WORKSHOP

For: Independent School Leaders
 

 

Thursday, November 5, 2020:
AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: DEBRIEF AND DISCUSS

For: All Educators
 

 

Thursday, October 29, 2020:
PREPARING FOR POST- ELECTION:
CONSIDERING HOW TO HANDLE THE OPENING MINUTES OF WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

For: All Educators, PK - 12


 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020:
ANTI-RACISM AND ADVANCEMENT

For: Advancement Teams including admissions officers, development officers, and MarCom professionals
 

 

Monday, October 26, 2020:
CLIMATE CHANGE, CLIMATE ANXIETY, AND A CALL FOR JUSTICE AND ACTION

**Fall Major Conference**

For: All Educators

Wednesday, October 21 OR Sunday, October 25, 2020:
TRUSTEE 101

For:  Newly Appointed Board of Trustee Members of Independent Schools or those in their first or second year serving on the Board

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2020:
TEACHING FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE
SESSION 2: MY PART OF THE STORY - EXPLORING IDENTITY IN THE UNITED STATES

For: Classroom Teachers and Curriculum Leaders, 6 - 12


 

Thursday, October 15, 2020:
UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT PHILANTHROPIC CLIMATE

For: Advancement Teams


 

Wednesday, October 7, 2020:
INNOVATIVE ADMISSIONS APPROACHES INSPIRED BY THE COVID-19 CRISIS

For: Admissions Officers


 

Wednesday, September 30, 2020:
SIMULTANEOUS IN-PERSON AND REMOTE LEARNERS: A PATHWAY TO INSTRUCTIONAL SUCCESS

For: Classroom Teachers and Academic Leaders
 

 

Thursday, September 24, 2020:
TEACHING FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE
SESSION 1: INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS

For: Classroom Teachers and Curriculum Leaders, 6 - 12
 

 

Friday, September 18, 2020:
HOW TO TELL YOUR SCHOOL'S STORY IN THE COVID ERA

For: Admissions Officers and MarCom Professionals
 

 

Thursday, September 3, 2020:

I'M NOT RACIST... AM I?
FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

For: All Educators, Especially School Leaders
 

 

Tuesday, September 1, 2020:

PREPARING YOUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

For: All Educators, Especially School Leaders
 

 

Wednesday, August 19, 2020:
TRAUMA-INFORMED SCHOOL RE-ENTRY: 
BEST PRACTICES AND ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

For: School Leaders, School Counselors, Deans of Students, Guidance Departments, and Advisors

 

Tuesday, August 18 - Thursday, August 20, 2020:
INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE WORKSHOP:
DESIGNING DIVERSE LEARNING EXPERIENCES WITH THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING IN MIND

For: All Teachers and Administrators
 

 

Monday, August 17, 2020:
LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARD: 
TEACHING WORLD LANGUAGE LEARNERS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

For: World Language Teachers
 

 

Wednesday, August 12, 2020:

WHY SCHOOLS NEED TO TALK ABOUT RACE AND RACISM, ESPECIALLY WHITE PEOPLE

For: All Educators
 

 

Monday, August 10, 2020:

RACE AND RACISM IN 2020: 
UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND WAYS TO DEVELOP RACIALLY LITERATE SCHOOLS

For: Faculty and School Administrators

 

Thursday, August 6, 2020:

UPDATED MEDICAL AND LEGAL GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL RE-ENTRY

For: Heads of School, Finance Officers, HR Managers, Health Professionals, and other Operations Personnel

 

 

Tuesday, August 4 - Wednesday, August 5, 2020:
INNOVATING INSTRUCTION CONFERENCE

For: All Teachers, Administrators, and Tech Directors
 

 

Tuesday, July 28 - Thursday, July 30, 2020:
MIND, BRAIN, AND EDUCATION AS A PLATFORM FOR EXCELLENCE IN A BLENDED LEARNING CLASSROOM

For: K - 8 Teachers and School Leaders