Institute for Female Leaders in Education

 

For: Current and Aspiring Female School Leaders 

*Thank you to our 2020 - 2021 cohort!  This program is offered in alternate years.  We look forward to our next experience with this Institute, beginning in the Fall of 2022.*
 

This institute serves to promote personal and professional growth for current and aspiring female school leaders.  The program will be reflective, collaborative, and connective, leveraging the strengths of each member of the cohort.  With facilitation by veteran school leaders, consultants, and other women in leadership, we will navigate topics that challenge women on a path to leadership roles in schools.  The program seeks to empower women at all stages of their professional journey.  This five-part series will include:
 

Block I: What is Your Leadership Brand?  

This opening session of the 2020 - 2021 Institute for Female Leaders in Education will open the conversation about leadership, leadership brands, and leading with authenticity.  Through connecting activities and conversations, participants will begin the deep dive into reflecting upon leadership triumphs and tribulations in order to develop personal leadership brands. 

 

Block II: Mobilizing, Delegating, and De-Personalizing

As a leader, how do you mobilize, delegate, and empower your team?  Moreover, how do you de-personalize the criticism that will absolutely come with each decision you make as a leader?  This session will continue the reflection and connection activities in order for participants to engage with these challenges and opportunities that arise in leadership.

 

Block III: Finance, Fundraising, and the Fiduciaries 

School leadership has a far reaching landscape that can be both intimidating and enriching.  This session will provide an overview of school finance, key elements of fundraising, and also a discussion on working with Boards of Trustees, the fiduciaries.

 

Block IV:  Mentors, Sponsors, and Navigating Your Leadership Journey

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.

 

Block V: Closing Brunch

This closing experience features a keynote speaker and the opportunity to connect, to reflect, and to celebrate the leadership journey the cohort completed.

 

Institute Faculty:

 

Julia de la Torre is the first female Head of School in Moorestown Friends School history. Previously, she was Head of Upper School at Greenhills School (MI). Prior to assuming these roles in school leadership, Julia was the Executive Director of Primary Source, a Boston-area non-profit that provides global learning opportunities and study travel for K-12 teachers on a variety of world regions and global issues. She also served as Program Director at Primary Source, where she developed and implemented professional development programs for teachers.  A graduate of Haverford College, Julia taught French and chaired the Foreign Language Department at Kent Denver School in Englewood, CO, before serving in the Peace Corps in Moldova. Subsequently, she completed a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in International Educational Policy and a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership at the Boston University Questrom School of Business.  In her free time, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and son. Julia and her family enjoy travel, cooking, and anything outdoors — hiking, cycling, and running to name a few.

 

Jennifer C. Galambos is Head of School at Kent Place School, an all-girls nonsectarian K - 12 school. She understands the need for an approachable, innovative, and creative leader who is dedicated to advancing Kent Place School’s mission and to preparing girls and young women for a global future. She earned her doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University; her master’s degree in education with a concentration in private school leadership from Loyola University; and her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Franklin and Marshall College. Early in her independent school career, Jennifer was the Middle School principal at the Bullis School (MD); Director of Admission at Green Farms Academy (CT); Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Saddle River Day School (NJ); and a history teacher, dorm parent, and coach at the Perkiomen School (PA). More recently, she spent nine years at Bryn Mawr School, in Baltimore, as the Assistant Head of School and Upper School Director. Before that, she was its Middle School Director. In addition, Jennifer has served on numerous Boards, presented at annual conferences, and been a nationally ranked tennis player.

Amy Miles Ziebarth currently serves as Head of Far Brook School, a progressive co-ed Nursery-Eighth Grade school.  She presided over the largest capital campaign in Far Brook’s history. Funds raised built a state-of-the art Music  and Arts Building, Science and Environmental Center, and Woodshop, and added close to 13,000 sq.ft. of space to the campus.  Amy has led and championed a school-wide commitment to diversity and inclusion work. For the past four years, Far Brook has planned and hosted a NJ Independent School Diversity Conference attended by more than 200 members of the community.  Prior to Far Brook, Amy worked at NJ SEEDS for 15 years, 10 of those years as Executive Director, playing a pivotal role in expanding educational opportunities for young people in New Jersey.  In her tenure as Executive Director, Amy quadrupled the annual operating budget of NJ SEEDS, increased the number of students served, and moved the headquarters from Hightstown, NJ to the heart of downtown Newark so that students and their parents would have access via public transportation to consult with staff members or volunteer their time.  During her leadership, Amy launched the Young Scholars Program and the College Preparatory Program (CPP). She also led a successful $6 million capital campaign, earning SEEDS recognition from the Partnership in Philanthropy.  Amy holds a B.A. from Colgate University and a master’s degree from Drew University. She began her career in 1985 at Kent Place School in Summit, NJ, her alma mater. She taught Middle School history and then served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.  Ms. Ziebarth has written about the need for educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in the New York Times and has appeared on CNN and other news programs.  She lives with her husband and their three children.