2020 Virtual Sessions
May 28, 3pm: Jen Cort
Parent-Teacher Relationships: Creating norms when nothing is normal
In this workshop, we will focus on creating norms in your classes, in meetings, with parents, and more. We will examine both in-person and virtual interactions while being particularly mindful of equity. Attendees will receive an epub with resources.
Jen Cort is an educational consultant and hosts an internationally syndicated podcast focusing on equity, inclusion, diversity, and justice. She has served as a principal, and counselor of lower, middle, and upper schools. Jen is a clinical social worker and since beginning consulting five years ago, has worked with over 150 schools around the country.
Jen’s philosophy is that all schools can and should be collaborating within and among themselves to create child-centered environments. It is Jen's belief that schools are obligated to provide environments where students can be seen and heard as well as to teach students to learn to be visible and use their voices in ways that work for them. Helping students feel visible and listened to is a mutual obligation. The adults in a school are called upon to create safe places for students to take an academic risk, speak their minds, try a new sport, audition for the play, and celebrate their authentic selves.
Find Jen: website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
June 4, 3pm: Jill Goodman
Families that Leave: What Can We Learn?
Feelings of defensiveness, sadness, confusion, anger, or relief can accompany the news that a family is leaving the school before graduation. Attrition is the tip of the information and emotional iceberg, and the final act of a customer who has found themselves in an arrangement that was not a good fit, or possibly, not as advertised. Once we shed the initial feelings about attrition, we can ask in-depth questions about the program and the parent experience at the school and to use that as an opportunity for self-reflection and assessment.
During this time of crisis, some school leaders are seeing a higher rate of attrition while others are seeing a higher rate of retention. By learning about the Six Components of Parent Retention participants will better understand parent behavior and learn how to create productive conversations within the faculty and administrative team as a result of unexpected enrollment changes.
Jill Goodman is an executive mentor and strategist with a diverse range of skills across the non-profit and educational sectors. With over 20 years of experience in developing high-level strategy, executing and growing core programs to forward the mission of numerous independent schools and organizations, Jill’s intense listening skills have helped her develop a reputation for providing exceptional, solution-oriented results. Her leadership mentoring experience spans every type of organization, from health initiatives like the Movember Foundation (known for its yearly international awareness campaign) to small, independent schools. Jill is well known for her presentations on educational advancement, grassroots marketing and branding, and parent and alumni relations, that have been well received by audiences across the country.
Jill hails from the Mid-Atlantic, growing up in an industrial Pennsylvania town, the daughter of a factory owner who had a strong philanthropic commitment. Immersed in an ethos of corporate responsibility and social entrepreneurship, Jill became involved in community initiatives from a very young age. She is a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia and now calls Baltimore, Maryland home. She and her husband like to bike, take in arts and cultural happenings, hike, cook using home-delivery meal services, and laugh with friends. They have two daughters and a son-in-law.
June 18, 3pm: Matt Bergman
Diamonds in the Rough: Hidden Tech Gems for Remote Learning
With recent events, education is quickly transforming and evolving to include remote learning components. Join Matt Bergman as he discusses lesser-known technology tools and strategies that can transform student learning. The session will focus on tools for creating high-quality learning experiences, increased engagement, and meaningful communication in remote learning environments.
Matt Bergman, M.Ed., is a Learning Technologies Specialist at The Milton Hershey School. Matt is passionate about infusing technology into instruction in meaningful, personalized, and accessible ways. He shares his passion through his blog, presentations, workshops, and keynote presentations. In addition to winning the 2015 PAECT Teacher of the Year, he is proud to be a Google for Education Certified Trainer, an Apple Educator, and a member of the CAST Professional Learning Faculty. Matt has presented at ISTE, Harvard University, The University of Toronto, PETE&C, Ohio SST 16, and numerous other venues across the globe.
Find Matt: bergman-udl.blogspot.com
June 25, 1pm: Debra Wilson
What To Know Now: Up to Date Legal Information and Your Questions Answered
Using her legal expertise and 20+ years of independent school experience, Debra will answer our questions and share much needed information to help us make better informed decisions about reopening in the fall.
Debra became the President of SAIS (Serving and Accrediting Independent Schools) in July 2019. She grew up in Connecticut, where she graduated from the Williams School, an independent school located on the campus of Connecticut College. Debra received her B.A. in English from Sewanee, The University of the South, and her J.D. from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. She previously served as general counsel for NAIS for 19 years. In addition to her role as chief legal officer, she has presented to school leaders around the country and abroad, including at many SAIS events. SAIS school leaders may also know her from phone calls and emails she’s fielded from member schools facing particular legal or governance issues. Before joining the NAIS staff, Debra was a tax litigator at the Department of Justice. She is an avid reader, photographer, and cook, and loves to be outdoors in the low country of South Carolina.
Find Debra: SAIS