AAIE's 2021 Virtual Global Leadership CONVERSATION
April 11-16, 2021
Humans of AAIE
Stories of Leading Through the Plague Years
The Schedule
Monday, April 12
Monday, April 12, 2021
Oli Tooher Hancock
Tom Shearer
Welcome
7:30AM - 8:00AM EDT
Overview of the Week Ahead as an AAIE Community of Leaders and Learners
Oli Tooher Hancock, AAIE President and Tom Shearer (A/OS)
An opening address by Oli Tooher-Hancock, AAIE President, in the context of the AAIE Global Leadership CONVERSATION theme, "Humans of AAIE" and the stories we have to tell. Oli introduces Tom Shearer, Director of A/OS.
Daniel Pink
The Things We Will Not Let Go
KEYNOTE
8:00AM - 8:40AM EDT
The Motive to Lead
Daniel Pink
Sponsored by Mason & Hanger
What motivates people to do their best work, especially in a time of crisis? The question is central to leadership, strategy, and innovation. And in the time of COVID-19, what is the motive to lead and take on the uncertainty and multiple dilemmas of keeping a community safe yet helping all stay focused on the mission? In this presentation, Daniel Pink, author of the million-copy international bestseller Drive, offers ideas, perspectives, and a few important answers.Tapping 50 years of research in behavioral science and then marshaling the evidence, Pink will discuss a more effective motivational approach. This new system, which smart organizations worldwide have embraced, promotes enduring motivation through autonomy, mastery, and purpose — the fundamentally human desires to direct our own lives, make progress in work that matters, and contribute to a team. These ideas have never been more critical than when a global pandemic brings unexpected everyday challenges, where leaders must inspire and support a community to find meaning and purpose.
The Things We Will Not Let Go
A Leadership Conversation with Daniel Pink
8:40 AM - 10:00AM EDT
Daniel Pink will engage participants in a much more expansive conversation beyond the keynote topic about leadership and the key factors of leading through crisis. Dan will also provide a 5-10 minute summary to discuss and define key ideas contributed by participants on the discussion of leadership. Dan brings a unique perspective to this conversation in that each of his three children attended Washington International School ... the youngest of whom graduates this year. Dan also served six years as a Trustee at WIS and co-chaired the capital campaign.
AAIE Diamond Keynote Sponsor
It is with great enthusiasm and respect that Mason & Hanger supports AAIE in this virtual International leadership CONVERSATION. We have always believed in and continue to support AAIE in their mission. Both of our organizations support and “partner with educational institutions worldwide to exchange international ideas, resources and research that helps develop and improve international education”.
For nearly 200 years, we at Mason & Hanger, have been serving our clients, their communities, and their missions. Our extensive list of clients includes the U.S. Department of State, their embassies, their missions, and their schools. While each of these clients are important, it is the positive impact that we have on their communities that we are the most proud. We believe that as we work to better the learning environment of one student, in one classroom, in one school, we can have an exponentially positive impact on a community.
Going into the global COVID pandemic we focused our extensive areas of planning and design expertise on impact-driven solutions. Coming out of the past year we remain focused on these tangible solutions as complementary to our partner schools’ missions.
The broader issues of efficiency, affordability and accountability remain the overarching principles as we look to the next generation of schools. Issues of flexibility, sustainability and adaptability have begun to take on different meanings. Tired buildings, exhausted administrators and weary communities look very different this year - and will have to be able to look different next year, and the next year.
Learn more about Mason & Hanger on AAIE Market Street
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
10:00AM - 11:00AM EDT
Ellen Mahoney
Kristin Daniel
The Things We Will Not Let Go
SESSION A
Ellen Mahoney and Kristin Daniel
“Together, We Are Resilient”: Reflecting on our resilience and building our capacity for the future
This year has shown us time and again the resilience that so many of you have demonstrated when faced with chaos and uncertainty. You are resilient. We know that resilience is a set of skills we can learn, practice, and build upon. These skills help us to cope, adapt, and become stronger over time. But as we anticipate the next school year and the possible uncertainties ahead, how can we sustain this resilience and protect our wellbeing over time? When school leaders come together with a shared belief that they can collectively overcome adversity, they will be more successful. During this session, Ellen and Kristin will share the stories of resilience, compassion, and adaptation they have witnessed through their work with schools around the world. Relying on decades of research on resilience and efficacy, they will guide you in creating your “future stories” of how you and your school community will come together to face whatever next school year brings, stronger and more connected.
Dr. Gwyn Underwood
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION B
Gwyn Underwood
Leveraging Opportunity From Crisis: Using Futures Thinking to Identify Long-term Solutions to Current Issues
The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has exposed several underlying systemic issues that impede optimal learning in our schools. This interactive session will guide participants to identify issues in their schools that can be confronted using a systematic approach that attempts to foresee a range of possible future outcomes that will inform decision making now and into the future. The approach we will use draws on aspects of “futures thinking” and “systems thinking” to frame and explore questions surrounding the underlying issues in the context of the world around us, leading to the identification of a range of possible future outcomes. Questions that lead to illuminating which possibilities are most desirable for implementation will then be asked, providing participants with tangible long-term solutions that can then be used in action plans that attempt to address the issues identified in their schools.
Dr. Fran Prolman
The Things We Will Leave Behind
SESSION C
Dr. Fran Prolman
Finding Our Way Out of Dante’s Inferno By Expanding Our Emotional Agility
Practical and engaging; participant centered and interactive: Breakout rooms with prompts and protocols to structure the discussion; whole group pattern and trend analysis; live polling to see a total group response to innovations and opportunities video analysis. Participants will: ...Identify the attributes of emotional, organizational and systemic agility...Analyze how each of these categories of agility were addressed by the participants during the pandemic and could be expanded moving into the future...Compare case studies of emotional, organizational and systemic agility and the lessons learned.
John Littleford
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION D
John Littleford
The Forgotten Player: Nurturing the Head During and Post Pandemic
Many Heads have admitted that they have not had a day off or a meaningful break since the pandemic began. Yet, many have declined a salary increase or have been asked to accept no increase. Some are even considering leaving the profession. Heads often do not admit their frustrations or stress to their boards for fear of being regarded as complaining. Remember: most heads of schools are former teachers and hence, caregivers. What can heads do to care for themselves and their families? What should boards be doing to support valued heads in all ways including “break time”, sabbaticals, and “combat pay.” Head of school searches are costly and disruptive to the institution and the transition period for a new head is three to five years.
Rosalind Wiseman
Charlie Kuhn
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION E
Rosalind Wiseman and Charlie Kuhn
Listening and Learning from Young People
Join Rosalind Wiseman and Charlie Kuhn for an interactive deep dive as they share the lessons learned and experiences they have had over the last year from international school students and faculty. It became clear that social and emotional skills are critical while we also struggled to engage students and create a sense of belonging. Instead of thinking of this last year as lost, we will focus on the lessons we have learned and the gained wisdom. We will work to integrate these ideas into our programs/content for the upcoming year. We will share ideas/content we have created in response to student voice, changing definition of engagement, to help us have better vision for the upcoming school year. Explicitly create a conversation to focus us on what matters most, our school culture and relationships. Together, this session will encourage conversation and allow us to reflect on this past year through the lens of dignity.
Tuesday, April 13
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Greg Hedger
WELCOME
7:30AM - 8:00AM EDT
Overview of the Day and Upcoming Events
Gregory A. Hedger, AAIE President-elect
Gregory tells his story of being in Myanmar in the face of a military coup and the global pandemic, then introduces Michael G. Thompson and Rob Evans.
Michael G. Thompson
Rob Evans
The Things We Will Leave Behind
KEYNOTE
8:00AM - 9:00AM EDT
Making Sense of It All
Michael G. Thompson and Rob Evans
International schools around the world have not only been the first to confront the global pandemic, but are likely the most affected by it as well. Yes, you have many stories to tell about the once in a hundred years plague. Your stories are surely vivid and are filled with the many dilemmas you have faced, then resolved. It's clear how much of your job description has changed in that you were at once the learning leader, the mayor of your community, the chief school sustainability office, as well as the head of safety and security.
Our session with you will be to share a perspective on how you can best make sense of all you’ve been through as a school leader. We want to wonder with you about how the crucible of the past fifteen months has shaped your ideas about leadership and the human capacity to persevere. We think you have a fine story to tell about how your expertise and experience supported your success in confronting a global pandemic. We also know that your capacity to bring compassion, empathy and decency to the day-to-day challenges can define the most important leadership experience of your career. Let’s talk together about how you– working with your team and others–have thrived rather than only survived. We look forward to having this more lengthy CONVERSATION with the intrepid souls of AAIE.
The Things We Will Leave Behind
AAIE Community CONVERSATION
9:00AM - 10:00AM EDT
Making Sense of it All
Michael G. Thompson and Rob Evans
In the style of a Thursday AAIE online CONVERSATION, Michael and Rob will be engaged by AAIE leaders to discuss key leadership imperatives for the life and time of COVID-19
Jarek "O" Oleszczuk
Jon Zurfluh
The Things We Will Leave Behind
HEADTALK
10:00AM - 10:30AM EDT
The Key Safety and Security Lessons that Keep Teaching and Learning Going, No Matter the Circumstance
Dr. Jarek "O" Oleszczuk, MD PhD and Jon Zurfluh
From the outset of the pandemic, we have defaulted to normal risk management strategies of avoidance and closure, to the detriment of students on a variety of fronts. Based on a partnership between the medical community and school leadership, we will present the results of an alternative plan that started with a priority to keep the school open for face-to-face learning and used medical research to chart a path to achieve that goal through facility management, mitigation strategies, medical practices and resources, and a robust response plan. We will also pivot to discuss suggestions for future planning in the context of vaccinations, new medical findings, and sustainable practices.
Marta Medved Krajnovic
Kathleen Naglee
Arnie Bieber
David Perry
Jeremy Moore
Jennifer Beckwith
Alan Knobloch
The Things We Will Leave Behind
PANEL DISCUSSION
10:30AM - 11:30 AM EDT
Stories of Leading Through the Plague
PANELISTS: Marta Medved Krajnovic, Kathleen Naglee, Arnie Bieber, David Perry, Jeremy Moore, Jennifer Beckwith, Alan Knobloch
A panel discussion where "The Humans of AAIE" tell their stories of surviving and thriving during our year of the plague. The focus will be on key leadership skills and behaviors that have been employed if not refined over the course of the the past fifteen months. Again, what have these leaders carried away from the past and present that can support their future leadership lives?
Wednesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Madeleine Heide
Dr. Emily Meadows
WELCOME
7:30AM - 7:40AM EDT
Overview of the Day and Upcoming Events
Madeleine Heide, AAIE Trustee and Dr. Emily Meadows
Madeleine tells her leadership story from the perspective of the South American context, outlining the challenges and victories and the reasons why. Madeleine then introduces Dr. Emily Meadows as the day's HEADTALK Speaker.
The Things We Will Carry into Tomorrow
HEADTALK
7:40AM - 8:00AM EDT
5 Reasons Your School Needs a Policy for Transgender Students
Dr. Emily Meadows
Educators are increasingly recognizing the diversity of their students’ genders and, however well-intentioned, may be under-equipped to support them. This presentation lays out the benefits of proactively implementing inclusive policy for transgender students, and provides tips on how to do so effectively in international school settings. Participants from all countries and in all stages of transgender inclusion are welcome.
Jeri Lynne Johnson
The Things We Will Not Let Go
KEYNOTE
8:00AM - 9:00AM EDT
Shaping the Silence - Creating the Space for Genius to Emerge and How Diversity Creates a Symphony of Solutions
Jeri Lynne Johnson
The conductor and her orchestra is a metaphor for a new leadership paradigm and the importance of embodying the values of diversity, equity and inclusion. This audience participation activity will offer those in attendance a brief crash course into the art of conducting. Using their arms, participants will learn about how conductors silently convey messages to the orchestra by creating specific shapes in the air called “beat patterns”. This activity will involve interaction with real-time streamed music. This talk will be accompanied by musical illustrations of key ideas and concepts.
The Things We Will Not Let Go
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
9:00AM - 9:25AM EDT
Shaping the Silence - Creating the Space for Genius to Emerge and How Diversity Creates a Symphony of Solutions
Jeri Lynne Johnson
A community conversation
Kevin Bartlett
Will Richardson
Homa Tavangar
The Things We Will Carry into Tomorrow
THE NEW SCHOOL PROJECT
9:30AM - 10:30AM EDT
To Act on What We've Wanted to Change All Along
Kevin Bartlett, Homa Tavangar and Will Richardson
Facilitated by Kevin Bartlett, Homa Tavangar, and Will Richardson, a panel of international school leaders will discuss the SEVEN PRINCIPLES for school innovation and development and strategies for implementation. A guided tour of the NEW SCHOOL PROJECT website will also be provided, highlighting the research and best practices that create the pathways for meaningful and sustainable change for each of our schools.
The Things We Will Carry into Tomorrow
AAIE Community PRESENTATION
10:30AM - 11:30AM EDT
Planning for the Post Pandemic School: Reflect, Reset, Reinvent
Homa Tavangar and Will Richardson
How do we take the lessons learned over the past year and turn them into actionable change as we begin to regain some sense of rhythm to our school lives? Given the urgent challenges that we are now confronted with, this session will take a look at an effective frame for moving forward with hope and optimism into the future. We'll interrogate three BIG questions: Who are we now given the tumult of the last 14 months? What must we decide to shed from our systems and practices in this moment? And what must we aspire to become as schools as communities committed to providing a relevant preparation for the children we serve? Highly interactive and provocative, this session will leave you with specific starting points and tools for the important journey ahead.
Thursday, April 15
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Andy Page-Smith
Rachel Caldwell
The Things We Will Carry into Tomorrow
AISH OASIS DAY
7:00AM - 9:45AM EDT
An AISH Event– Critical Insights About TRUST and Leading Change and a Community Through Crisis
In our workshop, we will explore past and recent research which provides critical insights into the impact trust has on change and managing crisis. We will also share ideas on developing and managing trust. The workshop will be followed by a brief AISH Annual General Meeting where we will be sharing how the Academy itself has fared during Covid with updates on the AISH Leadership Series, consulting services, and support initiatives, as well finances and progress on the review and redevelopment of our guiding statements.
David Sheff
The Things We Will Not Let Go
KEYNOTE
10:00AM - 10:30AM EDT
Lessons in a Father’s Story about Hope and Recovery
David Sheff
How schools can help kids, families, and communities through an unequaled time of stress and trauma. The rates of drug and alcohol abuse, addiction and suicide have skyrocketed since the covid-19 pandemic hit. On the frontlines, schools -- even as they‘ve been forced to adapt to the global crisis -- are in a position to help children and families survive and thrive in spite of the worsening problems. When his teenage son became addicted, writer David Sheff embarked on what became a decade-long journey to understand the “diseases of despair” and identify why societies have failed in their efforts to prevent them and treat those who ‘ve become afflicted. As he worked to save his son’s life, he learned that these diseases are preventable and treatable. In his talk to AAIE members, he’ll explain that we can reverse the trends – but only if we reject the failed paradigm in which sufferers are blamed and stigmatized and adopt a new one based on an understanding of the connection between stress and mental illness.
The Things We Will Not Let Go
AAIE Community CONVERSATION
10:30AM - 11:00AM EDT
Lessons in a Father’s Story about Hope and Recovery
David Sheff
In the style of a Thursday AAIE online CONVERSATION, David Sheff will be engaged by AAIE leaders to discuss key leadership imperatives for the life and time of COVID-19.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
11:00AM - 12:00PM EDT
Rick Detwiler
David Chojnacki
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION A
Rick Detwiler and David Chojnacki
The Guideposts for Your Board: The Policy Manual and The Board Handbook
Fundamental to effective governance in any international school is a sound, functional, clearly articulated set of policies. The “Policy Manual” serves as the homing beacon for all school operations. As defined in the International Trustee Handbook (2019), “The board’s policy manual is, in effect, a set of directives adopted over time to guide the administration in operating the school on a day-to-day basis.” Complementing that Manual is a guidebook for how the Board will function, the “Board Handbook.” Articulating protocols and operational norms not warranting “policy” status but eminently helpful in actually “practicing” good governance, the Board Handbook serves as a ready reference for Trustees in their board work. This Deep Dive will explore the “Why” and “What” of the Policy Manual and the Board Handbook, and introduce templates for each recently launched in the AAIE Governance Resources Suite.
Kimberly Cullen
Debra Lane
The Things We Will Not Let Go
SESSION B
Kimberly Cullen and Debra Lane
Raise Her Up: Leadership Lessons from Women in International K-12 Education
From Raise Her Up: “Because it is so complex and continually shifting, education requires constant and fearless leadership, regardless of gender. Raise Her Up comes from the idea that women themselves don’t often see a way in and as a society, we need to do better. Better for our young people, better for our future, better for women. Education for the future depends on amazing leaders, and amazing leadership comes in all shapes, sizes, and genders. After decades of struggling to break through the male-dominated upper echelons of leadership, it is time for change. Breaking through those boundaries is hard to do, but it is not impossible, and our future depends on it." This presentation will highlight stories of persistence, mentorship, courage, and advocacy. International schools are inherently diverse, and excellent leadership comes in all shapes and sizes, and genders.
Jess Davis
Dan Love
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION C
Jess Davis and Dan Love
The We Story: Protocols for Connection, Collaboration, and Co-Creation Going Forward
In modeling the beginning of a co-creation process (design thinking) with people outside of a single organization, allow us to leverage the networks established through 2020 and into the future. The objectives of this session are:
- Engaging in co-creation across school networks using design thinking protocols
- Exploring the possibilities for ongoing collaboration and co-creation for real life problem solving.
- Illustrating accessible, replicable co-creation protocol
Anna Sugarman
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION D
Anna Sugarman
Can You Hear Them? Using Student Voice to Shift the Learning Paradigm
What are our students saying about how they learn best and will prepare them for their futures? How do we respond to that feedback and use it to identify optimal instructional matches and structures to achieve greater learning outcomes? Join us as we explore ways we can change the game of learning by empowering student voices. The pandemic has offered us the challenge to experiment with learning, learners and our structures for our schools. While it has been a challenge, it has also created an opportunity for us to look at learning in different ways through the eyes of our students and parents and envision our futures. This presentation provides an opportunity for us to explore what is possible in encouraging students to have greater responsibility for their learning paths and to impact their schools. In alignment with the AAIE mission, this work takes courage, knowing our schools can improve by including students in our process.
Bonnie Ricci
Cameron Staples
Jane Larsson
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION E
Bonnie Ricci, Cam Staples and Jane Larsson
Accreditation and the AAIE New School Project
Join this session to explore how the AAIE New School Project and its Shared Principles can align with accreditation standards and practices. Accreditation has two main purposes - quality assurance and school improvement. In order to support school improvement, the accreditation process must be structured as a catalyst for school reflection, assessment, and growth. The session will highlight existing alignment between the Seven Principles presented in AAIE’s New School Project and the accreditation processes of ICAISA-recognized accrediting associations including CIS and NEASC. After seeing areas of existing alignment, attendees will engage in discussion to explore areas where additional or deeper alignment is warranted.
Friday, April 16
Friday, April 16, 2021
DIVERSITY COLLABORATIVE
7:00AM - 8:00AM EDT
DEIJ Pathways to Change
Jennifer Beckwith, Hanadi Dayyeh, Anna Santori, Nadine Richards, Dana Watts, Beverly Shaklee, Daniel Wickner, and Alysa Perreras
The Diversity Collaborative (DC) is committed to creating and sustaining a more DEIJ international school community through its focus on leadership. The DC conducts research on the leadership pipeline and recruitment practices, provides leadership development, and advocates for international school communities to (1) critically reflect on diversity or the lack thereof, (2) develop equity-minded stakeholders, (3) promote inclusive environments, and (4) serve as social justice activists. Join us to learn more about our “open source” resources, the latest results of our most recent international school survey and our current strategic actions. Don’t miss this opportunity to join your fellow leaders to learn how the Diversity Collaborative can support your efforts to drive change and make an impact.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
8:00AM - 9:00AM EDT
Tim Carr
Anne Baldisseri
David Palumbo
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION A
Tim Carr, Anne Baldisseri, David Palumbo and Students
Next Normal: Recreating Time and Space for Learning
Our panel discussion is meant to provide a catalyst for thought, learning, and action— providing real examples of what can be possible, an example of the hot pursuit of the AAIE future schools project and its principles. Our panel will share some stories, examples, and provocations, and then we can go to breakouts to digest, synthesize, and make meaning. It’s all about recreating school for the future. We’re happily blowing up old, tired models and designing new ones—curricula, schedules, buildings, and ways to “do school.”
Anita Simpson
The Things We Will Not Let Go
SESSION B
Anita Simpson
From Compliance to Commitment: Lessons in Leading with Love
This session will engage participants in applying some concrete strategies to their setting/context that will inspire and empower others in their respective learning communities. Specific strategies will be shared, along with some illustrative stories and evidence. Participants will be given opportunities to begin to apply these tools to their school settings, in small and large groups. Connecting with others and sharing effective practice is always important to building collective capacity, but especially essential during these most unusual and unprecedented times. This session will inspire others with the courage to try new approaches to move from compliance to commitment.As global citizens we all need to ‘feel felt’, be seen, and be heard. Knowing (and feeling) that we matter, and that what we do is important, is the key to fostering connection and confidence. This session will help deepen the belief that we can make a difference around the corner and around the world.
Jessica Magagna
Shelley Paul
Jacinta Williams
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION C
Jessica Magagna, Shelley Paul and Jacinta Williams
Real Talk: How Can We Own Our Past to Design a More Equitable Future?
After issuing a statement against systemic racism and social injustice, Search Associates experienced a crucible moment. Many educators, both publicly and privately, responded by sharing their experiences with inequity both with Search Associates and in their schools. They wanted to know what actions Search Associates would take. This presentation highlights how the leaders of an international organization led with vision, wisdom, courage, and integrity -- as well as vulnerability -- by holding the mirror up to themselves and their organization, confronting how they may be unintentionally contributing to inequality instead of actively working to dismantle it. It is also one organization’s, and one leader’s honest story. Hear from CEO Jessica Magagna about how Search Associates has moved from the “talk to the walk,” owning how their actions and inactions have caused or contributed to harm, centering the voices of candidates impacted the most by inequity in international schools, and committing to a path of repair and change.
Tara Waudby
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION D
Tara Waudby
What Wants to Happen Next?
“The stories we tell create the world we live in.” As we reimagine education together, what do we mean when we say future-driven? In this session, we will use two protocols to create a living vision of our preferred future. We will engage in a Best Hopes/Worst Fears exercise to showcase the power of our attention. We will then write stories together, creating a library of narratives that describe our vision of future-ready. A Future Search is a powerful tool that helps us imagine the future together. In closing, we will share multiple formats for engaging in Futuring with our school communities, including our students. We will literally be telling stories, and we will use our current narratives to co-create our future narratives. Futuring is inspiring and develops the AAIE themes of vision and courage. As well, it helps us develop our collective wisdom. Finally a Future Search enables us to lead with integrity by creating a living vision of our plans for the future.
Robert Landau
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
SESSION E
Robert Landau
Education Re-imagined - Not a Concept, Not a Dream - a Necessity!
This pandemic puts a stark light on an emerging truth—education as we know it is over, and we must think of 'school' in deeply different ways.” (Linda Darling-Hammond) Robert Landau will introduce a paradigm shift in the way we need to do school. IMPACT will prepare our youth to be competitive in the global economy as the world shifts, automates and disrupts; envisioning a future where colleges will accept students based on the content of their character and accomplishments, not scores or grades. Robert will describe a new school project using IMPACT and why it needs to be incorporated into existing schools. When presented to world-renown educator, Dr Yong Zhao, he said, “I love this, it can work!
Jane Larsson
Angeline Aow
Nunana Nyomi
The Things We Will Leave Behind
DEEP DIVE
9:00AM - 10:00AM EDT
International Education: Does it perpetuate structural racism?
Jane Larsson, Angeline Aow, Nunana Nyomi
“I am both a victim of and a beneficiary from structural racism.” Our colleague, a former international school student and later a university admissions officer, published his personal story in June, 2020 which set CIS on a path to develop perspective on specific types of discrimination and inequity within international schools across the world. This workshop will look at racism and discrimination through multiple lenses as we learn how to address it effectively within diverse learning institutions, and how CIS as an organization has begun its own self-assessment. Elements of institutional change and the foundational skills CIS is using to educate ourselves and our membership community will be shared. We will address an over-arching social responsibility challenge - that of addressing structural racism inherent in international education. This intentional work requires both personal reflection and an institutional commitment to change. This session will prompt deep thinking on personal experiences, perspectives and current understanding of racial inequity in all its forms and how we can address it structurally and systematically. Participants will consider how to engage their communities in discussion on racism as a social responsibility, combining personal responsibility with institutional responsibility. Strategies for improvement will be shared.
Terry Tempest Williams
The Things We Will Not Let Go
KEYNOTE
10:00AM - 11:00AM EDT
A Year of Pause: A Reckoning and an Awakening
Terry Tempest Williams
In this year at home where we have all been brought to our knees, we have experienced a full range of emotions from grief to gratitude. But what have we learned? We thought the pandemic was a pause, now we know it as a place: a place of reckoning and an awakening. Terry Tempest Williams will share what she has learned as a writer, an educator, and a resident of the red rock desert of Utah. She writes, "We are eroding and evolving, at once. The questions before us are many. For me, these questions loom large, "How will we emerge from this isolation and who will we emerge as? What is normal when normal was crazy?"
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
AAIE Board of Trustees
11:00AM - 12:00PM EDT
A Trustee View of Taking on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion– we took the IDI and we have work to do
Jacinta Williams and the AAIE Board of Trustees
The AAIE Board of Trustees committed to taking the IDI (Intercultural Development Inventory) – seeking to model how school boards and entire school communities can develop a metric for determining the gap between what is and what should be with DEI issues. We discovered that we have work to do and want to share what we have learned. We also want to reflect back on the PRECONFERENCE where we, as an AAIE community, worked together to define our individual perspectives and implicit biases toward the implementing the important concepts of DEI in our schools.
The Things We Will Carry Into Tomorrow
AAIE AGM
12:00PM EDT
The Annual General Meeting of the Association for the Advancement of International Education
AAIE AGM
A review of of AAIE programs, finances and approval of slate of board trustees.
Register for the conversation