Pre-Conferences (See full descriptions below) 

9:00AM - 4:00PM

*Lunch 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Join your leadership colleagues, learning together. This year's AAIE Pre-Conferences are led by people you know, who know our work. Sign-in and give them your time. Keep learning.

*Pre-Conference registration is separate from conference registration. You may register for Pre-Conferences HERE.

"Transitions, Tribulations, and Triumphs in International School Leadership"

Barry Dequanne and Lee Fertig

Location: Gilbert, 4th Floor

TWO DAY PRECONFERENCE FOR HEADS OF SCHOOL AND DEPUTY HEADS OF SCHOOL ONLY

This AAIE workshop is specifically geared toward school heads and deputy school heads who are looking to improve their leadership practice during times of transition and challenge. The agenda will vary based on interests and needs of those participating, but topics typically include developing transition plans, strategies for improving relationships with school governance and leadership, and preparing for/responding to significant school changes. READ MORE

"LSOP: Leadership Seminar for Overseas Schools 2.0"

Robin Heslip and John Verdi

Location: Odets, 4th Floor

(BY INVITATION ONLY)

Pre-Conferences (See full descriptions below) 

9:00AM - 4:00PM

*Lunch 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Join your leadership colleagues, learning together. This year's AAIE Pre-Conferences are led by people you know, who know our work. Sign-in and give them your time. Keep learning.

*Pre-Conference registration is separate from conference registration. You may register for Pre-Conferences HERE.

"Transitions, Tribulations, and Triumphs in International School Leadership"

Barry Dequanne and Lee Fertig

Location: Gilbert, 4th Floor

TWO DAY PRECONFERENCE FOR HEADS OF SCHOOL AND DEPUTY HEADS OF SCHOOL ONLY

This AAIE workshop is specifically geared toward school heads and deputy school heads who are looking to improve their leadership practice during times of transition and challenge. The agenda will vary based on interests and needs of those participating, but topics typically include developing transition plans, strategies for improving relationships with school governance and leadership, and preparing for/responding to significant school changes. READ MORE

"How to Create Mission-Based Compensation/Performance Management Systems and Protocols"

John Littleford

What is the link between mission and money? What is the link between salaries and benefits and performance evaluation? What is the link between talent management, professional development and holding teachers accountable to standards and the mission? This session will explore these sometimes challenging and emotional topics recognizing that schools require healthy systems that board members, parents, leaders AND teachers  can understand and support. READ MORE

"Inclusion: The New Normal"

Ochan Powell and the NFI Design Team

Location: Music Box, 6th Floor

The Team at The Next Frontier Inclusion has spent many years supporting schools on the road towards inclusive practices, sharing proven ways to support managed numbers of students with a wide range of learning profiles. In this interactive session we’ll be providing a practical overview of what we have learned, including the need to define ‘inclusion’. READ MORE

"Leading Together Thriving Within the Critical Relationship Between Board Chair and Head of School"

David Chojnacki and Rick Detwiler

Location: Winter Garden, 6th Floor

This pre-conference will focus on nine leadership criteria borne out of research into practice, that predict productive and successful work between school head and board chair. This session will go deep into setting the conditions for ensuring a positive and productive board culture through creation of the strongest team in the school, that between head of school and board chair. READ MORE

"The One Thing That Changes Everything – The Happiness Advantage"

Charles Mitchel

Location: Palace, 6th Floor

This session will challenge our assumptions, understanding and old thinking on how we maximize our leadership effectiveness. It's not just what we know we can do and hard work. WHO WE ARE is equal or more important as teaching and leading in International schools becomes increasingly more difficult and draining. READ MORE

"Leading and Influencing Change"

John Burns

Whether you’re introducing learning portfolios, deploying a 1:1 device program or shifting to a new curricular framework the challenge is inherently the same. How do you ensure the initiative is not only successfully implemented but also sustained in the longer term? READ MORE

"Building Trust and Repairing Damaged Trust"

Fran Prolman

Location: Uris, 6th Floor

This practical and engaging pre-conference will enable leaders to raise their consciousness to the specific behaviors, categories and characteristics of trust. Participants will enact two specific models of trust building, and identify the steps and conversations required to repair trust when it is broken. Leaders will consciously model these attributes, have a practical plan to teach them and expect from others. As a result, the building of a culture of trust and psychological safety becomes intentional and measurable. READ MORE

"LSOP: Leadership Seminar for Overseas Schools 2.0"

Robin Heslip and John Verdi

Location: Odets, 4th Floor

(BY INVITATION ONLY)

AAIE Advisory Council Meeting

4:00PM - 5:00PM

Super Bowl Viewing Party, AAIE Bier Garten and Newcomer Welcome

5:00 PM

Watch the Big Game (6:30PM kickoff time) while enjoying some German beer, brats, and the company of old and new international colleagues.

Location: Liberty, 8th Floor

"AISH Oasis Day"

8:15AM - 1:30PM

Location: Astor Ballroom

Come take a deep dive with us as we figure out how to address some of the seemingly unsolvable quandaries that come with being the Head of an International School. Two AISH CEOs (Bambi Betts and Deb Welch) will discuss how to spot a conundrum and provide criteria for determining if it is high risk.

Be prepared to focus on some of the dilemmas that we "work around" because they are difficult to change. We'll explore a creative process to mitigate the impact and tap into the collective expertise of International School Heads to tackle these conundrums that stand in the way of moving our schools forward. 

Read More and Register on AISH's website HERE.

"LSOP: Leadership Seminar for Overseas Schools 2.0"

8:00AM - 12:00PM

Location: Duffy, 7th Floor

Robin Heslip and John Verdi

Partner Showcase Exhibition and Apple Lucky Draw

1:30PM - 2:30PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Meet our conference exhibitors and qualify for Wednesday's Lucky Draw; a chance to win a Mac Book Pro, Apple Ipad or Apple Iphone 11 (You must be present at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 5th in order to claim your prize).

AAIE Leadership Conversation Opening Session and Conference Opening Un-Keynote

"21st Century Power: Principles, Practices, and Positive Social Change" - Dacher Keltner

2:30PM-4:00PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

• Opening Comments: Jeff Paulson, President of AAIE
• Introduction of A/OS speaker: Tom Shearer, Office of Overseas Schools
• Unkeynote Address: Dacher Keltner

We are in the midst of a power revolution, one moving away from older, Machiavellian approaches to power, which prioritized coercion and might, to more collaborative, compassionate models of power. In this talk, Dacher Keltner will detail a roadmap for 21st century power, one oriented toward social change and embodied in Collaborative Practice. He will speak about the need to think what power is: not money, class, coercion or might but rather our ability to make a difference in the world. Keltner will detail the principles of collaborative power, which include empathy, giving, gratitude and stories that unite, all of which earn the esteem of others and stir social networks to effective action. He will address the abuses of power, from empathy deficits to impulsivity, which can undermine any human at work, in family life, in marriage and offer ideas about what can be done to promote social change in the face of such timeless pitfalls.

"No, The Kids Are Not Alright" - A Sean Truman HeadTalk

4:00PM-4:20PM  

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

We are in the middle of a public health crisis; teens and young adults are experiencing dramatically greater mental health risk than at any time in recent history. Many international schools have been slow to respond to the magnitude and acuity of student mental health needs, and this talk addresses what we know about recent changes in risk.

World Cocktail Party: "Differences and Diversity" 

4:20PM-5:00PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Facilitators: Kevin Bartlett and Kristen Pelletier

This all-AAIE community session is a variation on the well-known World Cafe.

Theme: What would schools be like if they started with the truth?

We would all agree that kids are different yet schools are designed as if they are the same. What would school be like if it started from the truth?

Tapas Dinner Followed By A Night on the Town

5:00PM-7:00PM

Location: Broadway Lounge, 8th Floor

Superintendent of the Year Breakfast

8:00AM - 10:00AM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

A formal breakfast gathering to honor the AAIE Superintendent of the Year. An announcement will be made prior to December 15th, 2019. We have decided to change things up and recognize that over 75% of our members are likely jet-lagged who will already be wide awake and ready to go for a breakfast celebration of AAIE leaders.

Partner Showcase Exhibition, Coffee Break and Apple Lucky Draw

10:00AM - 10:30AM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Meet our conference exhibitors and qualify for Wednesday's Lucky Draw; a chance to win a Mac Book Pro, Apple Ipad or Apple Iphone 11 (You must be present at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 5th in order to claim your prize).

Brown Bag Lunch in the Exhibit Area

12:00PM-1:00PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Partner Showcase Exhibition and Apple Lucky Draw

2:30PM-2:45PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Meet our conference exhibitors and qualify for Wednesday's Lucky Draw; a chance to win a Mac Book Pro, Apple Ipad or Apple Iphone 11 (You must be present at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 5th in order to claim your prize).

"What Do the Numbers Say... About Diversity, Governance and Inclusion in International Schools?" - A Richard Gaskell HeadTalk

2:45PM-3:05PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

As the international schools market expands and matures, so schools are increasingly defining themselves and responding to market challenges and opportunities. Schools Director at ISC Research, Richard Gaskell will share latest data and intelligence on the evolving market as well as sector-specific practices, research and trends specifically related to school community demographics, diversity of leadership in schools, governance and inclusion.

"The Risk/Gain Calculus: Security, Your Kids, and Your Staff" - A Orlando Velasquez HeadTalk

3:05PM-3:25PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Orlando Velasquez is attached to the Department of State and is a security expert with a world of experience. Leadership in overseas schools requires a healthy dose of risk management. The essence of which is being proactive and understanding not only worldwide threats but local concerns within each international school's geography.

Orlando will discuss the most important question of his Risk/Gain Calculus that has informed his decision-making in some of the most difficult environments in the world, and how it applies to international schools.  Orlando will share his experience in today’s evolving world of terrorism and security threats, and focus on leading a safe and secure school.

"Lessons Learned" - A Tim Stuart HeadTalk

3:25PM-3:45PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Professional Learning Communities provide a strong framework for creating the school of the future. The PLC construct can be used to create a highly personalized Learning environment to ensure that all students learn what is important at high levels. In this session, participants will learn how give student opportunities to personalize their learning by asking and answering the 4 PLC questions from their own perspectives: 1. What do I need to know and be able to do? 2. How will I know that I have learned it? 3. What will I do if I am not learning? 4. What will I do if I already know it?

Pre-Broadway Italian/Pasta Night Followed by AAIE Night on Broadway

4:45PM-6:30PM

Location: Broadway Lounge, 8th Floor

Join us for a Broadway production of To Kill A Mockingbird. 7:00PM curtain time at the Shubert Theatre.

ESOL Dinner (By Invitation Only)

6:30PM

"AAIE Night on Broadway"

To Kill A Mockingbird at the Shubert Theatre

7:00PM

*The Shubert Theatre is in easy walking distance from the Marriott Marquis.

Inspired by Lee’s own childhood in Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird features one of literature’s towering symbols of integrity and righteousness in the character of Atticus Finch, based on Lee’s own father. The character of Scout, based on Lee herself, has come to define youthful innocence—and its inevitable loss—for generation after generation of readers around the world.

Written by Aaron Sorkin, starring Ed Harris as Atticus Finch and Nina Grollman as Scout.

Women's Leadership Breakfast

Hosted by Liz Duffy with Guest Speaker Firoozeh Dumas

7:15AM-8:30AM

Location: Marquis Ballroom, 9th Floor

ISS and AAIE are pleased to invite all conference participants (yes men are encouraged to attend) interested in attending to this treasured annual event. This year’s breakfast will feature informal remarks from conference speaker Firoozeh Dumas, author of Funny in Farsi, who will speak about her own leadership and writing life. It is also a time to network with leaders of international schools from around the world. 

"How Never Fitting in became Fitting in Everywhere" - A Firoozeh Dumas Un-Keynote

8:45AM-9:45AM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

In her hilarious keynote, Firoozeh Dumas will share her improbable journey from Abadan, Iran to the bestseller lists of the NYTimes.  Not only does Firoozeh believe that our commonalities far outweigh our differences but she also believes that our stories connect us. Hearing her story will make you want to share yours, and hear everyone else's. 

Partner Showcase Exhibition and Apple Lucky Draw

9:45AM-10:10AM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Meet our conference exhibitors and qualify for Wednesday's Lucky Draw; a chance to win a Mac Book Pro, Apple Ipad or Apple Iphone 11 (You must be present at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 5th in order to claim your prize).

"The Essential Question" - Board Trustees Panel Discussion

Moderator: Michael Zink, ICS Addis Ababa Board Member

10:10AM-10:45AM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

How best to ensure a collaborative relationship between head of school and board trustees, from the viewpoint of a diverse group of trustees from around the world. Essential questions that will guide this panel discussion will include the following:

• What is a trustee's view on the best ways to contribute toward realizing the school's mission, core values and strategic thinking?
• What are the best ways to ensure transparent communication that also respects trustees and senior leaders flying at their respective proper altitude?
• How best to ensure the most productive relationship between the head of school, board chair and across all trustees?

"The Best mistake I ever made"

a community learning session with kevin glass, tim carr and deb welch

10:45AM-11:45AM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

We say all the time "mistakes are opportunities for learning," but mostly they are not. They are usually just mistakes, and so unfortunately we tend to repeat them. If we want our mistakes to be opportunities for learning then we need to devote the time to reflect and truly problem solve. Even better is for the leader to reflect on mistakes with peers and to be ready and open for feedback. 

This session will engage the entire AAIE community in a CONVERSATION to consider "the best mistake I ever made" and to do this in small groups with global colleagues. The "best" mistake is the one from which we learn the most during our careers. In each small group, each AAIE leader conducts the following "after-action" analysis."

• What was supposed to happen?
• What actually happened?
• What accounts for the difference?
• What did I learn?
• Why was it so important?

The goal of this session is for leaders to be vulnerable, open and honest. To recognize that everyone makes mistakes and that by telling their own stories to a focused audience of peers, we genuinely learn from our mistakes and those of others. It really is a CONVERSATION where we practice self-reflection as an essential means of learning. 

brown bag lunch in exhibitor area

11:45AM-12:45PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

panel discussions by choice

12:45PM-1:45PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

• Young Leaders Panel
• Accreditation Panel
• Inclusion Panel

partner showcase Exhibition - last chance to qualify for apple lucky draw

1:45PM-2:00PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Meet our conference exhibitors and qualify for Wednesday's Lucky Draw; a chance to win a Mac Book Pro, Apple Ipad or Apple Iphone 11 (You must be present at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, February 5th in order to claim your prize).

"I am white, male and privileged. i am also biased, prejudiced, and have many 'ists' and 'isms.' why has it taken me 51 years to see this?" - A Kevin Glass HeadTalk

2:00PM-2:20PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

Anyone who has taken the Intercultural Development Inventory or one of Harvard’s Implicit Bias tests was either a) shocked, or b) dismissive of what was uncovered. "Culturalism" (Yuval Noah Harari) appears to be the new “ism” for this part of the 21st Century and, thus far, what a divisive time we are all living in. I believe the very first step for us is that we need to lead with empathy and curiosity and suspend judgment. We need to model this for all those fellow humans, young and old, like us and different, that we are responsible for, have influence over and come into contact with through our incredibly privileged lives.

An aaie send off and thank you plus apple lucky draw

With Jeff Paulson and the AAIE Board of Trustees

4:00PM-4:30PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

The Lucky Draw will take place during the send off. In order to claim your prize, you must be present at this session.

AAIE General Meeting

With Jeff Paulson and Ron Marino

4:30PM

Location: Broadway Ballroom, 6th Floor

AAIE's Annual Wine and unwind

5:00PM

Location: Broadway Lounge, 8th Floor