Extended Explorations

Extended Explorations provide participants with an opportunity to delve deeper into a topic, hear multiple perspectives, and/or engage in a hands-on activity.

Reshaping Curriculum to Foster Global Competence

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Melissa Brown, Director of Diversity and Global Education; Rachel Herlein, Academic Dean; and Mary Dobroth, Director of Academic Technology | Holton-Arms School (MD)

Every year, Holton-Arms increasingly integrates opportunities to develop global competence throughout the curriculum, lending greater context and relevance to content. Discover how we have created the space, time, and opportunities for teachers to more effectively cultivate students’ understanding of diverse perspectives, knowledge of the world, communication skills, and ability to think critically and take action inside and outside of the classroom. We will provide concrete examples of interdisciplinary offerings across all divisions and share how we support teachers in these endeavors.

One Movement, One Love: How the One Love Foundation’s Innovative Approach is Ending Relationship Violence

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Zoë Skinner, Regional Coordinator and Jordyn Cohen, Regional Coordinator, Maryland | One Love Foundation and Nicolette G., Student | Roland Park Country School

Founded in 2010 to honor the memory of Yeardley Love, One Love’s mission is to end relationship violence by utilizing the peer-to-peer facilitation model both educating students on the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviors and empowering them to be leaders driving change in their communities. In this session, you will view One Love’s award-winning film, Escalation, hear from One Love student leaders from local NCGS schools about how they are leading the charge in their community and have an opportunity to strategize how you can bring our tools back to your school. Join us!! *Trigger Warning: Escalation shows the stark reality of relationship abuse, including emotional, sexual and physical violence. This film can be triggering especially for those who have experience relationship abuse. We will have resource sheets available.

Create a Maker Space Culture not just a Maker Space

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Lorri Palko, Executive Coach | Love Money Purpose LLC (GA); Elizabeth English, Head of School; Gretchen Warner, Upper School Director; and Karen Pavliscak, Middle School Director | The Archer School for Girls (CA)

Innovation in a school emanates from a particular cultural disposition, one that elevates mission above outcomes and where reciprocity — providing educators with the capacity to innovate — is the guiding principle among school leadership. Join executive coach Lorri Palko of Love, Money, Purpose, and Elizabeth English, Gretchen Warner, and Karen Pavliscak of the Archer School for Girls as they lead workshop participants through an interactive examination of the strategic, financial, structural, and operational conditions that give rise to a culture of purposeful innovation in a school. This workshop will build in time to reflect on current practices, discuss ideas with colleagues, and develop practical applications for your school community.

Creating an iTeam: Shifting Your Culture & Pedagogy towards Innovative Practice

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Julie Diana, Director of Libraries and Humanities Innovation; Margaret Powers, Middle and Upper School Director of STEAM Innovation; and Kimberly Walker, Director of Lower School Technology Integration & Innovation | The Agnes Irwin School (PA)

Building a culture of creativity is a daunting task; shifting to a mindset of innovation is even harder. Find out how Agnes Irwin has taken a unique, collaborative, and joyful approach to distributed leadership in innovation. We have reimagined existing roles and carved out time, space, and resources to turn teachers’ ideas into action. After sharing our experiences digging into design thinking, coaching, and research-based approaches to innovation, we invite you to join us on a journey to reimagine how to support innovation at your school. Attendees leave with a digital toolbox to design their own team for innovation.

DIY Learning: A Deep Dive for Both Students and Faculty through Modulation and Design Thinking

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Stephany Fontanone, Upper School Dean of Students / English Teacher and Corinne Fogg, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development | Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (MD)

What will be the next format for student and adult learning heading through the 21st century? How do we make school more meaningful for girls? Personalize — and make autonomy and onus the impetus for learning. Can this same platform translate to enriching the professional lives of faculty? Yes — we call it DIY Learning! In this interactive session, participants will learn how to utilize Design Thinking for process and modulated formative assessments to ensure authentic learning outcomes. The same model used to diversify pedagogy in the classroom can be applied to student life activities as well as for Professional Development.

Establishing Common Ground Between Heads of School and Technology Leaders

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Sarah Hanawald, Executive Director | Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) (CA)

Technology’s role looms large as a driver of innovation, yet conversations about technology among campus leaders are sometimes frustrating rather than fruitful. For the promise of technology to be fulfilled, heads of school and technology leaders must understand each other’s goals and establish common ground. We’ll lead participants through an examination of technology “must knows,” examine several case studies, explore common pitfalls in communication, and we will delve into the complexities and misconceptions that surround some of today’s innovation initiatives, such as blended learning, making and BYOD.

Got Political Ambitions? We’ve Got Your Back @IGNITE

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Rini Sampath, Board Member, and Margo McClinton, Texas State Director | IGNITE; Diana O’Connor, Teacher Librarian, and Valerie Gutierrez, Student, Class of 2020 | Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School/ Young Women’s Preparatory Network (TX); and Jheanelle Wilkins, Member | Maryland House of Delegates, District 20

Girls’ schools are an ideal setting to build the next generation of political leaders. Learn how IGNITE, the national expert on training young women’s political leadership, can provide your school with the tools to make it happen. Hear from an elected official, IGNITE leaders, NCGS school partners & students on how to build a movement of young women who are eager to run for office and ready to own their political power!

Praise, Perfection, and Other Inhibitors to Girls’ Confidence: How One School Is Changing Its Culture

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Armistead Lemon, Upper School English Department Chair; Jess Hill, Upper School Director; Buffy Baker, Wellness Instructor, Varsity Tennis Coach; Jenny Jervis, Upper School French Teacher; and Adam Wilsman, Upper School Social Science Teacher | Harpeth Hall School (TN)

Research indicates that girls who succeed in the classroom paradoxically struggle with confidence once they enter the workplace. As we confront this confidence gap, we will share strategies for how we are changing the culture of our school to address five primary inhibitors to girls’ confidence: perfectionism, fear of failure, sensitivity to criticism, the language of self-doubt, and comparison. In addition to providing an overview of our work with students, faculty, and our parent community, we will explore two case studies and brainstorm about the greatest challenges to and opportunities for this important work.

Race-Based Differences in Students’ Perceptions of Teacher Feedback

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Jessica Watkin, Academic Dean; Annie B., Student, Class of 2017; and Maddy S., Student, Class of 2017 | Miss Porter’s School (CT)

What are the implications when student research into teacher feedback exposes race-based differences in students’ experiences and perceptions? Using student research to inform school practice was already an innovative approach, but what happens when our girls’ work reveals something we didn’t expect or welcome? In this session, student researchers and their faculty advisor will walk attendees through the cycle of innovation that started with trusting students to conduct rigorous qualitative research. Attendees will walk away with tools for launching a student research program and ideas for new ways to discuss teacher feedback, “comfortability” in the classroom, and race at school.

STEM for Sale

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Annie Kapetanis, Director of Lower School; Ann Hamilton-Dixon, Lower School Instructional Technology Specialist/Coordinator; and Christy Irving, Lower School Librarian | St. Catherine’s School (CA)

Presenters will share their journey launching the Fourth Grade Capstone Design Project piloted last year, which focused on STEM skills crucial to business development. An authentic, cross-curricular learning experience where students were active participants in entrepreneurship, self-directed learning, research, computer coding and 3D design and printing, the Project was inspired by, designed for, and molded by the contributions and efforts of students. Presenters hope to spark an exchange of ideas with what others are doing in their schools. Attendees will explore the online resources used in the project and will receive a comprehensive bibliography of sources.

Sugar and Spice to Glass Ceiling Smasher: The Revolution in Marketing Education for Girls’ Schools

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Carol Cheney, President | Cheney & Company (CT); Myra McGovern, Vice President, Media | NAIS (DC); and Lauren Castagnola, Executive Assistant to the Head | Westover School (CT)

Many girls’ schools were founded to educate young ladies to mind their manners and get good husbands. Now, girls’ schools are empowering future engineers, ambassadors, and nonprofit CEOs. This has meant seismic changes in how girls’ schools market themselves in an era of growing gender equality. How are the most successful schools telling their stories about the value of single-gender education to parents — and daughters? Three experts combine archival images, contemporary examples, and practical advice to help you evaluate your marketing approaches. Learn new strategies for harnessing the power of technology, messaging, and imagery for enrollment and fundraising growth.

Transformed Futures

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Catherine Misson, Principal and Nikki Kirkup, Director of Senior Years | Melbourne Girls Grammar School (AUS)

A remodel of the Middle Years Program was the inception of change and innovation that led to the new health and wellbeing facility, the Artemis Centre. Artemis provides a transformative program that enables our girls, now and in the future, to develop the confidence, competencies, and habits to proactively monitor and manage their health and wellbeing. Supporting this paradigm is the Centre for Educational Enterprise (CEE), a platform that advances entrepreneurial thinking for our staff and our students, shaping our practices and learning experiences, and serving as a beacon for leading change in the future of education.

When the White Dress Doesn’t Fit: How are Other Girls’ Schools Supporting Transgender Students

DATE/TIME: Monday, June 26, 10:45 AM-12:15 PM

PRESENTERS: Julie Mencher, LGBT Diversity Consultant/Psychotherapist/Trainer; Paul Burke, Head of School | The Nightingale-Bamford School (NY); and Julie Faulstich, Head of School | Westover School (CT)

Educators are left scratching our heads as the intrinsically binary mindset of girls’ schools collides with a 21st century gender revolution which replaces categories of female and male with a spectrum of multiple gender identities. Understandably, many schools are concerned that including transgender students may challenge the very mission of single-sex schools, disrupt school culture and traditions, and obscure the definition of what IS a girl. Using the results of nationwide research on girls’ schools and two panelists’ descriptions of their own schools’ processes, we’ll examine how girls’ schools are addressing this topic with courage, creativity, and prudence.