Registration will close February 2, 2025 at

When

February 3 - 5, 2025 (EST)

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Where

Grand Hyatt Washington

1000 H St NW
Washington, District of Columbia

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Organizer

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+1 6097167441

Pre-Conference Workshops


Join us for an enriching experience at our upcoming conference in Washington DC in February 2025! Before the main event, we are excited to offer a series of pre-conference workshops designed to enhance your leadership skills and deepen your understanding of the unique challenges in international education. Engage with expert facilitators and fellow heads of school in dynamic, hands-on sessions that will inspire innovation and collaboration. Whether you're looking to strengthen your strategic planning, improve community engagement, or explore emerging educational trends, these workshops are an invaluable opportunity to connect and grow. Don't miss this chance to set the tone for a transformative conference experience!

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Policy Development with Dr. Emily Meadows

Dr. Emily Meadows is an LGBTQ+ consultant for international schools. In addition to her doctoral degree, Emily holds master's degrees in both Sexual Health and Counseling, and worked as an international school counselor for over a decade. She researches, publishes, and trains school communities on inclusive policy and practice, while also teaching for the LGBT Health Policy & Practice graduate program at George Washington University. Emily is a Council of International Schools affiliated consultant and an International Schools Services affiliated consultant, and has developed inclusion standards, referenda, and trainings for professional organizations such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the International School Counselor Association (ISCA), The Fulbright Commission, the Association for International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC), the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Having spent more than half of her life in international schools, Emily specializes in culturally-relevant solutions to promote LGBTQ+ safety and belonging worldwide.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Policy Development

A Roadmap for International School Leaders


School leaders are increasingly in a position to make important, impactful decisions around LGBTQ+ matters, but may feel underprepared to do so. To build your confidence and competence in this sensitive area, please join our cohort of international school leaders for a day-long pre-conference on LGBTQ+ policy development with Dr. Emily Meadows.


Emily has worked with dozens of international schools across the world to develop sound LGBTQ+ inclusion policies, and will share her tips and tricks for success. You will leave with a stronger understanding of both the why and the how of LGBTQ+ policy, as well as communication strategy to build momentum around this work at your school.


Colleagues are strongly encouraged to participate together as school partners or teams whenever possible. Participants with any level of experience in LGBTQ+ matters are welcome, and considerations will be made for those working in contexts with limited LGBTQ+ rights and protections.


Here's what you'll gain during our day together:


  • LGBTQ+ foundational concepts and terminology
  • Solid rationale for establishing LGBTQ+ policy at your school
  • Research-backed best practices to strengthen your school's commitments to LGBTQ+ child safeguarding
  • Pragmatic strategies and concrete policy language on specifics such as: bathrooms, change rooms, pronouns, sports, and travel
  • When and how to maintain privacy
  • Answers to some of the most common FAQ's around LGBTQ+ inclusion in international schools
  • Next steps to effectively take this inclusion work forward with your school communities


Pre-conference Date:  February 2, 2025

Registration Fee:  $350 per person


We look forward to hosting you in D.C. for this practical pre-conference on LGBTQ+ inclusion policy for international schools.


Register here.

Accelerating Innovation with Richard Boerner and David Palumbo

Richard Boerneris the Superintendent at Graded -The American School of São Paulo​ in Brazil. Previously, Richard was Superintendent of the American International School Dhaka and Director and MS/HS Principal at Korea International School. Richard holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Central Washington University.

Dr. David Palumbo is the Chairman of Education Accelerated​ in Austin, Texas. Previously, David was Senior Strategic Advisor at Avenues: The World School and Chief Academic and Information Officer at National Heritage Academies. David holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Psychology/Instructional Technology from West Virginia University.

Accelerating Innovation Through Collaboration

An Action-Oriented Approach to Building Momentum and Scale


There is power in collaboration. That power can positively lead to both momentum and scale of innovation in education. Join us and your colleagues for a dynamic two-day Think Tank where we will collaborate to design agile, impactful strategies for accelerating solutions to the most complex and relevant issues in schooling. Embrace inclusivity, action-oriented focus, and measurable outcomes to transform the future of education.


Pre-conference Dates:  February 1 and 2, 2025

Registration Fee:  $450 per person

Future-Focused Education: An Action-Oriented Think Tank Experience


In a rapidly changing world, the field of international education must adapt with agility and innovation. This immersive two-day pre-conference Think Tank is designed for forward-thinking educators, administrators, and stakeholders who are ready to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change.

What to Expect:

  • Agility and Flexibility: Engage in short, iterative planning cycles that allow for rapid adaptation. Respond to new insights and shifting circumstances with confidence.
  • Inclusive Participation: Collaborate with a diverse group of participants—including educators, students, community leaders, and industry experts—to ensure a rich tapestry of perspectives and ideas.
  • Action-Oriented Focus: Move beyond theory. Prioritize immediate action and develop tangible solutions through real-time problem-solving and experimentation.
  • Impact-Driven Outcomes: Focus on creating strategies with measurable impacts. Utilize continuous evaluation and feedback loops to assess progress and refine your approaches.


Who Should Attend:

  • International education leaders seeking innovative strategies.
  • Educators passionate about collaborative decision-making.
  • Stakeholders committed to transforming educational practices for immediate and lasting impact.

Deliverables: 

  1. Fusion Framework: A proven method to quickly and effectively understand What is, what could be, what should be and what will be the future of education, with local actionable steps.
  2. ABCQ: We are often bound by our experiences and collective mindset. This binds innovation to iterative and incremental approaches. By stretching your edges you will consider out of the box "Q solutions" to address challenges and opportunities facing education. Through the experience you will have actionable steps to take Q solutions back to your schools.
  3. Collaborative Network: Enhanced connections with a diverse group of international education professionals and stakeholders for ongoing support and idea exchange. Using the wisdom of crowds and multiple sets of eyes and ears, we will provide noth a network, a standard set of tools, and a shared vocabulary to extend the engagement beyond the conference calendar dates.
  4. Agile Planning Toolkit: A set of methods for short, iterative planning cycles that can be applied to future projects and initiatives.
  5. Inclusive Engagement Strategies: Techniques and better practices for involving a broad range of stakeholders in decision-making and change leadership processes.

Join us in co-creating the future of international education. Leave equipped with the tools, connections, and actionable plans necessary to make a real difference in your community and beyond.


Register here.

Collective Efficacy in Action with ISCA and SENIA International

The International School Counselor Association (ISCA) 


Cheryl Brown is the Founder and Director of ISCA. Cheryl Brown, M.A. in International Affairs and French Studies and a Certified Teacher, brings a wealth of experience to her role as Founder and Director of ISCA. With over twenty-three years of experience in international schools, Cheryl has demonstrated her passion for education through her extensive work in high school counseling across six countries: Pakistan, England, Indonesia, China, Poland, and Oman.


In addition to her background in education, Cheryl has made significant contributions to NGOs, multinational corporations, and government organizations worldwide. Her expertise includes managing policies at an educational accreditation agency, where she focused on enhancing and maintaining the standards and quality of educational programs.


Cheryl is also the co-developer and co-researcher of the International Model for School Counseling Programs, published in both 2011 and 2022. This groundbreaking work has had a lasting impact on the field, highlighting Cheryl's commitment to fostering excellence in education on a global scale.


Brooke Fezler is the Founder and Director of ISCA. Brooke Fezler, M.A. in Counseling, serves as the Founder and Director of ISCA, bringing her vast experience in international school counseling to the organization. Since 2005, Brooke has worked across five countries - Indonesia, Argentina, France, Brazil, and Spain - making a significant impact in the field of education.


Before her career in counseling, Brooke gained valuable experience working in advertising and marketing for major agencies in the United States. This background has equipped her with the skills to effectively coordinate school-wide initiatives, promoting the implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs.


As a testament to her dedication to the advancement of education, Brooke is also the co-developer and co-researcher of the International Model for School Counseling Programs, published in 2011 and 2022. Her collaborative work in this groundbreaking research demonstrates her unwavering commitment to elevating the standards and practices in school counseling on an international level.

SENIA International 


Lori Boll is the Executive Director of SENIA. Lori brings a wealth of experience and a deep personal connection to the field of Inclusive Education. Her journey began in 2003 when her son Braden was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD), a pivotal moment that ignited her passion for advocating for creating more inclusive schools.


With two Masters degrees in Reading Education and Special Education, Lori has amassed over twenty-five years of teaching experience in both international and domestic settings. Her career has taken her to the American International School Riyadh, Jakarta Intercultural School, Concordia International School, Shanghai, International School Bangkok, as well as schools in Saipan, California and Colorado.


Currently serving as the Executive Director of SENIA International, Lori channels her passion into supporting the professional development of educators worldwide. Through her leadership, she continues to advocate for inclusive practices and empower educators to make a meaningful difference in the lives of neurodivergent and disabled individuals.


Andrea Lillis is the Deputy Executive Director of SENIA. Before joining SENIA, Andrea was an elementary school homeroom teacher focused on student-led inquiry in inclusive environments. Andrea enjoyed teaching in North America, the Middle East, and Asia and recently repatriated to Canada.


Andrea has a Masters in Education focused on literacy. 


In her free time, Andrea enjoys kayaking, hiking, reading, cooking, and volunteering with local animal rescues.

Collective Efficacy in Action: Supporting Neurodiverse and Diverse Learners

with ISCA and SENIA International


This pre-conference workshop, led by SENIA International and ISCA, focuses on leveraging collective efficacy to drive school improvement, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity for neurodiverse students and those with diverse learning needs. Designed for school leaders, it provides strategies to enhance collaboration among leadership, learning support, counseling teams, and parents. By implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), participants will gain practical tools to create inclusive learning environments that support both academic and social-emotional development for all learners.


Key Takeaways for School Leaders:

  1. Enhance Team Collaboration: Develop unified approaches to support diverse learners, aligning with MTSS and integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
  2. Promote Inclusive Leadership: Implement shared leadership models and integrate UDL to create accessible learning environments.
  3. Foster a Positive School Culture: Cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusion, prioritizing SEL to enhance the well-being of all students.
  4. Strengthen Community Partnerships: Build effective communication channels with families to support inclusive education and SEL initiatives.


Pre-conference Date: February 2, 2025

Registration Fee: $350 per person


Join SENIA and ISCA to gain practical leadership tools and techniques for fostering effective teamwork and creating truly inclusive learning environments.


Register here.



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