2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference

2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference

October 23 & 24, 2024
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
1657 Worcester Rd
Framingham, MA 01701

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 15

Educators and school leaders have the enormous potential to generate change. Schools are centers of the community, nurturing spaces for young minds, and centers of thought leadership and knowledge. Through the close relationships your stakeholders hold with families, schools are positioned to supply the ‘unity’ in ‘community’ and lead efforts to ensure a sense of belonging for everyone. 

Come to AISNE’s annual event centered on the work of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. It is work that runs across all aspects of a school’s operations—from student life to the business office, from academics to human resources. Bring all members of your school staff and faculty to this 2-day event and make intentional time to enrich your practice with new ideas and connections. You will come away with best practices for making actionable change within your community, and a renewed commitment for building learning environments for every student.

Pricing

Number of Attendees AISNE Member Schools Non-Member School
Early Bird
(through 8/30 only)		 $469 $569
1 – 3 $569 $669
 4 – 9 $509 $609
 10 – 19 $459 $559
 20+ $429 $529

 

REGISTER HERE

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 15

We strive to create an inclusive learning environment for all. If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us at info@aisne.org.

Hotel

We encourage you to stay on site to maximize the community feel of the event and fully experience the program. AISNE has a contracted room block with the Sheraton Framingham.

Rooms are $199/nt + tax.
GROUP RATE ENDS OCTOBER 7

Book Your Hotel Room

Agenda at a Glance

Wednesday, October 23 

  • 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Registration, Networking, and Ask an Expert
  • 9:30 – 10:30 AM | Equity Forward Think Tanks by Role
  • 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Opening Keynote: Liz Kleinrock
  • 12:00 – 2:15 PM | Lunch, Children’s Literature Panel, & Networking
  • 1:45 – 2:15 PM | Book Signings with Our General Session Presenters
  • 2:15 – 3:30 PM | Topic Sessions: Toolkit Building
  • 3:45 – 5:00 PM | BIPOC Affinity Space
  • 3:45 – 5:00 PM | White Allies Workshop
  • 3:45 – 5:00 PM | Ask an Expert
  • 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dine-on-Your Own
  • 8:00 – 9:30 PM | Community Celebration: ¡Merengue y Margaritas!

Thursday, October 24 

  • 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast 
  • 8:00 – 9:00 AM | LGBTQIA+ Community Breakfast 
  • 9:00 – 10:15 AM | Keynote: Britt Hawthorne & Tiffany Jewell
  • 10:30 – 11:45 AM | Topic Sessions 
  • 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Lunch
  • 1:00 – 2:15 PM | Topic Sessions
  • 2:30 – 3:45 PM | Closing Keynote: Jason Craige Harris

REGISTER HERE

General Sessions

A photograph of Liz Kleinrock. She is wearing a black t-shirt with the words Phenomenally Asian on it.Wednesday, October 23 | 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Liz Kleinrock | Start Here, Start Now: A Discussion about Equity-Forward Practices

Join moderator Liz Kleinrock and a panel of esteemed AISNE community members for an insightful discussion on fostering inclusive futures within educational institutions. This engaging session will spotlight concrete examples, practical tools, and real-life experiences of implementing equity-forward practices on campuses. From innovative strategies to actionable insights, participants will gain valuable knowledge and inspiration to navigate the journey towards greater equity and inclusivity in their own educational settings. Panelists include Julian Braxton (Winsor School), Rick DaSilva (St. Mark’s School), Linda Hughes (Walnut Hill School for the Arts), and Ivy Alphonse-Crean (Dedham Country Day School).

Liz Kleinrock (she/her) is an award winning educator and best selling author, as well as a Korean-American transracial adoptee, queer, Jewish woman. In 2018, Liz received the Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2019 delivered her TED Talk, How to Teach Kids to Talk about Taboo Topics. In the spring of 2021, Liz released her first book, Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community with Heinemann Publishing, and is excited to share the publication of four children’s books with HarperCollins. Liz was named one of Top 100 Influential Jews 2022 and 2023 by The Tel Aviv Institute. She currently works as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Lowell School in Washington, DC, a Pre-K – 8 school, and resides in the District with her partner, cat, and two bunnies.

Thursday, October 24 | 9:00 – 10:15 AM
Britt Hawthorne & Tiffany Jewell | Chart Your Course: Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist Journeys

This interactive session is dedicated to empowering you with the tools and knowledge you need to cultivate anti-racist classrooms and communities. Through storytelling, reflection, and practical strategies, you will explore integrating anti-racist principles into your teaching and school leadership practice to foster equity and belonging for all students. Embark on a transformative journey with Britt and Tiffany as they lead a dynamic conversation on navigating anti-bias and anti-racist practices. Discover practical strategies and insightful perspectives for teaching and working through an anti-racist lens. Britt and Tiffany are passionate about empowering administrators and educators to create inclusive, authentic communities where every individual is seen and valued. Join us as we chart a course towards a more equitable and just educational landscape. 

Britt Hawthorne (they/she) is the author of the New York Times Bestseller Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide. Britt is also an antiracist educator, teacher, speaker, visionary, and advocate committed to raising a generation of antiracist children by fostering equitable learning environments for students and children of all ages and backgrounds. Compassionate and challenging, Britt’s voice continues to be sought-after for training and workshops at schools and universities across the nation. Her work has been recognized by PBS, the National Education Association, Drew Barrymore, Google Edu, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Rice University, the Association Montessori Internationale, and countless more. Britt has traveled extensively to speak at conferences, authored publications, and appeared on podcasts covering social justice, liberation, and equity in education. And, she keeps the conversation moving forward.

Tiffany Jewell is a Black biracial writer, twin sister, first-generation American, cisgender mama, anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator, and consultant. She is the author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller, This Book Is Anti-Racist, a book for young folks and everyone to wake up, take action, and do the work of becoming antiracist as well as The Antiracist Kid: A Book About Identity, Justice, and Activism, and the recently released Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School. Tiffany has been working with children and families for nearly two decades and worked as a Montessori educator for fifteen years. She enjoys working with educators and supporting them building strong, authentic communities in which every child can be seen and valued. Tiffany is the co-founder, alongside Britt Hawthorne, of ABARatSchool, an organization that strives to support educators and caregivers in their anti-bias antiracist journeys. She also served as the president of the founding board of the national organization, Montessori for Social Justice. Tiffany lives on the homeland of the Pocumtuc and the Nipmuck with her two young storytellers, husband, and a turtle she’s had since she was nine years old.

Thursday, October 24 | 2:30 – 3:45 PM
Jason Craige Harris | The Election: Preparing to Respond to the Outcome

Election outcomes generate intense emotional responses. Those responses have indicated just how passionately people feel about politics and ethics––and just how much they believe is at stake. Students are deeply influenced by the expressions of concern by adults and have their own concerns. They, too, get caught up in the whirlwind of discourse taking place in the media and the people they encounter in their lives. No matter the outcome of the upcoming presidential election, schools need to be ready to care for their students and adults. This keynote session does not adopt a political view. Instead, participants will be invited to explore practices of community care-taking after major external shifts that nevertheless can impact the interior life of a school. We will explore how to make sense of the emotionality of the moment and a framework for understanding how identity intersects with the experience of anxiety and upheaval. You will come away with practices for interpersonal care and support in challenging moments and communal practices of care that can be brought to scale.

Jason Craige Harris is a voice for healing, transformation, and the power of storytelling. He brings together insights from diverse fields as a facilitator, conflict mediator, leadership coach, and spiritual teacher. He works in a variety of contexts, with a range of constituents, and across industries to promote cultures of dignity, belonging, and repair. He regularly advises leaders on how to solve big challenges, manage complex crises, and pursue lasting change. As a researcher, educator, and strategist, Jason holds expertise in organizational development; dignity and belonging; dialogue and group dynamics; the psychology of identity and leadership; and conflict transformation and restorative justice. In all of his work, Jason draws on a deep well of research, practice, and mindfulness to transform leaders, teams, and organizational cultures. Jason is a member of the speakers bureau at Pollyanna, a national organization working to promote racial literacy and cultural competency. He writes on issues pertaining to leadership, culture, conflict, abuse, repair, and religion/spirituality. Jason is also the Social Impact Producer for a documentary with Impactful, Race to Be Human, that explores how to talk about race and mental health. Previously, Jason was the director of diversity and inclusion at a NYC independent school, where he co-led the school’s peace, equity, and justice department and taught courses at the intersection of ethics, history, and religion. Jason sits on the boards of Seeds of Peace, Hidden Water, and Getting to We.

Agenda

Wednesday, October 23

8:30 – 9:30 AM | Registration, Networking, and Ask an Expert
Start the day by meeting with subject experts on a variety of DEIB topics, from racial justice to neurodiversity. Shop for the latest titles at the Wellesley Books pop-up shop, and chat with your fellow attendees before the program begins.

9:30 – 10:30 AM | Equity Forward Think Tanks: Navigating Inclusive Futures (By Role)
Explore how DEIB can be integrated into all aspects of school life in these roundtable discussions with peers holding the same role as you. In these small facilitated groups, you and your peers will discuss the current landscape of equity work, and talk about strategies for fostering more inclusive school cultures and addressing challenges. 

  • Heads of School, Board Chairs, Trustees, Assistant & Associate Heads of School: DEIB and the Life of a Leader
    Facilitated by Nicole DuFauchard
    Join fellow school leaders to discuss how senior leaders can amplify DEI in daily leadership. Explore leadership strategies for DEI integration across school programs.
  • Faculty & Staff: Becoming an Identity-Conscious Educator
    Facilitated by Liza Talusan
    Discuss practical steps for integrating identity-conscious approaches in the classroom with teachers of like-aged students.
  • Deans, Department Chairs, Division Heads
    Explore leadership’s role in amplifying DEIB within your teams and departments.
  • Athletic Directors, Coaches, Wellness Staff
    We will center on the question of how DEIB can impact athletics and student wellbeing.
  • Admissions, Advancement, Business, Communications, Marketing
    Facilitated by Rodney Eric Lopez
    Uncover DEIB best practices that can and should be embedded in your daily work in school operations and business.

Each session will be participant-driven, with facilitators and peers sharing insights, prompts, and action steps. This is a great opportunity to collaborate, reflect, and strategize around equity in your role.

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Opening Keynote: Liz Kleinrock
See above.

12:00 – 1:30 PM | Lunch & Stories that Shape Us: Using Children’s Literature to Explore DEIB in the Classroom
  
Facilitated by: Elyse Seltzer | Library Director and DEIB Curriculum Liaison at Brimmer and May School
Panelists: Gwendolyn Wallace, Autumn Allen, Stephanie Seales, Jennifer DeLeon, and Sacha Lamb | Authors
Children’s and young adult literature has the power to open minds, build empathy, and spark important conversations about DEIB. Join a panel of acclaimed children’s and YA authors as they share insights into their books and discuss how these stories can be powerful tools for exploring DEIB themes in your classrooms. You will hear personal anecdotes and examples of how their works can be integrated into the curriculum to foster inclusive and respectful learning environments. Leave with practical ideas for using literature to engage students in meaningful discussions about identity, community, and social justice. This session is ideal for educators, librarians, and administrators who are passionate about harnessing the power of stories to create a more equitable and inclusive school culture.

2:00 – 3:15 PM | Topic Sessions: Toolkit Building

Embracing Neurodiversity

Presented by: Brandon Boston and Tanya Lynch | Co-Founders at Boston Group
The landscape of education, and the the makeup of our classrooms and schools, is ever-evolving. Students come to us with varying levels of abilities in all aspects of academic and non-academic endeavors. As we become more aware of the neurodiversity of our population, general education teachers have a responsibility to meet the needs of all of the learners in their classrooms. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to step inside the shoes of a student who has challenges with reading/listening comprehension, written expression, attention and executive function; experiencing firsthand, the daily struggles that many learners face. By developing this empathy and understanding, school leaders and educators will leave this workshop with very specific and actionable strategies to support students with diverse learning needs.

Trauma-Informed Classroom Strategies and Practices

Presented by: Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite | Psychiatrist, CEO & Founder at Well Minds Psychiatry and Consulting
Learn to integrate trauma-informed strategies into your classroom practices. You will explore the profound impact of trauma on students’ learning and behavior, and gain practical strategies for creating a supportive and resilient classroom environment. Will we discuss how to recognize the signs of trauma, understand its effects on student engagement, and implement evidence-based practices that promote emotional safety and academic success. In discussion with your fellow attendees you will gain tools to foster a classroom culture that is not only responsive to the needs of all students but also empowers them to thrive. This session is essential for educators committed to enhancing their teaching practices by embedding trauma-informed principles into their daily interactions with students. Whether you are new to trauma-informed education or looking to deepen your understanding, you will leave with actionable strategies to make your classroom a place of healing and growth.

Onboard Your Board: How and Why to Engage in Equity and Inclusion Work with Your Board

Presented by: Martha Haakmat (she/her) | Executive Director, Haakmat Consulting
Designed for anyone who interfaces with their school’s Board of Directors and Board Trustees themselves. This interactive session invites you to explore strategies for effectively involving your board in meaningful equity and inclusion initiatives. You will learn practical approaches to fostering board member commitment and collaboration, ensuring that these crucial efforts are embedded in the leadership and governance of your institution. Leave with actionable insights and tools to drive transformative change through board engagement. We will dive into real-world examples of successful board engagement in equity initiatives from around the independent school world.

Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Eliminating Bias in the Hiring Process

Presented by: Elizabeth Grumbach, Lower School Science Teacher at Moses Brown School | Gretchen McAuliffe, Director of Human Resources at Carroll School | Osamagbe Osagie, Director of Equity and Inclusion at Carroll School | Sara Shifrin, Associate Head of School for Strategy and Talent at Gould Academy | Erik Wilker, Director of Administrative & Strategic Affairs at Moses Brown School
This session is ideal for school leaders, administrators, and HR professionals committed to advancing DEIB within their institution. A diverse and inclusive adult school community of faculty, staff, and administrators is essential for fostering an equitable and enriching educational environment. However, unconscious biases can often affect the hiring process, hindering the goal of building truly inclusive schools. In this session, leaders from Moses Brown School and Gould Academy  will share innovative and practical approaches their respective schools have implemented to identify and eliminate bias throughout the recruitment and hiring process. You will explore effective strategies such as structured interviews, inclusive job postings, bias training for search committees, and equitable evaluation methods. Through real-world examples from two AISNE member schools and interactive discussions, attendees will gain valuable insights into creating transparent and fair hiring practices that attract and retain diverse talent.

Circle: A New/Old Way of Forging Lasting Human Connections

Presented by: Jason Craige Harris (he/him) | Mediator, Facilitator, Educator at Pollyanna 
Schools suffer from fraying social relationships. Overlapping social crises and a global pandemic have deepened fractures in school communities. Yet our ability to relate to one another—student to student, employee to student, employee to employee, and all to families—is integral to the project of creating schools as sites of belonging. Schools need practical tools to proactively build positive relationships of care and dignity and to address conflict and harm when they occur. In this session, participants will learn about the practice of Peacemaking Circles, an indigenous-inspired dialogue format, and how to use it in schools to build and repair relationships.

Ready, Set, Soar: Reimagining Our Orientation Process

Presented by: Melissa Lawlor (she/her) | Upper School Director of Equity and Inclusion & Tasha Otenti, Diretcor of International Student Services  at Milton Academy
Orientation programs are often underrated and overlooked as a powerful tool for developing community and belonging in our independent school spaces. While much research has been conducted in higher education about the impact of orientation on student experience, there is a lack of research informing the secondary school space. In this interactive session, participants will reflect on the underlying goals of their current orientation programs and collaboratively reimagine those programs with an equity lens. The focus will be on creating orientation programs that foster a sense of belonging, particularly for students from marginalized communities.

Spill the Disabili-Tea™

Presented by: Alex Locust (he/she/they) | Disability Justice Educator, Activist, and Glamputee
Fostering inclusion and accessibility in educational communities is an expectation, not an option. This engaging workshop features real talk, experiential exercises, group work, and plenty of laughs as participants delve into the crucial topic of disability advocacy. Expect to leave with practical strategies and a renewed commitment to creating more inclusive environments for individuals with disabilities. Join us for this session as we all Spill the Disabili-Tea on a subject that is near and dear to the hearts of countless educators and school leaders.

Beyond the Land Acknowledgement

Presented by: Megan Red Shirt-Shaw | Director of Native Student Services at the University of South Dakota
Land acknowledgments have become a powerful introduction to convocations, graduations, meetings, conferences, and more. Despite the intent, institutions must challenge themselves to move away from performative acts and move into commitments of real transformative change. In this session you will gain actionable ideas and concepts for how to move beyond land acknowledgments and toward genuine relationships with Native community members. Megan Red Shirt-Shaw discusses her research into how education institutions received their land and the steps independent schools can take for land-based reparations.

Leading Empowering Meetings for Amplifying Agency and Voice

Presented by: Indu Singh (she/her) | Educational Consultant & Leadership Coach at Door 21, Member, AISNE Board of Directors
Rethink adult meeting spaces as mechanisms for inclusion, growth, collaboration, and culture-building. This workshop will explore meeting protocols that cultivate deeper collaboration and actionable outcomes across a range of meeting constituents, from faculty to senior leadership teams—offering alternatives to open-ended discourse that often privileges individual voices. You will reflect on current practices, learn about effective meeting protocols, and design inclusive meeting structures tailored to your adult learners’ needs.

3:30 – 4:45 PM | Racial Affinity Spaces & Ask an Expert
During this time, speak to our topic experts, be in community with your peers, or focus on your capacity for allyship. 

Better Together: BIPOC Power through Connection

Facilitated by: Martha Haakmat (she/her) | Executive Director, Haakmat Consulting
There is much to be hopeful about as the equity pendulum swings powerfully by the force of our collective work and action. In this session, all attendees who identify as BIPOC are invited to celebrate connection with new colleagues and longtime friends, explore where we are in terms of our expertise and positioning in our roles, and practice engaging with resistance in ways that preserve our joy and integrity. This space is intended exclusively for those who self-identify as BIPOC.

The Journey to White Allyship in Divisive Times

Facilitated by: Kelly Bird (she/her) | President, Making Space
Self-reflection is critical for white people to identify how racism is showing up inside us and around us in our daily lives. Understanding the power and privilege of Whiteness within the context of our multifaceted identities is an important step in becoming white anti-racist allies for one another and BIPOC people. In this divisive election season, clarity about our positionality, our values, and our school’s mission is essential as we call people in to create communities of civil discourse and belonging.

5:30 – 7:30 PM | Dine-on-Your Own

8:00 – 9:30 PM | Community Celebration: ¡Merengue y Margaritas!

Hosted by: Rodney Eric Lopez | Educator, Artist, and Non-Profit Leaders
Come have fun, enjoy refreshments, and learn some new moves at this active dance mixer, hosted by Rodney Eric Lopez. Rodney is an accomplished dance instructor and performer and was the director of the Salsa Program at Dance Manhattan, one of New York’s finest social dance studios. Today, he provides coaching and consulting services in the areas of arts education, fundraising and development, and nonprofit leadership. All attendees are welcome to join the fun!

Thursday, October 24

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Networking Breakfast
Gather in our ballroom for a great way to start the day. Make new friends and deepen existing peer connection. 

8:00 – 9:00 AM | LGBTQIA+ Community Breakfast
This joyous breakfast serves as an affinity space for our attendees in the queer community. Led by AISNE members from area schools, and welcoming several of our queer-identifying conference speakers, this is a time to let your hair down, meet new people, and start the day with laughter and light. 

9:00 – 10:15 AM | Morning Keynote: Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell
See above.

10:30 – 11:45 AM | Topic Sessions

Bridge to Belonging: Nurturing Transracial Adoptees in School Communities

Presented by: Brad Belin, Assistant Head of School for Curriculum + Program at Glen Urquhart School | John Bower, Head of Middle School at The Rivers School | Tina Fox, Lower Division Head at The Park School
Join us for a panel discussion with adult transracial adoptees (“TRAs”) from independent schools. You will hear personal narratives from the panelists’ own educational experiences and continued work and learn how to best support TRA students and families. We will focus on how to make these students’ experiences in our schools and communities as inclusive as possible. In addition to sharing their origin stories, and experiences of working in schools as TRAs, panelists will provide time for questions and answers.

Bathrooms, Dress Code, Pronouns & Stereotypes: A Gender Conversation for 2024

Presented by: Jennifer Bryan, PhD | Founder and Principal at Re-Set School
This session will guide you in developing gender-inclusive policies and practices in PreK-12 independent schools. You’ll build gender and sexuality literacy, examine gender’s role in identity development, and use case studies to address real-world dilemmas. The session will highlight how gender inclusion intersects with other identifiers, offering strategies to support all students’ learning and development.

How You Can Make Time for “The Work”

Presented by: Dennis Canty, Dean of Students, Equity, and Campus Life & Raquel Majeski, Associate Head of School | Lawrence Academy
Are you struggling to find the time to do intentional DEIBJ training with your adult community? In this session, you will hear how Lawrence Academy found the time and resources for impactful training for staff and faculty. You will learn how to develop a scope and sequence for these adult learners in your school and foster a their professional growth around equity and inclusion. Come away with an examples of how to create space in the school day for this work.

Building Bridges Through Storytelling: Strengthening School Communities with The Story Bridge Project

Presented by: Jennifer DeLeon & Adam Stumacher, Facilitators at Story Bridge | Maria-Veronica Barnes, Assistant Head for Program and DEI at Lexington Montessori School
Come learn about The Story Bridge Project, a remarkable program designed to help educators, administrators, and school leaders leverage storytelling as a tool for community building and understanding. Whether you’re communicating with parents, community leaders, colleagues, or families, the ability to share your personal narrative—and understand theirs—creates opportunities for connection and empathy.  You’ll learn how storytelling can be a bridge to overcoming divides, building trust, and fostering a stronger, more inclusive school environment. In this dynamic and engaging session, Adam Stumacher, Jennifer DeLeon, and Maria Veronica Barnes from Lexington Montessori will co-facilitate an exploration of The Story Bridge Project.

Changing Our World One Authentic Self at a Time: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families

Presented by: Linda Donnelly, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at The Common School | Peggy Gillespie, Co-Founder and Director of Family Diversity Projects
Diverse gender identities present themselves in students and families at every age. In an age where trans and non-binary identities are under attack, it is critical for schools to be affirming and supportive spaces for all students. The Authentic Selves project, a photo and text exhibit showcasing and celebrating gender identities at all ages, was one way that The Common School (Amherst, MA) worked toward the vision of honoring each child’s true self. Come hear how you can talk about gender identities in age appropriate ways from Pre-K – 12 grade using the Authentic Selves exhibit and book as a focus of curriculum development. We will share successes, struggles, and missteps as we work to expand children’s understanding of gender identities and gender expression. There will be time to work in small groups to swap resources and share what is and is not working in your school. 

Embracing Religious Identities in Schools and Classrooms

Presented by: Liz Kleinrock | Author & Educator
When it comes to diversity and intersectionality, religious identities are quickly passed over or ignored in schools. However, faith-based values and beliefs are at the core of much of the controversy we are seeing in education today in terms of reasons and rationales for book bannings, school board protests, and anti-CRT legislation. Often, religious identities and beliefs are often ignored or rejected as anti-intellectual in academic spaces. However, religion, faith, and spirituality play important roles in many of our lives and show up in our classrooms as a result.In order to overcome religious ignorance and intolerance, it is necessary that we listen and learn from one another. Many of our faiths tie us together in shared values of justice and community, more than they divide us, and can become a unifying thread in the fabric of our education spaces.

Demystifying Microaggressions

Presented by: Alex Locust (he/she/they) | Disability Justice Educator, Activist, and Glamputee
Let’s pull back the veil on the complex phenomenon of microaggressions, particularly as the occur in the creation of inclusive communities. Come away empowered to begin engaging in your respective communities in these challenging, yet important dialogues. You will leave with an increased awareness of respectful language and behavior, as well as strategies to promote environments where community members can be open and engaged to encountering differences across cultural experiences.

The Neuroscience of Hate

Presented by: Milyna Phillips, Owner, and Jini Rae Sparkman, Sr. Consultant, at Phillips Collaborative
For the past several decades, there has been continuous studies of our brains–many of which have informed disability policy, learning strategies, understanding biases, and developmental models. Alongside this has also been another thread that seems to be an imperative in our contemporary understandings of sociological and educational relationships—hate. We may not like the word. It may feel charged to us. Hate is showing up in the very way that our brains develop, in behavior and actions. Come to this session to familiarize yourself with the neuroscience and research around hate and ideological development. You will uncover the ways that hate leaves others vulnerable to forces beyond their control and strategies for applying this knowledge to your work back at school.

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | Lunch & Book Signings
Keynote speakers Britt Hawthorne and Tiffany Jewell will sign copies of their books (11:30 AM – 12:30 PM), as will speaker Liza Talusan (11:45 – 12:45 PM). At our all-attendee lunch, you will hear more personal narratives from your fellow AISNE members. 

1:00 – 2:15 PM | Topic Sessions

Laugh Now, Cry Later: Developing Empathy for a Generation of Boys Online and Out of Reach
 
Presented by: Sami Atif, Director of Equity and Inclusion at The Fessenden School | Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez, Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion at Phillips Exeter Academy
Explore strategies for fostering student leadership, advocacy, vulnerability, and collective empathy through a gender-focused lens. Combining their distinct approaches, Sami and Kevin will share tools, case studies, and best practices to help you support young men throughout their maturation while challenging traditional gender norms. Gain an appreciation for the complexity of what happens to young men and boys when we hold them to high expectations but settle for a low standard.

When the Professional is Personal: Exploring the Experience of LGBTQIA+ Adults in Our Schools

Presented by: Jennifer Bryan, PhD | Founder and Principal at Re-Set School
Efforts to deepen understanding and acceptance of Gender and Sexuality Diversity are ongoing in many AISNE schools. Yet national political rhetoric and the advancement of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation in many parts of the country have made the work of fostering belonging here in New England harder. The pushback against inclusive curriculum, programs and LGBTQIA+ people themselves is real in some of our K-12 schools. What is it like for adults who identify as LGBTQIA+––or who have LGBTQIA+ family members–– to work in our schools at this time? Join Dr. Bryan for an exploration of these personal-professional opportunities, dilemmas and challenges. Bring candor, humility and humor!

Deconstructing “Business as Usual”: How to Radically Rethink Recruitment, Hiring, and Retaining Faculty of Color
 
Presented by: Eddie Carson, Dean of Residential Life and Belonging at Vermont Academy | Jenny Jun-lei Kravitz, Director of Institutional Equity at The Rivers School
School leadership often relies on outdated and ineffective strategies when it comes to recruiting, hiring, and retaining faculty of color. While hiring practices are challenging, retention is an even greater issue that persists within independent schools. Frequently, schools assert, “We are trying,” yet their efforts are performative, and incremental changes fail to address this long-standing problem meaningfully. This session proposes a more radical and sustainable approach to diversifying faculty, addressing the self-imposed barriers that many schools face. What could happen if we embraced revolutionary methods to inspire transformative change? Using a blend of qualitative and quantitative data, active case studies, and an examination of the limitations of current practices, participants will be introduced to anti-racist models that offer effective strategies for hiring and retaining faculty of color. You will leave this session equipped with actionable, bold ideas and feasible next steps to drive meaningful change within their schools.

Justice in the Classroom: Shared Language You Need to Know
 
Presented by: Britt Hawthorne & Tiffany Jewell | Authors & Educators
This workshop empowers educators to introduce fairness and justice in their classrooms, focusing on developing shared language around critical topics. Participants will use updated language that reflects the realities of today’s world, ensuring their communication is accurate and inclusive. Britt and Tiffany will provide tools for introducing complex ideas—such as privilege, access, and justice—in developmentally appropriate ways, fostering an environment where all learners are affirmed. You will leave with strategies to ensure their language is not only current but also reflective of their students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences, promoting a more just and compassionate classroom and school community.

Scaffolding Antibias and Antiracist Practices Through an Inquiry Lens

Presented by: Liz Kleinrock | Author & Educator
In this session, participants will learn about creating foundations for antibias and antiracism practices in their classrooms and school communities by utilizing a variety of texts, and teaching through an inquiry lens based on student prior knowledge, guiding questions, and equitable assessments. Participants will engage in discussions, practical exercises, and collaborative activities designed to equip them with the skills and strategies necessary to incorporate antibias and antiracist principles into their teaching practices.

Navigating Regional Geopolitics and Supporting International Students

Presented by: Andrew Lee, Assistant Head of School at Fayerweather Street School | Starry Zhu, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Middlesex School
The number of East Asian international students on our campuses continues to stabilize (or even increase) after the Covid pandemic. We are faced with new challenges to help our students navigate the heightened social, cultural, and political tensions among the major players in the regional geopolitics of Asia—which also happen to be the top sending countries of international students. In this workshop, we will review the modern history of East Asia and offer perspectives on the current socio-cultural and political climates and their potential impact on our students. After understanding the historical contexts and the value differences, you’ll be guided to apply the knowledge in case studies to unpack complex issues and address students’ needs and concerns. Come away more informed for your work supporting your international students from East Asia.

Leading with an Identity-Conscious Lens: Case Studies for Equitable and Just Classrooms

Presented by: Liza Talusan, PhD | Educator, Author, and Strategic Coach
Dr. Talusan will guide you through the process of leading with an identity-conscious lens to foster more responsive and responsible learning environments. Drawing on real-world scenarios, you will work through case studies addressing key aspects of identity, including race, class, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, language, and age. Through these case studies, we will grapple with three fundamental questions: How do I build knowledge about scenarios that involve identity?How do my thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors contribute to inequitable conditions? and What actions can I implement to align with the principles of equity and justice in my classrooms or leadership spaces? Come away with tangible strategies to apply identity-conscious practices in their day-to-day roles, ensuring a more inclusive and empowering environment for all students.

Strategic DEIB Planning through SWOT Analysis and Goal Setting

Presented by: Ann-Marie White | Director of Diversity and Equity at Putney School
In the dynamic and multifaceted world of DEIB work, it’s easy for practitioners to be seen as only putting out fires or coordinating holiday celebrations. This workshop is designed to empower DEIB professionals by equipping them with the tools to strategically plan and articulate the full scope of their impact within independent schools. You will dive deep into the SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) as a foundational tool for jump-starting DEIB strategic planning. We will explore how to distinguish between our immediate job responsibilities and our long-term strategic goals. The session will also provide insights into constructing measurable metrics that reflect the true value of the work. The workshop will conclude with practical strategies for presenting data in compelling ways that help school constituents recognize the comprehensive nature of DEIB initiatives.

2:30 – 3:45 PM | Closing Keynote: Jason Craige Harris (he/him/his)
See above.

Planning Committee

AISNE would like to extend its gratitude to our 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference Planning Committee Members:

Join Your Peers!

Join DEIB leaders, staff, and faculty from your fellow independent Pre-K – 12 schools, including:

Apple Orchard School • Austin Preparatory School • Bancroft School • Beacon Academy • Beaver Country Day School • Boston College High School • Brooks School • Brookwood School • Center School • Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall • The Chestnut Hill School • The Common School • Commonwealth School • Dana Hall School • Derby Academy • Eagle Hill School • Emma Willard School • Fay School • Fayerweather Street School • Fraser Woods Montessori School • Friends Academy • Hebron Academy •  Heronfield Academy • Inly School • Kents Hill School • Landmark High School • Lawrence Academy • The Learning Project • Lexington Montessori School • Lincoln School • Lowell School • Middlesex School • Milton Academy • Moses Brown School • Noble & Greenough School • The Park School • Phillips Academy • The Pike School • The Putney School • Riverbend School • The Rivers School • The Sage School • Shady Hill School • Shore Country Day School • Sophia Academy • St. Mark’s School • Tabor Academy • Tenacre Country Day School • Tower School • Ursuline Academy • Walnut Hill School for the Arts • The Wheeler School • The Williston Northampton School • The Winsor School • The Woodward School for Girls

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 10 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund, less a $150 administrative fee. This fee covers the cost of our minimum commitments with our hotel partners; thank you for your understanding. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 3 business days before the start of the event.

Note: During the Early Bird discount period (through August 30,2024) you may purchase tickets without registering an attendee. You will be asked to name the attendees at a later date. These unnamed tickets are non-refundable.

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