2025 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Conference

Gather with Purpose: Stories, Voices, and the Power of Belonging

October 21 & 22, 2025
The Westin Waltham Hotel
70 3rd Ave, Waltham, MA

Come to AISNE’s annual event centered on equipping educators and school leaders with resources they need to create welcoming, inclusive schools for every child. This work 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 your school a place of belonging for everyone in your community, and a renewed commitment for building learning environments for every student.

Pricing & Registration

Number of Attendees	AISNE Member Schools	Non-Member School
1 – 3	$599	$699
4 – 9	$540	$640
10 – 19	$480	$580
20+	$429	$529

REGISTER HERE

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 Westin Waltham at a discounted rate of $259/nt +tax. Please book your reservation prior to Wednesday, October 8 using link below.

The Westin Waltham Reservations

Agenda at a Glance

Tuesday, October 21

8:30 – 9:30 AM | Registration, Breakfast, Ask an Expert, and Bookstore
9:30 – 10:45 AM | Cultivating Conversation by Role
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Keynote, Priya Parker
12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch, Ask an Expert, Bookstore, and Book Signing with Priya Parker
1:30 – 3:15 PM | Topic Sessions
3:30 – 4:45 PM
- BIPOC Affinity Space
- White Allies Workshop
- Ask an Expert
- Book Signings: Jennifer De Leon, Ed Lin, Ali Michael, Shannon Rogers, Dr. Sharon Saline, and Liza Talusan
4:45 – 5:45 PM | Cocktail Hour & Meet the Authors
6:00 – 8:00 PM | Dine-On-Your-Own or Group Dinners (Optional)
8:30 – 10:00 PM | Evening Conference Activities (Optional)

Wednesday, October 22

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Registration, Breakfast, Ask an Expert, Bookstore
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Keynote, Jason Reynolds
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Topic Sessions
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch, Ask an Expert, Bookstore, and Book Signing with Ryan Bani Tahmaseb, Kyle Lukoff, Amy Moy, and Gwendolyn Wallace
12:00 – 1:00 PM | LGBTQIA+ Community Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 PM |
- Affinity Session
- White Allyship Session
- Bookstore
2:30 – 3:30 PM | Closing Session with Carlos Andrés Gómez
3:30 PM | Departure & Farewell

General Sessions

Tuesday, October 21 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Priya Parker | How We Gather: Shaping Connection in Schools and Beyond

What makes a gathering truly meaningful? Why do some conferences, meetings, or school events leave us energized and connected, while others fall flat or feel like they could’ve been an email? In this inspiring and deeply personal conversation, AISNE’s Executive Director, Sara Wilson, will sit down with acclaimed author, facilitator, and conflict resolution expert Priya Parker to explore what it takes to design gatherings that spark belonging, purpose, and transformation. Drawing from her experiences growing up across cultures and belief systems, along with years of leading dialogue in communities, campuses, and organizations, Priya will share stories, insights, and tools from her groundbreaking work, The Art of Gathering. Together, Sara and Priya will reflect on how gatherings shape school culture. They’ll explore how educators can become more intentional in bringing people together, whether in classrooms, boardrooms, or community events. This session will challenge us to move beyond routine formats and habitual planning and to instead ask bold questions: Why are we coming together? What do we want to create in this moment? How might we build connection in a way that honors both our shared purpose and our differences? Join us for a thought-provoking and practical conversation that will reframe how you think about the spaces you create and inspire you to gather with greater clarity, courage, and care.

Priya Parker (she/her) is a facilitator, strategic advisor, acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters, and executive producer and host of the New York Times podcast, Together Apart. Trained in the field of conflict resolution, Parker has spent 20 years guiding leaders and groups through complicated conversations about community, identity, and vision at moments of transition. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and two children.

Wednesday, October 22 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Jason Reynolds | Running Toward Identity: Teaching Students to Harness Their Individuality and the Stories that Shape Them

Join award-winning author Jason Reynolds for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation on how literature can open up meaningful dialogue about young adulthood, masculinity, identity, and vulnerability. Using his acclaimed work, Coach, as the starting point, Reynolds will explore the ways stories shape how young people see themselves and how we can help them reimagine those narratives.

Jason Reynolds (he/him) is a New York Times bestselling author and MacArthur Fellow, honored with numerous awards including the Newbery, Printz, Coretta Scott King, NAACP Image, and Kirkus Awards. He served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2020–2022 and is a two-time National Book Award finalist. Some of his acclaimed works include Look Both Ways, Ain’t Burned All the Bright (recipient of the Caldecott Honor), the Track series, Miles Morales Suspended, Stamped, Twenty-Four Seconds from Now…, and Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. His debut picture book, There Was a Party for Langston, won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. He currently lives in Washington, DC.

Carlos Andrés Gómez headshot Wednesday, October 22 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Carlos Andrés Gómez | Say It Anyway: Storytelling, Courage, and the Power of Belonging

Join award-winning poet, speaker, and author Carlos Andrés Gómez for a powerful and moving closing keynote experience that weaves together spoken word performance, interactive reflection, and intentional storytelling. As we conclude our time together under the theme Gather with Purpose: Stories, Voices, and the Power of Belonging, Carlos will guide us through a journey of radical vulnerability, reminding us that our stories—and our willingness to share them—are essential tools in building inclusive, courageous communities. Drawing from his recent work, including his poetry collection Fractures and his latest projects exploring masculinity, race, and connection, Carlos invites us to consider what it means to belong to ourselves and one another. Through moments of audience participation, deeply resonant poetry, and honest dialogue, this session will stir your heart, spark your imagination, and send you forward with purpose, recommitted to the transformative power of voice and presence. Leave this final gathering not with closure, but with renewed clarity and creative courage, ready to return to your school community grounded in empathy, energized by possibility, and inspired to lead with love.

Carlos Andrés Gómez ((he/him/él) is a Colombian American poet, author, performer, and educator who has shared his original work and done artist residencies at more than 1,500 independent schools, colleges, and universities in 47 U.S. states. His latest book Fractures (University of Wisconsin Press, 2020) was selected by Pulitzer Prize winner and 19th U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey as the winner of the Felix Pollak Prize. Winner of the Foreword INDIES Gold Medal and the International Book Award, Gómez has been published in The Nation, New England Review, Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day series,The Yale Review, Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World (W.W. Norton & Co., 2022), and elsewhere. A star of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and the Spike Lee movie Inside Man with Denzel Washington, Carlos has spent more than two decades using poetry and storytelling as tools to engage students and educators in courageous reflection and conversation around identity, connection, care, and community.

Detailed Agenda

Tuesday, October 21

8:30 – 9:30 AM | Registration and Breakfast
Registration, continental breakfast, networking, book signings, and Ask an Expert tables.

9:30 – 10:45 AM | Cultivating Conversation by Role
We will gather by professional role for facilitated conversations as a way to start our conference with community.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | General Session & Opening Keynote: Priya Parker
See above.

12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch, Ask an Expert, Bookstore, and Book Signing with Priya Parker

12:15 – 1:15 PM | Neurodivergent Community Lunch

12:15 – 1:15 PM | First Generation to College Community Lunch

12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch and Panel Discussion for the following roles: Heads, Assistant and Associate Heads, Trustees, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practitioners

Centering Belonging Through Authentic Leadership and Collaboration

Moderated by: Martha Haakmat | Executive Director, Haakmat Consulting
Join Martha Haakmat for a dynamic panel discussion that brings together two Heads of School and two Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practitioners who are deeply committed to fostering inclusive school cultures where every voice matters. Through personal insights and professional experiences, we will explore how courageous, collaborative leadership between Heads of Schools and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practitioners can transform communities. This luncheon session offers a space to examine what it means to center inclusion and belonging at all levels of school leadership—and how sustained, honest conversation is key to meaningful change.
Panelists (from L to R):
Derek Boonisar headshot Matt Ghiden, Thayer Academy headshot Martha Neubert headshot
Derek Boonisar | Head of School, Fenn School (MA)
Matt Ghiden | Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Thayer Academy (MA)
Danielle Heard | Head of School, Nashoba Brooks School (MA)
Martha Neubert | Director of Student Life, Stoneleigh-Burnham School (MA)

1:30 – 3:15 PM | Topic Sessions: Deep Dives (Choose One)

Mindfulness in Community: Practices that Build Belonging

Presented by: Dr. Ashley Hazelwood-Cameron | Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, Kathy Liu, | Science Faculty and Kate Westhaver | Humanities Faculty, Walnut Hill School for the Arts (MA)
Mindfulness is often seen as a solo practice, but in community it becomes a powerful way to build connection and belonging. In this interactive workshop, we will explore co-listening, reflective games, group gratitude, and creative expression—practices that deepen self-awareness and strengthen school relationships. Drawing on experiences from Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Kathy and Kate will share how community mindfulness helps fill emotional “cups” and reminds us we are not alone. You will leave with practical, accessible strategies—seated, movement-based, and art-based—to use in classrooms, meetings, and beyond.

Becoming an Identity Conscious Educator: Facilitated Think Tank Discussion

Presented by: Liza Talusan | Strategic Partner, Liza Talusan, PhD
Join Liza Talusan, author of The Identity-Conscious Educator, for a dynamic session designed to support you in becoming more identity-conscious in your teaching practices. This interactive session will include a whole-group discussion, followed by structured “turn and talk” moments, where you will meet with peers who teach similar subjects and grade levels. The focus will be on practical strategies for recognizing and addressing identity in the classroom, ensuring that students of all backgrounds feel seen and valued. This session will provide a space to reflect, share, and collaborate on ways to integrate identity-conscious approaches in your teaching practice.

1:30 – 3:15 PM | Topic Sessions: Round Robin (Choose one in each round)

Round 1 | 1:30 – 2:15 PM

Universal Design for Learning: Accessibility in Action

Presented by: Brandon Boston | Co-Founder and Tanya Lynch | Co-Founder, The Boston Group
This interactive session offers a hands-on exploration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). You will first experience classroom tasks without supports, then reattempt those same tasks using UDL strategies. Through this process, you will gain an understanding of UDL’s core principles—Engagement, Representation, and Action/Expression—while learning to identify and remove barriers to access for diverse learners. You will leave with practical resources, including a planning template and UDL implementation guide, to bring these practices directly into your classrooms.

Young Adults Literature Panel

Pictured (from L to R): Jennifer De Leon, Ed Lin, Ali Michael, and Shannon Rogers
Join a panel of acclaimed young adult authors as they share how storytelling can nurture empathy, representation, and belonging in young adult readers. Through discussion of their creative process and lived experiences, panelists will highlight how diverse books empower adolescents to see themselves, understand others, and imagine inclusive futures.

Getting Color-Brave with the Drawing Differences Art Program for Kids

Presented by: Linda Donnelly | Former Co-Head of School, The Common School (MA), Dana Kadish | Former Co-Head of School, The Common School, and Christina Rucinski | Senior Research-to-Practice Program Manager, EmbraceRace
Children begin to notice and form ideas about race early in life. Without thoughtful guidance, these ideas can be shaped by misinformation and stereotypes. This workshop introduces the Drawing Differences Art Program for Kids, a flexible curriculum designed to foster healthy racial learning and belonging through playful, art-based activities. Targeted for children ages 7–12, the program supports open conversations about race, racism, and physical difference. We will explore the developmental science behind children’s racial awareness and gain hands-on experience with the Drawing Differences materials. Linda, Dana, and Christina will share implementation strategies and lessons learned from a whole-school approach. The session also addresses common concerns and questions around launching race-conscious curricula in independent school settings.

Outcomes-Oriented Belonging Practices: Creating an Accountability Rubric

Presented by: Gabriel Lopez | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practitioner
This session introduces a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging accountability rubric built around nine key domains (e.g., Psychological Safety, Curriculum, Board of Trustees). You will learn how to apply a structured self-assessment method to identify strengths and gaps in your school’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work. Using this framework, you will assess your own school, develop action steps, and design a personalized roadmap for meaningful improvement. Throughout the session, we will emphasize aligning diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts with each school’s mission, vision, and values to ensure that initiatives are both sustainable and impactful.

Proactively Engaging Parents in Courageous Conversations

Presented by: Raquel Majeski | Associate Head of School, Lawrence Academy (MA) and Rachel Nagler | Director of Community, Equity, and Inclusion, Dana Hall School (MA)
In today’s climate, proactive and courageous communication with parents is vital. This session introduces a framework for engaging families around difficult issues, with an emphasis on building trust through early and authentic dialogue. You will learn strategies for applying this framework to emerging diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging challenges, strengthening relationships, and fostering a culture of transparency and trust within your school community.

Developing a Dynamic Student-Centered Support and Education Program for Neurodivergent Adolescents

Presented by: Anna Martinez | Director of Academic Skills, Groton School (MA) and Sharon Saline, PhD | Psychologist, Author, and Creator of 5C’s of ADHD^TM
This experiential workshop introduces a student-led, peer support and educational model designed specifically for neurodivergent adolescents. Developed by Dr. Sharon Saline and Anna Martinez, this approach centers student voice and empowerment, helping teens understand their learning styles and build critical executive functioning and self-advocacy skills. Together, we will examine your school’s support structures and explore practical tools for adapting and implementing a neurodiversity-affirming program in your setting. The workshop emphasizes integrating executive functioning skill-building into academic curricula and fostering collaborative relationships between students and educators.

Round 2 | 2:30 – 3:15 PM

First-Gen Students in High School and College

Presented by: Misa Beltran-Guzman, Director of First Generation Programs | Bates College and Carolyn Chica, Director of Inclusion Outreach, Groton School (MA)
This session offers a framework for defining the first-generation-to-college experience, identifying the assets first-gen students bring into our spaces, and addressing the potential challenges they may face as they navigate the transition into independent schools and, later, college. You will explore case studies and learn how two different first-generation educators are carrying out programming that supports and elevates the first-gen experience of students in independent schools and college settings. This session is being led by, and on behalf of, First Gen Leadership.

Embracing Everyday Neurodivergence

Presented by: Katy Boucher | Founder and Director, The Accord School (MA)
Neurodiversity is not something to dance around, ignore, or speak about only during disability awareness month. It’s something to embrace every day, and within every part of the school. This workshop addresses this reality and how to integrate it into daily practices. Through engaging stories and gripping student-centered insights, you will learn how to apply universal design to support all learners, use inclusive language, and advocate for changes in school practices that embrace neurodivergence.

Young Adults Literature Panel

Pictured (from L to R): Jennifer De Leon, Ed Lin, Ali Michael, and Shannon Rogers
Join a panel of acclaimed young adult authors as they share how storytelling can nurture empathy, representation, and belonging in young adult readers. Through discussion of their creative process and lived experiences, panelists will highlight how diverse books empower adolescents to see themselves, understand others, and imagine inclusive futures.

Nurturing Students’ Critical Consciousness in Contemporary Times

Presented by: Aaliyah El-Amin | Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education and Scott Seider | Professor, Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development
In today’s socially and politically charged climate, this session explores the responsibility educators have in equipping students to recognize and challenge identity-based injustice. We will explore the concept of critical consciousness—comprising social analysis, agency, and social action—and learn classroom strategies to support its development. Drawing on real K–12 examples and practical activities, this session invites you to use your role as a vehicle for societal transformation.

Student Identity in Action: Promoting Agency in the Math, Science and STEAM Classrooms

Presented by: Chandra Smith | Dean of Innovative and Inclusive Pedagogy, The Walnut Hill School for the Arts (MA)
Despite increasing societal diversity, representation in STEAM remains limited. This session explores how culturally relevant, identity-affirming pedagogy in STEAM classrooms can empower students to leverage their lived experiences in problem-solving. We will examine how integrating student identity into curriculum design fosters engagement, creativity, and a deeper connection to learning. Through hands-on activities, collaboration, and real-world applications, you will learn how to create STEAM environments that elevate student voice and agency, shifting the classroom paradigm toward inclusivity and innovation.

Reimagining the School-Family Partnership

Presented by: Susan Yao | Co-Founder, Vermont Village School (VT)
The relationship between school and family is often fraught with tension and power imbalances in independent schools, especially when it comes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging issues. What does true partnership really mean? How can this aspect of school be guided by love and liberation? Come reimagine this relationship with colleagues and hear about experimental practices at the Vermont Village School, which reimagines school as a liberatory space for people of color.

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

BIPOC Affinity Space
Better Together: BIPOC Power Through Connection

Facilitated by: Martha Haakmat | 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.

White Ally Space
The Journey to White Allyship Part I

Facilitated by: Kelly Bird | 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.

4:45 – 5:45 PM | Sponsored Cocktail Hour & Meet the Authors

6:00 – 8:00 PM | Dine-On-Your-Own or Group Dinners (Optional)

8:30 – 10:00 PM | Evening Conference Activities (Optional)

Wednesday, October 22

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
Registration, continental breakfast, networking, and Ask an Expert

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast and Discussion for the following roles: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Practitioners, Librarians, Learning Support Professionals, and Educational Support Staff

9:00 – 10:00 AM | General Session & Keynote: Jason Reynolds
See above.

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Topic Sessions: Deep Dive (Choose One)

Writing as a Ritual of Reclamation

Presented by: Carlos Andrés Gómez | Author and Lecturer
This generative writing workshop explores how reclaiming language can affirm authentic identities and stories while dismantling narratives rooted in structural oppression and shame. We will engage in close readings of poems by Angel Nafis and José Olivarez, then be guided through a structured prompt to create your own poem of reclamation.

Training for Courage

Presented by: Ali Michael | Researcher, Educator, Storyteller
This workshop is an interactive, experiential workshop, using tools from social psychology to support you in building courage for taking action. It is premised on the idea that operating in a highly polarized environment can be frightening and confusing. Supporting colleagues and students can wind up feeling like a risk: “What if I use the wrong words? What if I say something hurtful?” Sometimes what we fear is not oppression itself, but not knowing enough to be an effective member of a diverse community. Together we will explore grounding strategies for navigating fight, flight, or freeze responses; learn tools for receiving feedback; practice writing a “worst-case scenario” script to move through moments of fear or paralysis; and design a stereotype threat antidote to expand empathy and connection.

10:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Topic Sessions: Round Robin (Choose one in each round)

Round 1 | 10:15 – 11:00 AM

Children’s Literature Panel

Pictured (from L to R): Ryan Bani Tahmaseb, Kyle Lukoff, Amy Moy, and Gwendolyn Wallace
Join a panel of acclaimed children’s authors as they share how storytelling can nurture empathy, representation, and belonging in young readers. Through discussion of their creative process and lived experiences, panelists will highlight how diverse books empower children to see themselves, understand others, and imagine inclusive futures.

Play as a Tool for Social Change

Presented by: Simone Gamble | Founder, OAAARS
This highly interactive session explores how play can serve as a transformative tool for advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in schools. Participants will engage in hands-on games, role-playing, and creative activities that foster empathy, inclusion, and social change. Through guided reflection, you will learn strategies to create safe, inquiry-driven spaces where your students can explore identity, power, and justice, empowering them to become change-makers in their communities.

Building Community through Social Dance

Presented by: Rodney Eric Lopez | Educator, Artist, and Nonprofit leader
Looking to reignite your passion for working in schools, boost team morale, or strengthen community engagement? This unforgettable session explores the transformative power of social dance to bring people together, break down barriers, and build trust. Social dance fosters joy, belonging, and connection, creating a shared experience that transcends roles and titles. You will leave this session with practical, creative strategies you can use right away to cultivate stronger, more inclusive, and more energized school communities.

Land, Higher Education, and Accountability to Native Nations

Presented by: Dr. Megan Red Shirt-Shaw | Director of Native Student Services, University of South Dakota
Land acknowledgements have become common in campus ceremonies and public events, but what comes next? In this powerful and thought-provoking presentation, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw challenges institutions to move beyond symbolic gestures toward transformational action. Drawing from her research and advocacy, she explores how colleges and universities came to occupy Native lands, and what true accountability looks like today. Megan outlines bold and practical steps institutions can take to honor Indigenous sovereignty and invest in community well-being and educational justice. This session invites reflection, responsibility, and values-based leadership in pursuit of lasting change.

Student Leadership Programming: Where Are We in Independent Schools?

Presented by: Dr. Reina Stimpson | Director of Student Leadership, Derryfield School (NH)
This session showcases how one independent school embedded peer leadership across grades six through twelve, with 90% of students reporting meaningful growth in their leadership skills. Grounded in findings from a dissertation-in-practice, the workshop shares practical strategies for integrating leadership curriculum, cultivating student-led initiatives, and fostering faculty conversations that challenge traditional notions of leadership, bias, and access. Together, we will explore ways to assess and “take the temperature” of your own school’s culture of shared leadership and ensure that student voice and agency are meaningfully embedded.

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

Presented by: Liza Talusan | Strategic Partner, Liza Talusan, PhD
Liza will guide you in leading with an identity-conscious lens to foster more responsive and responsible learning environments. Through real-world case studies addressing race, class, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, language, and age, we will examine three key questions: How can I build knowledge about identity-related scenarios? How do my thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors contribute to inequity? What actions can I take to align with equity and justice in my classroom or leadership role? By the end of the session, you will leave with tangible strategies to apply identity-conscious practices and create more inclusive, empowering environments for all students.

Round 2 | 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Supporting BIPOC Practitioners of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Age of Propaganda

Presented by: Jaleesa Anselm | Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Tenacre Country Day School (MA)
In today’s challenging social and political climate, BIPOC DEIJB practitioners often face unique pressures—especially when they are one of the few or only individuals of color in their schools. This affinity-based session creates space for BIPOC educators to connect, reflect, and strategize. We will will explore how to build peer support systems, advocate for institutional backing, and prioritize your wellbeing while continuing to support your community.

Seeing and Supporting Transgender Students as Whole Humans

Presented by: Alexis Dinkins | Director of Community & Equity, Concord Academy (MA) and Alex Holmes | Assistant Director of Community & Equity, Concord Academy (MA)
What does it look like to support transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TGD) students in ways that emphasize true belonging, autonomy, and respect? This workshop explores how independent schools can move beyond names and pronouns to create systemic, human-centered practices. Grounded in empathy and connection, this session provides a paradigm shift in supporting TGD students through policy, training, and cultural change.

Building Community through Social Dance

Presented by: Rodney Eric Lopez | Educator, artist, and nonprofit leader
Looking to reignite your passion for working in schools, boost team morale, or strengthen community engagement? This unforgettable session explores the transformative power of social dance to bring people together, break down barriers, and build trust. Social dance fosters joy, belonging, and connection, creating a shared experience that transcends roles and titles. You will leave this session with practical, creative strategies you can use right away to cultivate stronger, more inclusive, and more energized school communities.

Kinship, Community, and Reimagining Education

Presented by: Dr. Megan Red Shirt-Shaw | Director of Native Student Services, University of South Dakota
In this moving and visionary presentation, Megan Red Shirt-Shaw offers a powerful look at how we can transform education through Native values, cultural presence, and collective care—rooted in belonging and responsibility to community. Drawing from her experiences as a Native educator, student advocate, and national voice in higher education, Megan invites audiences to reimagine institutions not as systems of compliance and control, but as spaces of connection, care, and shared purpose. With warmth and clarity, she speaks to the importance of relationship-centered leadership, recognizing Native presence and sovereignty, and creating education systems that reflect a deeper commitment to justice and inclusive culture.

Book Bans, Censorship, and the Role of the Librarian Now

Presented by: Elyse Seltzer | Library Media Specialist, Brimmer and May School (MA) and Talya Sokoll | Co-Director of the Putnam Library, Noble and Greenough School (MA)
In an era of increasing challenges to intellectual freedom, school librarians are on the front lines of book bans and censorship. This interactive session brings together librarians and educators to examine the current landscape of censorship in independent schools. Elyse and Talya will share updates on national trends, their personal experiences, and effective strategies for resisting censorship and maintaining access to diverse resources. We will engage in dynamic conversations about our own school contexts, exchange actionable ideas, and build a collective toolkit for advocacy and change.

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch, Ask an Expert, Bookstore, Book Signing

12:00 – 1:00 PM | LGBTQIA+ Community Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 PM | Affinity & Allyship Sessions

Racial Affinity Groups
White Ally Session, Part II with Kelly Bird

2:30 – 3:30 PM | General Session & Closing Keynote: Carlos Andrés Gómez
See above.

3:30 PM | Departure and Farewell

Our Planning Committee

Thank you to the 2025 AISNE Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Planning Committee:

Cendhi Arias Henry headshot James Greenwood headshot Raquel Majeski, Lawrence Academy headshot Reena Patel headshot

Sabrina Perez headshot Kenneth Rogers headshot Chandra Smith headshot Talya Sokoll headshot

Pictured from left to right:

Cendhi Arias Henry | Early Childhood Director, The Gordon School
Rene Davis | Director of Student Engagement and Support, Kents Hill School
James Greenwood | Dean of Equity and Social Justice, Northfield Mount Hermon School
Raquel Majeski | Associate Head of School, Lawrence Academy
Reena Patel | DEIJ Coordinator, Waring School
Sabrina Perez | Dean of Equity, Inclusion, and Leadership, Eagle Hill School
Paran Quigley | Grade VIII Gradehead & Middle School Equity Liaison, Shady Hill School
Ken Rogers | Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction, The Park School
Chandra Smith | Dean of Innovative & Inclusive Pedagogy, Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Talya Sokoll | Co-Director of the Putnam Library, Noble and Greenough School

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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, 2025) 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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