2026 Health and Wellness Conference

Thursday, May 7, 2026 | Four Points by Sheraton Norwood

Join us for a day focusing on the wellbeing of you and your students. This invigorating day of learning will offer sessions on behavioral health, student success, athletics, physical health, and wellness topics. Topic experts will be on hand to address your questions and provide resources to support your work. Self-care sessions will allow you to recharge and gain ideas to bring back to your colleagues and students. You will leave energized for the remainder of the school year with new perspectives to inform your work. This event is designed for all roles in the school community, including:

• Teachers
• Wellness Staff and Faculty
• SEL Counselors, Psychologists, and Psychiatrists
• Athletic Directors and Coaches
• Nurses and Doctors
• Deans of Students & Residential Life Directors
• Academic Deans, Department Chairs, and Division Heads

Pricing and Location:

Your registration includes lunch.

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.

Location Information
Four Points by Sheraton Norwood
1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA 02062

Stay Wednesday Night

Agenda at a Glance

Thursday, May 7 

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM | Registration, Light Breakfast, & Community Connection
• 8:45 – 9:00 AM | Welcome & Guided Mindfulness Practice 
• 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Topic Sessions Block 1 
• 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Topic Sessions Block 2
• 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Keynote Session 
• 12:45 – 1:30 PM | Lunch and Networking 
• 1:45 – 2:45 PM | Topic Sessions Block 3
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM | Closing General Session + Raffle

Keynote Speaker

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
The Lighthouse Effect: Restoring Hope, Purpose, and Connection in School Communities
Steve Pemberton
In a time of polarization, fatigue, and growing distrust, educators and school leaders are often asked to do more than teach or manage—they are called to be steady, humane presences in the lives of students, colleagues, and families. In this inspiring session, Steve Pemberton draws from his own life and from the stories of quiet, everyday heroes to explore the power of being a “human lighthouse.” Steve shares the story of John Sykes, his high school counselor who offered safe harbor after Steve escaped an abusive foster home—an act of steady kindness that changed the trajectory of his life. Through this and other moving stories, we will reflect on how our own experiences, challenges, and values equip us to be sources of hope and direction for others. This session invites you to reconnect with your sense of purpose, recognize the impact of small, relational gestures, and consider how being a lighthouse for others can also be a source of personal renewal. You will leave reminded that the most powerful acts of leadership and care in school communities are often quiet, relational, and deeply human. 

Steve Pemberton is a best selling author, philanthropist, acclaimed speaker, and senior executive for the likes of Monster.com, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Workhuman. Steve Pemberton’s story is about defying seemingly insurmountable odds to become a trail-blazing corporate executive, enlightened diversity leader, visionary youth advocate, and acclaimed speaker. His best-selling memoir, A Chance in the World, recounts his triumphant life journey and drive to become a man of resilience, determination and vision. Now an upcoming major motion picture, A Chance in the World further amplifies Steve’s highly motivational messages: Believe in your dreams, rise above obstacles, create opportunities for others, and most of all, persevere.

Detailed Agenda

8:00 – 8:45 AM | Registration, Light Breakfast, & Community Connection
Start your day by checking in, enjoying a light breakfast, and connecting with fellow attendees. This time is designed to fuel your body, spark conversation, and set the tone for a collaborative and engaging day ahead.

8:45 – 9:00 AM | Welcome & Guided Mindfulness Practice with Morgan Taylor

9:15 – 10:15 AM | Topic Sessions Block 1 – Choose One

Elevating Youth Voice in Overdose Prevention

Presented by: Sarah Bagley, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics | Boston Medical Center
Youth are deeply affected by the overdose crisis—and they also bring critical insight, creativity, and leadership to prevention efforts. This workshop explores how you can meaningfully elevate youth voice in overdose prevention through education and a supportive school culture. We will examine youth-centered and trauma-informed approaches, focus on practical strategies for engaging students as partners, and explore ways schools can create safer spaces for honest dialogue about substance use while maintaining appropriate adult guidance and boundaries.

Trauma-Informed Educational Leadership

Presented by: Sadie Elisseou, MD, Physician and Consultant
Dr. Sadie Elisseou, a nationally recognized trauma-informed care expert and Harvard Medical School faculty member, applies trauma-informed principles to the realities of educational leadership. Together we will examine how stress, burnout, trauma, and organizational change shape school communities and influence student and adult behavior. You will learn how trauma-informed frameworks strengthen communication, support retention and engagement, and create environments where both students and educators can thrive. The session provides a structured approach for responding to difficult events, supporting individuals labeled as “difficult,” and communicating with empathy during periods of strain. It also emphasizes the neurobiology of stress, practical strategies for embedding trauma-informed leadership across teams, and the role of these practices in advancing workplace equity and wellbeing.

Wellbeing from the Ground Up: Cultivating Resilient Learners Through Nature, Play, and Community

Presented by: Nancy Fincke, Director | Lincoln Nursery School (Lincoln, MA) and Serena Wilkie Gifford, Head of School | Birches School (Lincoln, MA)
This session explores how early childhood and elementary schools can nurture wellbeing, agency, and belonging by building from the ground up—both literally and figuratively. Through the lenses of nature, play, and intentionally designed community, we will examine how outdoor experiences and child-centered learning support social-emotional growth, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation. Nancy and Serena will share examples of developmentally appropriate outdoor learning and demonstrate how the natural world can be meaningfully incorporated inside classrooms from preschool through Grade 8, fostering connected school communities where children thrive and find joy in the learning process.

Using Data to Inform Wellbeing Initiatives in Grades 6–12

Presented by: Nicole Hager, Director of School Partnerships and Nina Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO | Authentic Connections

Panelists: (pictured L to R)
Kristen Milano, Director of Wellness | Miss Hall’s School (Pittsfield, MA)
Jackie Salas, Director of Community & Culture | The Roxbury Latin School (Boston, MA)
Independent schools recognize the importance of supportive relationships for student success, yet often struggle to identify and prioritize the most effective wellbeing interventions. In this session, members of the Authentic Connections team join school leaders from Miss Hall’s School and The Roxbury Latin School to explore how data can be used to inform and prioritize wellbeing initiatives. Drawing on survey data from over 215,000 students in grades 6–12 since early 2020, we will examine modifiable aspects of school climate most closely tied to student wellbeing, common strengths and challenges across schools, and the central role of relationships among students, educators, and families. School-based case examples will illustrate how data has guided programming, strategic priorities, and targeted interventions to foster belonging and resilience.

Thriving Counseling Centers, Thriving Schools

Presented by: Joshua Relin, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist 
Thriving counseling centers are essential to the health of independent school communities, yet no two operate alike. This session explores a range of counseling center models shaped by school size, resources, and boarding versus day environments. We will examine how different structures engage with students, teachers, parents, and administrators, and discuss strategies for evaluating counseling center effectiveness in mission-aligned ways. You will gain insight into the opportunities and challenges of building and sustaining a vibrant counseling program and leave with practical frameworks for supporting student wellbeing and the broader school community.

Sound Healing for Renewal: A Practice for Mind-Body Balance

Presented by: Morgan Taylor, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and Alumni Relations Coordinator | Stratton Mountain School (Stratton, VT)
Join in for a gentle, grounding sound healing experience led by Morgan Taylor, a certified sound healer and wellness practitioner. Designed for educators and school leaders, this session offers a peaceful space to pause, breathe, and reconnect. Morgan creates a calming environment using a gong, crystal singing bowls, chimes, and other instruments to invite deep relaxation and reset your nervous system. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, mental clarity, or a moment of calm amid a busy schedule, this session offers a restorative path toward balance and presence.

Inside the Feed: How Influencers, Algorithms, and AI Shape Young People’s Identity and Wellbeing

Presented by: Jill Walsh, PhD, Author and Digital Space Advocate
Young people don’t just consume content—they are shaped by it. Drawing on current research and real-world examples, this session explores how influencer culture and AI-driven algorithms actively shape adolescents’ beliefs about identity, relationships, body image, success, and belonging. We will examine how platforms reward certain behaviors and values, why these messages are especially powerful for developing brains, and what you can do to help students build critical awareness and resilience.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Topic Sessions Block 2 – Choose One

The Healthy, Whole Child: Reggio Emilia Principles as a Pathway to Wellness

Presented by: Cady Audette, Co-Head of School | Charlestown Montessori School (Charlestown, MA), Amber Lowe, Chief of Staff | The Advent School (Boston, MA) Kelly Pellagrini, Co-Founder & Co-Head of School | Charlestown Nursery School (Charlestown, MA) and Anne Scribner Hopkins, Lower School Director | Waynflete School (Portland, ME)
Explore how Reggio Emilia–inspired practices support the health, wellness, and full flourishing of young children. Learn about three schools and a teaching approach that begins with the belief that children are competent meaning-makers, capable of expressing their understanding—and their emotions—through “the 100 languages of children.” While each school engages with Reggio Emilia principles in distinct ways—across different program models, age ranges, and school structures—all three share a deep commitment to child-centered learning, equity, and belonging. Spend time learning ways to center learning in relationships, inquiry, and community, holding that children thrive when they are known, valued, and challenged. Reggio-informed early childhood education brings a community-based perspective that highlights the importance of partnership with families, intentional environments, and developmentally responsive practices that support children’s social and emotional wellbeing from the earliest years. Each school will illuminate how Reggio Emilia principles directly support the emotional, social, and physical health of young children.

The Space Between: Reimagining Resilience Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

Presented by: Marlene Boyette, Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor | The Advent School (Boston, MA)
For more than a decade, Marlene Boyette has worked at the intersection of education, wellness, and trauma-informed care—observing how the word resilience has often been used to measure strength while neglecting the processes of tending, reflection, and repair. The Space Between reclaims the often-invisible yet most transformative phase of recovery and growth: the space between impact and resilience. Through guided discussion, embodied practice, and sound meditation, we will explore what must happen before we label someone “resilient.” Drawing from her trauma-informed teaching and community wellness facilitation, Marlene offers strategies to support both students and educators through disruption, transition, and restoration. You will leave grounded in the understanding that resilience is not an endpoint, but a continuum that begins with care.

The Power of Practice: From Knowing to Being in Health & Wellbeing Education

Presented by: Bobby Fisher, Director of Spiritual Life, Wellbeing Teacher and Erin Fisher, Director of Wellbeing | Pomfret School (Pomfret, CT)
What does it look like when wellbeing is not only taught but lived? At Pomfret School, experiential learning is central to how students engage with wellbeing coursework, identity development, and personal growth. This session examines the impact of pairing evidence-based wellbeing content with intentional, hands-on practice that helps students build sustainable habits of mind and body. Bobby and Erin will be joined by a panel of Pomfret students, offering an inside look at how the school embeds experiential components into its wellbeing education. The session highlights how reflection, routine, and practice deepen student understanding and support lifelong flourishing, while offering practical structures other schools can adapt.

Addiction-Proofing Our Students in an Addictive World

Presented by: Kriya Lendzion, Addiction & Prevention Specialist
Addictive and risky behaviors are escalating among students—from substance use to gambling to self-harm—often beginning at increasingly younger ages. These behaviors disrupt learning, endanger wellbeing, and affect school climate. Drawing on prevention research, this session offers concrete strategies to build protective factors and addiction resistance in students.

Nourishing Wellness: Teaching Nutrition Through a HAES Lens

Presented by: Kathi Martuza, Assistant Middle School Division Lead and Wellness Educator | Wellan Montessori School (Newton Centre, MA)
This workshop introduces the Health At Every Size (HAES) framework as a weight-neutral, inclusive approach to teaching nutrition. We will explore how diet culture impacts adolescent wellbeing and engage in experiential reflection to uncover personal food beliefs and implicit biases. The session offers strategies for applying HAES principles in the classroom to create a respectful, culturally responsive wellness curriculum that fosters student belonging.

Hooked and Affirmed: AI & Adolescent Vulnerability

Presented by: Jill Walsh, PhD, Author and Digital Space Advocate
Why are young people drawn so deeply into AI-powered platforms—and why is it so hard to disengage? This session unpacks the psychological mechanisms behind engagement-driven technology, including personalization, affirmation loops, and reward systems. Together, we will explore how these tools intersect with adolescent development and mental health, and how you can respond thoughtfully without defaulting to fear or prohibition.

Mindfulness Strategies for Strengthening Community and Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Presented by: Kate Westhaver, English Teacher & Mindfulness Facilitator | Walnut Hill School for the Arts (Natick, MA)
While mindfulness is often seen as an individual or quiet practice, this session reimagines it as a powerful communal tool for building connection and belonging. Drawing from her experience leading mindfulness initiatives at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Kate Westhaver shares a range of mindfulness strategies—seated, movement-based, and interactive—that can be practiced across school communities. Through storytelling, hands-on activities, and discussion, we will explore how collective mindfulness can strengthen relationships between faculty, staff, and students, support shared wellbeing, and transform school culture.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM | Keynote Session with Steve Pemberton (see above)

12:45 – 1:30 PM | Lunch and Networking
Enjoy a delicious lunch while connecting with colleagues in similar roles at their schools. Use this time to exchange ideas, build relationships, and recharge for the afternoon sessions. 

1:45 – 2:45 PM | Topic Sessions Block 3 – Choose One

Sleep, Regulation, and Learning: Supporting Student Wellbeing Through Rest

Presented by: Emily Denault, School Counselor | Harborlight Montessori (Beverly, MA)
Sleep is a foundational—yet often overlooked—component of student mental health, emotional regulation, and learning. This session explores the relationship between sleep, brain development, trauma, and school functioning through a trauma-informed and attachment-based lens. You will examine how sleep impacts attention, behavior, emotional regulation, and academic engagement, particularly for students with anxiety, ADHD, autism, and trauma histories. Drawing from neuroscience, attachment theory, and mind-body practices, the session will offer practical, developmentally appropriate strategies to support healthy sleep routines for students and families without shame, blame, or rigid expectations. Children’s voice, autonomy, and relational safety are centered throughout.

Time Management for Busy Educators and Administrators

Presented by: Sadie Elisseou, MD, Physician and Consultant
This session provides practical strategies for managing time and workload in high-demand educational settings. Dr. Sadie Elisseou draws on evidence-based productivity concepts and real-world experience to help you reduce cognitive overload, set priorities, and achieve personal and professional goals. We will explore common barriers to effective time management, unpack myths about productivity, and review actionable strategies across more than ten domains. The session emphasizes interactive learning, allowing you to share challenges and solutions while developing tailored approaches to optimize efficiency and wellbeing.

Starting Early: Bolstering Resilience for Lower School Students Using Data

Presented by: Nicole Hager, Director of School Partnerships and Nina Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO | Authentic Connections
While schools increasingly recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health, there are few established methods for using data from lower school students to guide wellbeing initiatives. In this session, Nina Kumar and Nicole Hager will explore findings from surveys administered to over 11,000 students in grades 2–5 to identify the aspects of school life most closely linked to student wellbeing. A distinctive feature of this session is the inclusion of qualitative student voice data, allowing you to hear directly from younger students through free-response comments about what makes them feel safe, seen, and supported. By surfacing focus areas unique to the elementary experience, Nicole and Nina will share strategies for building strong, supportive foundations early and fostering belonging from the start.

DeMISTifying Vaping: Innovative Prevention and Response

Presented by: Kriya Lendzion, Addiction & Prevention Specialist
In recent years, students’ vaping of nicotine and cannabis has surged on campuses, causing serious physical, mental, and academic consequences along with safety and liability concerns. Modern vaping products are more potent, appealing, and easier to conceal, leading to higher addiction potential and greater impairment. This session reviews current research on these risks and explores promising prevention and early intervention practices involving all members of your health and wellness team. It emphasizes collaboration between departments, parents, students, and the implementation of effective, evidence-based, restorative justice policies.

Rolling the Dice on Teen Gambling

Presented by: Saul Malek, Speaker and Gambling Addiction Expert 
Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, gambling addiction rates have increased dramatically, with adolescents increasingly exposed to and engaged in digital gambling and gambling-adjacent games. Once considered an adult activity, gambling now presents a serious health risk for students, with financial, emotional, legal, and relational consequences. This session examines how and why students are gambling, including emerging trends, motivations, and risk factors. You will gain a clear understanding of the current landscape of teen gambling and learn practical, school-based strategies to educate students and parents, reduce harm, and create “gambling-safe” school environments. The session emphasizes realistic, sustainable approaches that schools can integrate into existing wellness and prevention programming.

Creating a Wellness Newsletter at Your School

Presented by: Josh Sussman, School Counselor and Alex Tzelnic, Physical Education Teacher and Mindfulness Director | Belmont Day School (Belmont, MA)
Four years ago, Belmont Day School launched The Toolkit, a bi-weekly wellness newsletter created collaboratively by the school counselor, mindfulness director, and communications team. Designed to share SEL and mindfulness strategies with families and educators, the newsletter has become a valued resource in the community. This session will walk you through through the rationale for creating a wellness newsletter, the steps involved in developing one, and how to build collaborative structures that support its success. You will leave with practical ideas and a clear framework for designing your own school-based wellness newsletter.

From Policy to Practice: Rethinking Cell Phone Policies in Schools

Presented by: Jill Walsh, PhD, Author and Digital Space Advocate
Based on extensive work with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office and visits to districts across Massachusetts and beyond, this interactive session invites you to examine what actually works when it comes to cell phone policies. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we will explore real policies, implementation challenges, and student responses. Together, we will actively engage with examples of technology, policy language, and school scenarios to evaluate tradeoffs and design developmentally sound approaches.

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Closing General Session + Raffle

Thank You to Our Sponsors 

Our Learning Community

Steering Committee
Thank you to the leaders in the AISNE community who are volunteering to help shape this event.

Pictured from left to right:

• Erin Fisher, Director of Wellbeing | Pomfret School
• Carl Geneus, Middle School Athletic Director | Noble & Greenough School
• Tara Hofherr, Associate Head of School | Kingsley Montessori School
• Szu-Hui Lee, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services | Phillips Exeter Academy
• Amy Patel, Dean of Health & Wellness and Chief Medical Officer | Phillips Academy
• Orlando Patterson, Associate Director of Community and Equity Affairs | St. Mark’s School
• Lamar Reddicks, Director of Athletics | Milton Academy
• Morgan Taylor, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and Alumni Relations Coordinator | Stratton Mountain School
  

Join Your Peers

Learn and build connections with your fellow independent school leaders who have already registered.

Eliza Adler, Director of Counseling Services | The Rivers School
Sabrina Alampi, School Counselor | The Fessenden School
Megan Armour, Science Teacher & Health/Wellness Coordinator | Park School
Jeninne Ballew, School Counselor | Charles River School
Sue Banerji-Cook, School Nurse | The Winsor School
Ian Bomely, Associate Dean of Students | Avon Old Farms School
Ilduce Brandao, Assistant Head Lower Division | Park School
Heather Callaghan, Director of Health & Wellness, Director of Nursing | Avon Old Farms School
Warren Charleston, Personal Growth and Development Department Chair | The Fessenden School
Sarah Cucchiara, School Counselor | The Rivers School
Deb Dean, Director of Academic Support | Park School
Emily Denault, School Counselor | Harborlight Montessori
Andrea Edmunds, Lead Nurse | The Rivers School
William Everett, Events & Operations Manager | Derby Academy
Nancy Fincke, Director | Lincoln Nursery School
Erin Fisher, Director of Wellbeing | Pomfret School
Kara Fonseca, Physical Education Teacher | Park School
Edith Fouser, Teacher | Brookwood School
Dorothy Gregoire, Assistant Head of School, Learning & Equity
Elaine Hamilton, Assistant Head Upper Division | Park School
Kristin Harris, School Psychologist | The Fessenden School
Rachel Jackson, School Nurse | Charles River School
Hannah Kivikoski, School Counselor | Tilton School
Tricia Lamb, Health Center Director | The Fessenden School
Jessica Lenci, Upper School Counselor | Brookwood School
Natalie Lewis, Clinician | The Hotchkiss School
Anna Lingan, School Counselor | Fayerweather Street School
Everett Logan, Director of External Affairs & Enrollment | Mountain Valley Treatment Center
Annie Maness, School Counselor | Park School
David Marsh, Performance Coach / Counselor | Avon Old Farms
Kathi Martuza, Assistant Middle School Division Lead and Wellness | Wellan Montessori School
Priscilla May, Lead Teacher | Fay School
Megan McCarthy, Director of Wellness Programming | The Rivers School
Duane McClendon, Physical Education Teacher | Park School
Amanda Miller, Director of Wellness and School Counselor | Hebron Academy
Christina Miranda, Associate Director | The Hotchkiss School
Maia Monteagudo, School Counselor | The Winsor School
Emily Monteiro, School Counselor | The Winsor School
Julie Mumford, School Counselor | Park School
Jill Pace, School Counselor | St. John’s Preparatory School
Noah Peduzzi, Assistant Athletic Trainer | The Rivers School
Leah Perez, Assistant Teacher | Fay School
Megan Psyhojos, Science. Teacher | Park School
Bernice Ruiz, Health Teacher | The Winsor School
Paul Rupprecht, Athletic Director | Charles River School
Zachary Schafer, Executive Director | Mountain Valley Treatment Center
Rachel Schneider, Director of School and College Counseling | Ursuline Academy
Anne Scribner Hopkins, Lower School Director | Waynflete School
Jean Skaane, Wellness Coordinator | Brookwood School
Josh Sussman, School Counselor | Belmont Day School
Morgan Taylor, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and Alumni Relations Coordinator | Stratton Mountain School
Bran Trice, Health Office | Fayerweather Street School
Alex Tzelnic, Physical Education Teacher and Mindfulness Director | Belmont Day School
Jennifer Viana, Director of Athletics | Park School
Sabrina Weissbach, Wellness Department Head | The Winsor School
Kate Westhaver, English Teacher & Mindfulness Facilitator | Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Ann-Marie White, Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging | The Putney School
Serena Wilkie Gifford, Head of School | Birches School
Whitaker Willocks, Assistant Head of School | Tilton School

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.

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