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
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 & Registration
| Number of Attendees | AISNE Member Schools | Non-Member School |
| Early Bird (First 75 Registrants) |
$499 | $599 |
| 1 – 3 | $599 | $699 |
| 4 – 9 | $540 | $640 |
| 10 – 19 | $480 | $580 |
| 20+ | $429 | $529 |
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 Thursday, September 25th using link below:
Agenda at a Glance
Tuesday, October 21
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Registration and Breakfast
- 9:30 – 10:45 AM | Cultivating Conversation by Role
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Day 1 General Session / Keynote
- 12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:00 PM | Topic Sessions
- 3:15 – 4:30 PM
- BIPOC Affinity Space
- White Allies Workshop
- Ask an Expert & Book Signings
- 4:30 – 5:30 PM | Sponsored Cocktail Hour & Book Signings
- 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Dinner / Sign up for a dinner group (Optional)
- 8:30 – 10:00 PM | Evening Conference Activities (Optional)
Wednesday, October 22
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Breakfast
- 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Day 2 Keynote / General Session
- 10:15 – 11:45 AM | Topic Sessions
- 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch
- 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Affinity & Allyship Sessions
- Racial Affinity Groups
- White Ally Session
- Ask an Expert
- 2:15 – 3:15 PM | Closing General Session
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 Using Coach
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 #1 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.
Wednesday, October 22 | 2:15 – 3:15 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) is a Colombian American poet from New York City. He is the author of the full-length poetry collection Fractures (University of Wisconsin Press, 2020), selected by Natasha Trethewey as the winner of the 2019–20 Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry; the chapbook Hijito (Platypus Press, 2019), selected by Eduardo C. Corral as the winner of the 2018 Broken River Prize; and the memoir Man Up: Reimagining Modern Manhood (Penguin Random House, 2012). A winner of the Atlanta Review International Poetry Prize, the Fischer Prize for Poetry, the Lucille Clifton Poetry Prize and the Sandy Crimmins National Prize for Poetry, Gómez has been published in the New England Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, BuzzFeed Reader, CHORUS: A Literary Mixtape (Simon & Schuster, 2012) and elsewhere. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.
Detailed Agenda
Tuesday, October 21
8:30 – 9:30 AM | Registration and Breakfast
Registration, continental breakfast, networking, book signings, and Ask an Expert
9:30 – 10:45 AM | Cultivating Conversation by Role
We will gather by professional role for facilitated conversations.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | General Session & Opening Keynote: Priya Parker
See above.
12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 PM | Topic Sessions: Deep Dives (Choose One)
Becoming an Identity Conscious Educator: Facilitated Think Tank Discussion Centered on Practical Steps for Classroom Practice
Presented by: Liza Talusan | Strategic Partner, Liza Talusan, PhD
Join Liza Talusan, author of The Identity-Conscious Educator, for a dynamic one-hour 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 – 3:00 PM | Topic Sessions: Round Robin (Choose one in each round)
Round 1 | 1:30 – 2:15 PM
Young Adults Author Panel
Authors coming soon…
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.
Getting Color-Brave with the Drawing Differences Art Program for Kids
Presented by: Linda Donnelly | Former Head of School, The Common School (MA), Dana Kadish | Principal, Creative Capacity Network, 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 DEIB 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 DEIB 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 DEIB efforts with each school’s mission, vision, and values to ensure that initiatives are both sustainable and impactful.
Let’s Talk About It: 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 DEIB 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 ADHDTM
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 | 2:15 – 3:00 PM
Young Adult Author Panel
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.
List of authors coming soon….
Education Can Transform Society: 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 DEIB 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.
3:15 – 4:30 PM
- BIPOC Affinity Space
- White Allies Workshop
- Ask an Expert & Book Signings
4:30 – 5:30 PM | Sponsored Cocktail Hour & Book Signings
6:00 – 8:00 PM | Dinner / Sign up for a dinner group (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
9:00 – 10:00 AM | General Session & Keynote: Jason Reynolds
See above.
10:15 – 11:45 AM | 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.
10:15 – 11:45 AM | Topic Sessions: Round Robin (Choose one in each round)
Round 1 | 10:15 – 11:00 AM
Children’s Literature Panel
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.
List of authors coming soon….
Play as a Tool for Social Change: The Kids are Ready to Play
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.
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 | 11:00 – 11:45 AM
Children’s Literature Panel
List of authors coming soon….
SUPPORT: Find Out What It Means to Me – Supporting BIPOC DEIJB Practitioners 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.
Beyond Preferred: 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.
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.
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM | Affinity & Allyship Sessions
- Racial Affinity Groups
- White Ally Session
- Ask an Expert
2:15 – 3:15 PM | General Session & Closing Keynote: Carlos Andrés Gómez
See above.
Thank you to the 2025 AISNE Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Planning Committee:
Pictured from left to right:
- Cendhi Arias Henry | Early Childhood Director, The Gordon School (MA)
- Rene Davis | Director of Student Engagement and Support, Kents Hill School (ME)
- James Greenwood | Dean of Equity and Social Justice, Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA)
- Raquel Majeski | Associate Head of School, Lawrence Academy (MA)
- Sabrina Perez | Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership, Eagle Hill School (MA)
- Paran Quigley | Grade VIII Gradehead & Middle School Equity Liaison, Shady Hill School (MA)
- Ken Rogers | Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Instruction, The Park School (MA)
- Chandra Smith | Dean of Innovative & Inclusive Pedagogy, Walnut Hill School for the Arts (MA)
- Talya Sokoll | Co-Director of the Putnam Library, Noble and Greenough School (MA)
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.
Not an AISNE Member?
Become part of a network of more than 260 schools across New England. Enjoy opportunities for your entire school staff and faculty to connect with and learn from peers, and engage in high quality professional development. AISNE is here to support your school’s excellence and continuous improvement.
Join today or renew your membership.