Conference

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and Professor in the Child Study Center at Yale will be a featured speaker at #NEASC2025. Author of the best-selling book, Permission to Feel, and lead developer of RULER — an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) that has been adopted by thousands of schools around the world — Dr. Brackett will join us in November to share his expertise on the role of emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, physical and mental health, and workplace performance.

Keynote: "The Power of Emotion Regulation to Transform Schools"

Amplify Your Leadership Using AI

Presenters:

• Carl Johnson, Associate Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, NEASC Commission on Public Schools
• Joseph Kotarski, Associate Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, NEASC Commission on International Education

Join NEASC staff along with education leaders from NEASC schools for a hands-on workshop on how educational leaders can use AI to manage their daily and long-term responsibilities more efficiently. Participants will start with an overview of current AI systems before moving into practical applications. We will progress from basic tasks to more advanced uses like strategic planning, analysis, feedback, and complex projects.

The workshop will focus on developing strong prompting skills and thinking frameworks that will serve you well as AI tools continue to evolve. Throughout the day, you will work through authentic leadership scenarios, building skills that can help you reclaim time for what matters most, your school community. Participants will leave with practical frameworks, experience working with AI tools, resources for continued learning, and ideas for continued growth.

Who should participate: 
School leaders who are looking for practical ways to integrate AI tools into their professional practice. A comfort level with computers is necessary, but all levels of familiarity with AI are welcome. 

Participants are encouraged to have a paid subscription to Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini to fully engage with this workshop.
 

NEASC Framework for Student Success

Presenters:

• Alyson Geary, Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, NEASC Commission on Public Schools
• Edie Traina, Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, NEASC Commission on Independent Schools
• Sharyn Skrtic, NEASC International Accreditation Leader
• Trillium Hibbeln, Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, NEASC Commission on International Education

Staff members from all three Commissions at NEASC (public, independent, and international) have been thinking deeply about what student success looks like and how we can support schools in preparing students for the future. The result of these discussions is the development of a NEASC Framework for Student Success. This framework includes aspects such as a school's mission, vision, and core values; the qualities they want to develop in their learners as expressed by a vision of a graduate; and the shared pedagogy or approaches to teaching to develop the desired qualities, leading to a shared understanding of what high-quality learning looks like that extends to the entire learning community.
 

Embracing and Managing Conflict

Presenters:

• Helen Morgan, Head of Leadership, Development and Learning - ECIS

Being able to manage and embrace conflict effectively is an essential part of middle leadership if teams and individuals are to maintain a shared sense of purpose and direction. As a middle leader, one of the greatest challenges in managing and embracing conflict is managing yourself and making sure that communication is clear and effective.

During this course, participants learn to identify conflict and what their roles and responsibilities are within such a situation. They develop strategies to manage emotions, manage change and learn how to separate the personal from the professional. On a practical level, participants learn how to have difficult conversations and practise different techniques in a safe and supportive environment.

By the end of the course, participants will have a practical toolkit of strategies and protocols to manage and embrace conflict successfully in a range of contexts.
 

NEASC Visitor Training: Introduction to NEASC, ACE Learning and Visitor Competencies

Presenters:

• Athena Gerochristodoulou, NEASC International Accreditation Leader

This workshop prepares participants to become NEASC approved accreditation visitors for visits using the ACE accreditation pathway and includes a comprehensive overview of the pathway in action. The ACE pathway (and the CLP protocol) are used by most international schools and increasingly by some U.S. based independent and public schools. Participants will develop an understanding of the philosophical foundations and logistical processes involved in all NEASC accreditation pathways. Aspiring visitors will be introduced to the NEASC visitor competencies which will guide development and growth of personal skills and attributes. A commitment to personal growth and a coaching mentality complements the knowledge and experience required to engage with NEASC visits and the NEASC family of schools.
Please note, NEASC also offers training for our accreditation pathways specifically geared toward U.S. based independent schools and U.S. based public schools. More information on those trainings can be found here.

Requirements - Before the in-person workshop:

• Review the training video, "NEASC Visitor Training: Introduction to NEASC and ACE Learning 2.0" and complete required follow-up work; participants will receive instructions and access to the recording after registration
• Complete asynchronous work
• Attend the full workshop

If you wish to be considered for a visit:
Completion of the Visitor Training Workshop will prompt the written component, which will assess potential visitors’ conceptual understanding and writing ability. This component must be submitted after the workshop with a resume or CV that includes any prior experience with accreditation processes. Please refer to the list of NEASC Accreditation Visitor Requirements.

Eligibility:

IMPORTANT - Before registering for a Visitor Training Workshop, please ensure that you meet the following requirements and preferred qualities:

• NEASC Accreditation Visitor Requirements:
• Minimum of 5 years of educational experience
• Mid- to senior-level leadership experience
• Strong understanding of modern approaches to learning and teaching
• Deep understanding of whole school operations
• Understanding of NEASC philosophy and accreditation processes
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and technical written English