INSPIRE! Session 1 – 2024 ICGS Conference

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INSPIRE! Session 1
Tuesday, June 25
3:10-4:00 p.m.

Fostering a Culture of Connectedness and Belonging Through An Advisory Program
Experience the impactful components of an Advisory Program, which aims to develop social-emotional competencies, build inclusive communities, foster creativity and collaboration, and celebrate agency.  Participants will benefit from a roadmap navigating them through creating an engaging program where young women have a voice within a support network of invested adult advocates.  Activities and lessons promoting academic achievement and personal success within a nonevaluative setting will be unpacked with takeaways that can be easily replicated.  The hallmarks of this program will be reviewed as they pertain to deep and authentic relationship-building, Circles, reflection, and innovative, equitable learning environments.

Presenter: Dr. Patricia Caine, Assistant Principal | Resurrection College Prep High School (United States)

Audience: Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteachers; Teachers/Faculty; School Counselors; Student Life; Extracurricular/Co-Academic Programs

Content Based Approaches to Social and Emotional Learning
Students need Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills now more than ever, but the field is sometimes misunderstood and rejected as “too interpersonal.” While we often assume that SEL can only be taught through students reflecting directly on their personal lives and experiences, this session will demonstrate how teaching SEL standards through course specific content can empower students and teachers alike by making the process of SEL more accessible for genuine engagement.

Presenter: Gigi Esser, Upper School English Teacher | Villa Duchesne (United States)

Audience: Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteachers; Teachers/Faculty; Student Life; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Practitioners

Creating a Curriculum in the world Languages for Girls with Learning Differences
Many female students are being identified with learning differences that have traditionally impeded them from “learning” a world language. After 3 years of pioneering a program at Maryvale Preparatory School, I can share my take aways with anyone interested in starting a Spanish program at their school.

Presenter: Ana Sabrina George, World Language Instructor | Maryvale Preparatory School (United States)

Audience: Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Teachers/Faculty

Fostering Inclusive Learning Environments: Exploring the Interplay between DEIB and SEL
Embark on a thought-provoking journey with us as we explore the intricate interplay between Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) AND Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Our session invites you to navigate the convergence of diverse perspectives, equitable practices and principles of inclusive learning environments all while emphasizing the crucial role of social and emotional skills development that lead to BELONGING.  Join our enriching dialogue, where we delve into insights, share effective strategies and showcase real-world examples as we aspire to create, deepen, and sustain holistic and inclusive educational environments where every Girl can experience a true sense of belonging.

Presenters: Tiphanie Gilmore Edwards, Chief People Officer | Building Hope; Sylvia Cason, School Counselor | Elizabeth Seton High School (United States)

Audience: Elementary/Primary/Lower School; Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteacher; Senior Administrators; Teachers/Faculty; School Counselors; Student Life; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Practitioners

NSW, Australia: Modern Languages K-10 Syllabus & Program Development
Explore NSW K-10 Modern Language: Rationale, Aim, Outcomes, Content, Assessment

Presenter: Elaine  (Yuk Ling) Lee, Ms | Pymble Ladies’ College (Australia)

Audience: Elementary/Primary/Lower School; Middle School; Teachers/Faculty

Learning Commons-Transforming a traditional library to a collaborative workspace
Learn strategies to help turn your traditional library from a quiet individual study space to an open collaborative space where your entire school community can come together and grow the academic hub of your school.

Presenter: Erin Moyer, Director of Library Media Services | St. Paul’s School for Girls (United States)

Audience: Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteachers; Teachers/Faculty; Admissions/Enrollment; Student Life; Extracurricular/Co-Academic Programs; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Practitioners

Cultivating the Next Generation of Female Leaders in STEM at the Elementary-Age
Women occupy only 6% of STEM CEO positions in the S&P 500 and are represented in leadership roles across STEM. So, let’s flip the script by equipping elementary-age girls with a curriculum including entrepreneurship and empathy-based leadership skills. Lessons span STEM careers to elevator pitches, culminating with a group product pitch to mock “investors.” While these topics are often introduced at older ages, this curriculum empowers girls to embrace them in elementary school, instilling the belief that women can lead in STEM at any level. Let’s create female leaders and conquer the world of entrepreneurship together.

Presenter: Alexis (“Lexie”) Polevoi, Product Manager, Founder, and STEM Educator | Learn with Ms. Lexie featured at The Hamlin School and Katherine Delmar Burke School (United States)

Audience: Elementary/Primary/Lower School; Middle School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteachers; Teachers/Faculty; Development/Advancement; Extracurricular/Co-Academic Programs; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Practitioners; Technology and Leadership

Building a School Culture That SHINES… yes, it’s possible!
Imagine a school where every student and staff member knows who they truly are and why they matter.  It all starts with a staff who discovers and uses the SHINE self-awareness framework, which focuses on personal Strengths, Hobbies, Interests, Irritants, Needs, and unique life Experiences (SHINE).  Listen in as one of our certified Shineologists describes the culture shift that has occurred at her campus after implementing the SHINE methodology, and discover ways you can immediately embark on a SHINE journey at your own school as well.

Presenters: Amy Spurlock, Programming Assistant for Schools and Education | House of Shine; Lauren Hitron, Director of the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute | Sacred Heart Schools (United States)

Audience: Elementary/Primary/Lower School; Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteachers; Senior Administrators; Teachers/Faculty; School Counselors; Student Life

Roundtable Discussion for Arts Educators
To provide a space for arts educators to come together to discuss what’s happening in our classrooms and studios. How are we using the arts to empower our students, while cultivating responsible audiences, consumers, and entrepreneurs?

Presenter: Alaina Tary, Dance Educator | St. Paul’s School for Girls (United States)

Audience: Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Teachers/Faculty; Extracurricular/Co-Academic Programs; Arts Educators

The Student Journey, A Modern Toolbox for Success
The student journey is dynamic for neurodiverse learners (Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, DSD, Tourettes, and chronic mental health conditions). Our brains are designed to be different, just as our bodies and backgrounds. The Modern Toolbox for Success reframes and supports each student’s experience – a unique path for those who think, do, and dream differently by illustrating the tools and skills for best outcomes. The goal is to achieve breakthroughs and cultivate courageous conversations, meaningful reflection, and engage with purposeful action. It is a simple, inclusive, non-judgemental visual for all learners to create a lifestyle that integrates self-awareness, growth, and empowerment.

Presenter: Catie Chase, Professional Life Coach & Educational Consultant | Catie Chase Consulting, LLC (United States)

Audience: Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Senior Administrators; Teachers/Faculty; School Counselors; Student Life; Extracurricular/Co-Academic Programs; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Practitioners; Learning Services

Learn Your Authentic Captain & Poet Leadership Style
Effective leadership starts with self-awareness. Even as seasoned leaders, we continue to evolve and grow in response to the needs of our team, school and community. Learn a simple language to connect with your signature leader within – and to recognize that of others. Understand how the inner Captain and Poet work in partnership enabling us to be our best selves, giving us an inner compass for navigating challenges and honouring our inner voice as we lead – while taking into consideration the needs of others. Join us to heighten your self-leadership abilities, explore your unique leadership style, and lead with authenticity.

Presenters: Jan Frolic, Co-Founder; Jennifer Johnson Co-Founder | Captains & Poets (Canada)

Audience: Elementary/Primary/Lower School; Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteachers; Senior Administrators; Teachers/Faculty; School Counselors; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Practitioners

Little Changes, Lasting Effects: Design Strategies for Empowering Girls in Educational Spaces
How can simple design changes in your school’s physical environment significantly enhance the learning and empowerment of your female students? This session explores the transformative potential of “Design Patterns” in creating nurturing and effective learning environments that clarify the functionality of educational spaces. By dissecting the complex system of school design into manageable components, you will learn how these patterns not only aid in design but also help connect various aspects of successful educational environments and experiences. Attendees will be guided through the process of using these fundamental tools to optimize spaces for female students, demonstrating how even minor modifications to the layout of a school can yield significant and empowering results. This presentation aims to equip participants with practical solutions to the intricacies of a school’s physical environment, fostering an understanding that small changes can have a profound impact on learner outcomes.

Presenters: Fielding International (United States)

Audience: Elementary/Primary/Lower School; Middle School; Upper/Senior/High School; Heads of School/Principals/Presidents/Headteacher; Senior Administrators; Teachers/Faculty