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Release Date

MONDAY, JANUARY 23

Admission, Advancement & Marketing

Hot Trends in Boarding Admission

Utilizing recent data from seasonal flash surveys among EMA's membership, and applicant activity via the Standard Application Online during the past admission cycle, this session explores the latest trends in admission.

Jim Daughdrill, The Enrollment Management Association

Hot Trends in Boarding Admission

30:06 Minutes
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Admission, Advancement & Marketing

Recurring Dreams: The Gifts that Keep on Giving

In this session develop an understanding of the power of recurring giving. Take a look at some loyalty programs for inspiration in this space, and explore how your tech partners can help you along your recurring giving journey, building out this prosperous revenue channel.

Felicity Meu, GiveCampus

Recurring Dreams: The Gifts that Keep on Giving

27:56 Minutes
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Leadership & Governance

People Will Remember How you Made Them Feel

As leaders in our schools, we are frequently deluged with complex issues of systems, schedules, contracts, and the administrative to-do's that are essential to keeping our schools running smoothly. But at the end of the day, the people in our communities are more likely to remember us and our communities not for what we did, but for how we made them feel. The research shows that the most powerful motivators for lifetime engagement of alumni and donors in our schools are lasting relationships, feelings of connectedness to affinity groups, and the nostalgia that persists across generations. In this session we will explore the ways in which the tools and practices of socio-emotional leadership can contribute to institutional flourishing..

Dr. Carrie Grimes, Vanderbilt University

People Will Remember How you Made Them Feel

37:58 Minutes
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Reslife, DEI, Health & Wellness

Mindful Eating for Teens & Adults: What it is and how to incorporate it in schools

Introduce what “mindful eating” is and strategies for teaching and practicing it. Bring awareness to thoughts, feelings, physical sensations related to eating, as well as our interrelationship with others and the earth we live in Shift control from external authorities and influences to our body's inner wisdom, reconnecting with hunger and satiety Empower ourselves to make mindful choices vs. dieting; mitigating deprivation Foster acceptance and balance; proactive vs. reactive eating patterns

Cate Smith, Meriwether Godsey

Mindful Eating for Teens & Adults: What it is and how to incorporate it in schools

24:21 Minutes
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Leadership & Governance

Tapping into Creative Compensation Strategies to Recruit, Retain, and Reward Top Level Talent for Today's Independent Schools

Industry leaders will provide insight on financially efficient strategies to retain, recruit, and reward executives How to navigate the conversation between the board and executives, and the psychology of career endurance

Clay Estabrooke, Modern Capital Executive Solutions
Mike Miele, Modern Capital Executive Solutions
Alexander Yaffe, Pearl Meyer

Tapping into Creative Compensation Strategies to Recruit, Retain, and Reward Top Level Talent for Today's Independent Schools

27:33 minutes
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Release Date

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

Leadership & Governance

Students, Parents, and Teachers: Generational Change in Boarding Schools

This presentation will focus on the significant impacts of generational change on three significant groups present at schools. What our students need, what their parents deem as value-added, and what the rising generation of teachers want in a job are all significant departures from what many of the programs, systems, and structures at boarding schools were designed for. How can schools meet the needs of these constituent groups? How can schools utilize data as a predictor? What changes must occur in order to align with these new realities?

Greg Martin, Vermont Academy
Jennifer Zaccara, Vermont Academy

Students, Parents, and Teachers: Generational Change in Boarding Schools

46:04 minutes
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Leadership & Governance

Your Assistant as Your Strategic Business Partner

The days of an Executive Assistant (EA) fetching tea and typing are long gone. Today's EA is capable and should be your strategic partner. By the end of this session, you will walk away understanding what an EA as a strategic partner looks like, what to look for when hiring, and how to work with your current EA to cultivate a strategic partnership that serves your school.

Jacqueline Leib, Lake Forest Academy

Your Assistant as Your Strategic Business Partner

24:52 minutes
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Admission, Advancement & Marketing

All in: Turning Around an Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is the lifeblood of an independent school and at the heart of creating a culture of philanthropy. In this session, the Ethel Walker School will share how they are transforming the Annual Fund for Walker’s. Utilizing data to guide their giving strategy, coupled with a continuous focus on stewardship, and a clear plan uniting the advancement team, Walker’s is breathing new life into a robust annual giving program.

Gretchen Orschiedt, The Ethel Walker School
Chloe Halpin, CCS Fundraising

All in: Turning Around an Annual Fund

25:24 Minutes
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Leadership & Governance

“Why Didn’t You Tell Me?” Performance Management for Schools

In a relational environment like our schools, critical performance-related conversations with faculty and staff are often neglected, leading to frustrated managers and confused employees who don’t understand why no one told them there was a problem. In this session, we’ll tackle these conversations through case studies, developing new communication skills and learning why performance management is essential for a healthy campus.

Amber Stockham, National Business Officers Association

“Why Didn’t You Tell Me?” Performance Management for Schools

43:43 Minutes
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RESLIFE, DEI, HEALTH & WELLNESS

Student Driven Mental Health Collaboration

Are you curious how to have a student led group collaborate with health and wellness initiatives to decrease mental health stigma on your campus? Hear from students who are passionate about wellbeing and mental health on how including a student led group can be a powerful way to lead preventative mental health efforts on your campus. This workshop will help lay the groundwork for creating a successful committee of students that focuses efforts on wellbeing.

Lisa Roethling, The Hill School

Student Driven Mental Health Collaboration

23:22 Minutes
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Release Date

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

Leadership & Governance

The Head-Admissions Dean Relationship: Partners in Strategy and Growth

The idea of the Head of School as fundraiser-in-chief has been well documented, but how can school heads today best partner with their Admissions Deans? How can and should Admissions leads engage their heads? This session brings practical answers to a key partnership, from a Head who built a career in enrollment management and an Admissions Dean who has worked in strategic planning for universities and independent schools. We together see our relationship as the leading edge of strategic thinking on a boarding campus and offer practical guidance to get beyond the tactical, out of the weeds, and in to the visioning this partnership can make possible.

Josh Labove, Wayland Academy
Jason Warnick, Wayland Academy

The Head-Admissions Dean Relationship: Partners in Strategy and Growth

37:33 Minutes
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Reslife, DEI, Health & Wellness

Lessons Learned from a Global Ransomware Attack

In January 2022, Finalsite faced a technology and PR crisis involving a ransomware attack on its systems. These types of attacks are becoming more common across all industries, including independent schools — and in 2020 it cost them over $6 billion. Are you prepared to respond should cyber criminals hack into one of your school's many IT systems? Join Finalsite as we share lessons learned from our ransomware situation. You’ll leave this session feeling more prepared to respond to an attack from both a technology and communications perspective.

Rob DiMartino, Finalsite

Lessons Learned from a Global Ransomware Attack

25:24 minutes
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Reslife, DEI, Health & Wellness

A New Threat Targeting International Students: Virtual Kidnapping

What originally emerged as a scam targeting travelers to various regions of the world has now emerged as a threat against international students in the US and around the world. Students have ended up entrapped in a scam in which they are coerced to stage their own virtual kidnapping in an attempt to extort money from families. This session focuses on what happened in one instance to thwart such a scam and what educators and schools can do to protect their students from abroad and the school from liability.

Christopher Brigham, Ethel Walker School
Meera Viswanathan, Ethel Walker School

A New Threat Targeting International Students: Virtual Kidnapping

21:31 minutes
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Leadership & Governance

DIY Survey Research for Schools

All good schools strive for continuous improvement. Feedback is essential to that goal, and one of the best ways to get it is through surveying your students, families and employees. Learn how to conduct your own survey research, even on a small (or nonexistent) budget, and collect actionable, informative data to help you improve and market your school. You'll also get tips on creating reports and presentations to share your survey findings with key stakeholders.

Sam Charnes, Interlochen Arts Academy
Camille Colatosti, Interlochen Arts Academy

DIY Survey Research for Schools

15:00 Minutes
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leadership & governance

Employee Retention Tax Credit

In this session learn about the Employee Retention Tax Credit, including eligibility requirements and the necessary documentation needed to utilize this program.

Dezaree Porter, ERC Zone

Employee Retention Tax Credit

15:07 minutes
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Release Date

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

Admission, Advancement & Marketing

Relationship Marketing: Turning Customers into Brand Ambassadors

Industry leaders provide insight on financially efficient strategies to retain, recruit, and reward executives. Learn how to navigate the conversation between the board and executives, and the psychology of career endurance.

Michelle Turner, Leysin American School in Switzerland

Relationship Marketing: Turning Customers into Brand Ambassadors

1:07:05 Minutes
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Reslife, DEI, Health & Wellness

If You're Not Having Fun, You're Not Doing Your Job

Our students need schools to be joyful places – and let’s face it, so do teachers. In this session, we will discuss how to bring joy into your practice, as well as the common pitfalls that prevent us from realizing the magic of education. Participants will consider the importance of their energy and relationships while learning strategies to love the job. Let’s have some fun.

Nick Nowak, Cardigan Mountain School

If You're Not Having Fun, You're Not Doing Your Job

15:17 minutes
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leadership & governance

Conduct a Technology Self-Audit: And Tips for Filling the Gaps

More than ever before, technology is a central, critical component of delivering on a school's mission. It's time to ask important technology questions to find long-term sustainability in pandemic-era strategies. Leveraging an internal self-study on technology for education and operations, this session demonstrates how to analyze school-wide initiatives, conduct strategic planning, help manage transitions, or assist in accreditation reviews. The session addresses risk mitigation and provides resources for schools looking to fill in missing pieces.

Christina Lewellen, Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools
Jeff Dayton, The Madeira School

Conduct a Technology Self-Audit: And Tips for Filling the Gaps

30:18 Minutes
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Admission, Advancement & Marketing

The Power of the #Hashtag

Hashtags have toppled countries and sparked social change. Paired with a strong #ContentStrategy, they can make your message stand out to digitally-savvy parents and students.

Learn how to use this secret weapon in your school marketing and communications.

Harness the power of social media, learn top tips to keep your #SchoolStories flowing, and see examples from #InspiringSchools all over the world.

Dan Duncan, Interactive Schools

The Power of the #Hashtag

38:34 Minutes
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Release Date

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27

Reslife, DEI, Health & Wellness

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING: JOIN THE TABS RESIDENTIAL & STUDENT LIFE FORUM

Join TABS and your boarding school colleagues to discuss key issues and glean insight about critical timely topics from experts in the space.

Admission, Advancement & Marketing

Keep the Conversation Going: Join the TABS Admission & Marketing Forum

Join TABS and your boarding school colleagues to discuss key issues and glean insight about critical timely topics from experts in the space.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING: JOIN THE TABS DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION FORUM

Join TABS and your boarding school colleagues to discuss key issues and glean insight about critical timely topics from experts in the space.

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What people are saying

Q

SETH LOW

After growing up as a faculty child at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, Seth attended Williams College and subsequently spent five years working as a geologist at an environmental engineering and consulting firm located outside of Boston. As Associate Head of School, Seth runs the day-to-day operation of the school, ensuring collaboration, integration, and alignment with the school’s mission and values. He teaches in the Center for Citizenship and Just Democracy and coaches lacrosse. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, fly fishing, and loving/hating the Red Sox. Seth lives on campus with his wife Anne, their son David ’26, and daughter Sarah.

ARI BETOF

Dr. Ari Betof is the co-founder and partner of Mission & Data and a nationally recognized expert in nonprofit organizational stewardship and sustainability. Ari’s consulting work is informed by fifteen years of leadership and governance experience, during which he has built thriving organizations and maximized mission-aligned revenue growth. He combines strategy, analysis, and organizational transformation skills with a deep understanding of fundraising, enrollment management, and branding. Known for his ability to facilitate group processes with diverse stakeholders, Ari is a savvy, emotionally intelligent partner who builds trusting relationships and creates scalable systems.

Ari has served as an independent school trustee, head of school, administrator, and teacher. He began his career as a physics and mathematics teacher and coach. He has held various administrative roles, including Head of School, Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Enrollment Management, and Director of Strategic Planning. Ari’s experience spans day and boarding schools, single and multi-campus schools, and religiously affiliated and nonsectarian schools. He holds a B.S. in physics and mathematics from Guilford College, a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Cornell University. Ari, his wife, and their two daughters live in Bucks County, PA.

patricia sasser

Patricia previously served as the Head of the Upper School at the Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Florida. She also worked at the Loomis Chaffee School as a dean of students and was heavily involved in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at the school. Prior to Loomis Chaffee, Patricia worked at The Madeira School in several roles, including as a major gifts officer, director of student activities, special assistant to the head of school on diversity, and the assistant dean of students for residential life.

Before transitioning into education, Ms. Sasser worked at ESPN as an associate producer, where she was a two-time Emmy® nominee and a 2006 Emmy® award winner.

Raquel majeski

Raquel Majeski began working at Lawrence Academy in 2017 and is the Assistant Head of School. She has a BA from Eckerd College in communications and human development and an MA from Nova Southeastern University in reading and special education. Raquel lives in Brazer with her two children, Lauryn and Wade. She loves spending time with the students at LA, participating in book clubs and bible study groups, and attending Dave Matthews Band concerts. Raquel is also the Chair of the diversity task force for the town of Groton.

MARQUIS SCoTT

Marquis Scott joined The Lawrenceville School in 2018 and has made significant contributions in various leadership roles. He has implemented a technology-focused strategic plan to enhance cyber security practices, improve employee portal utilization, and streamline campus-wide technology support. Marquis has also played a pivotal role in advancing the School’s initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion, implementing best practices and leading senior staff efforts in this area. Additionally, he has led strategic communication and institutional marketing committees, ensuring consistent communication, website strategy, and brand identity aligned with the School’s mission. Marquis has been instrumental in the marketing and branding of Lawrenceville’s Gruss Center for Art & Design and collaborates with the Lawrenceville community to prioritize and execute strategic projects. 

In addition to his role as the assistant head of school, Marquis has successfully undertaken various acting leadership positions, including chief technology officer, director of communications and external affairs, dean of diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, and director of human resources. Currently, he leads a student-centered Wellness Team, working collaboratively with the medical director, dean of students, and dean of campus well-being to prioritize a holistic approach to student well-being.

Scott holds a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University’s School of Business in Newark, NJ, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Computer Science from Union College in Schenectady, NY, and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa, with an anticipated completion date of Winter 23-24. Scott recently completed the National Association of Independent Schools’ Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. He is an alumnus of the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Hotchkiss Board of Governors.

Courtney Jackson

Courtney is an educator and DEI practitioner who currently lives in Connecticut at The Loomis Chaffee School, where she serves as the Director of Gender and Sexuality, English teacher, and dorm head. Courtney is an alumna of The Peddie School in New Jersey, earned her BA in Philosophy from Lehigh University, where she also was a member of the Women’s Soccer team. She earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College, where she studied gender and sexuality, and a Master in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she studied diversity, equity, and inclusion more broadly. Courtney enjoys spending time outside with her dog, reading memoirs, running, cycling, and sipping coffee.

WILLIAM GILYARD

Will Gilyard is in his 19th year of working in independent schools. In 2020, he returned to his alma mater Choate Rosemary Hall to take on the roles of Form Dean, and Alumni Engagement Associate. Will joined Choate after nine years at the Kingswood Oxford School (KO), a 6-12 independent day school located in West Hartford, CT, where he served as Dean of Students, an upper school math teacher, assistant football coach, and faculty advisor for the United Students club and Boys of Color group. At Choate, Will is the faculty adviser to Choate Afro Latino Men (CALM), and Girls Who Code (GWC).

Will also serves as a core faculty member and helped create the curriculum for the Institute for New Teachers of Color in Independent Schools, created in 2020, the Interschool Leadership Institute, created in 2013. Will also served as a core faculty member of the Kingswood Oxford Leadership Institute for Educators of Color (KOLIEC) from 2011-2018 and helped create the curriculum for the mentoring/advising circles for institute participants.

Before joining KO, Will was the Head of the Upper School at the Cathedral School of St. John the Divine in New York City. He serves on the board of advisors for the IDEAL School, also located in New York City. He is passionate about the role of educators in independent schools, specifically in the lives of students of color. Will has attended numerous workshops, conferences, and institutes related to leadership in independent schools and anti-racist education. Will had the honor of being a member of a think tank for the CARLE institute. 

Will has his B.A. in Psychology from Williams College and his M.A. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Joseph. Will is thrilled to be a part of the TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) team and looks forward to working with energized and focused individuals who are interested in being change agents in the residential life sphere.

Will and his wife, Afton, ALP/Enrichment Teacher in Stratford Public Schools reside in Wallingford, CT with their two sons, William (10) and Maxwell (8).

RYAN PAGOTTO

Associate Head of School Ryan Pagotto ’97 joined Blair’s faculty in 2002 and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the School on matters related to student and residential life, including health and counseling services, athletics and co-curricular programs. He runs Monday School Meeting and, among other things, is known for greeting students in the morning at the Clinton Hall doorway and offering freshly picked apples from his office during the month of October. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Ryan serves as a member of the history department and teaches Global Issues. He also authors the monthly e-newsletter From Hilltop to Home, a communication designed to help new boarding-school parents navigate the ins and outs of the Blair experience.

Over the course of his time at Blair, Ryan has served as a history teacher, head tennis coach, a dorm head and Dean of Admission. He completed his undergraduate work at Dickinson College, where he captained the men’s tennis team, and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbia University. Before joining the faculty at Blair, Ryan taught at the Taft Summer School in Watertown, Connecticut, and Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania. He also spent three summers as program director of the Cambridge Prep Experience at Peterhouse College, Cambridge University.

In addition to his roles in schools, Ryan has served as a faculty member for the TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) Summer Session and is a regular presenter at national boarding and independent school conferences on student and residential life.

Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, performing arts department chair and Director of Instrumental Music at Blair, live in Grullon House with their children, Jack, Will, Ella and Addison, and their dog, Teagan. The Pagottos enjoy opening their home to Blair students, faculty and staff members throughout the year.

SUSAN BALDRIDGE

Susan Baldridge is the Executive Director of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), a member association that counsels, connects, and champions boarding schools, delivering professional learning, data insights, and strategic guidance to boarding schools throughout North America. Prior to her work with TABS, Susan served as a strategic consultant and advisor to schools and colleges. She also co-authored the book, The College Stress Test, an analysis of educational market data; the book was named one of the best books on higher education in 2020 by Forbes Magazine. Until 2018, she served as a professor and leader at Middlebury College for over 25 years, most recently as Executive Vice President and Provost. She received her B.S. from Denison University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from UCLA.