CONCURRENT SESSIONS

TRACKS
ACADEMICS | ADMISSION | ADVANCEMENT/MARKETING | COLLEGE COUNSELING | RESIDENTIAL LIFE

ACADEMICS

Are You Really Teaching Leadership?
Boarding schools with diverse and global populations have a unique opportunity to better prepare students for the future and can differentiate their programmatic offerings with focused and intentional curriculum that fosters experiential learning and appreciation of leadership. Within the residential and academic advantages of a boarding school environment, schools can educate students on site and in ways not easily accomplished at day schools. Come learn what your students will need to know as they enter the workplace and discover how your school can differentiate itself with meaningful approaches to leadership education.
Presenter: Stephanie Rogen, President/Founder, Greenwich Leadership Partners, CT

Club Med? An all-inclusive approach to International Programs
A large portion of our international students do not take ESL classes. Prior to 2009, they did not have access to the same benefits as those enrolled in ESL courses. Because of this, we changed from a per course fee ESL program to an all-inclusive Center for International Students, which serves all international students regardless of course placement. Our presentation will give an overview of the current program, the reasons behind the change, and also the overall success of the transition.
Presenters: Tracy Weitz, Director, Center for International Student; and Stephanie Morin, Director of Enrollment and Marketing, Fryeburg Academy, ME

Developing and Sustaining Global Programs in a Boarding Environment
The Office of Global Programs at St. George's School provides support for community members in a global context that includes: teacher and student travel and exchanges, on-campus programming, and innovative academic course offerings. In its 6th year, the office has developed assessments of risk, academic rigor, and civic engagement for the global component of the St. George's experience. The presentation will examine the development and sustainability of global programs at St. George's School.
Presenters: Lucy Goldstein, Dean of 4th Form/Community Serve Director; and Devon Ducharme, Faculty, St. George's School, RI

Designing the Ideal ESL Program: How to Prepare International Students for Academic Success
What should boarding schools consider when developing or revamping an ESL program? How do you align your English curriculum to accommodate the needs your international students? During this session, we will consider the role of placement testing, exit mechanisms, recruitment of students and faculty, extracurricular and residential programs, and preparation of non-ESL faculty to work with students with lower English proficiency. We will also share learning initiatives that extend beyond the classroom and promote cultural exchanges within the comprehensive school community. Join us to discover how to immerse international students in a curriculum that incorporates cultural dialogues, wellness, and etiquette. Questions and comments are encouraged.
Presenters: Lauren Rogers, Teacher and House Counselor; Sarah Winkler, English Department Chair and Teacher, Salem Academy, NC; and Allison Rainville, Independent Consultant, VA

Educating Abroad, A Roadmap to Working Overseas
This presentation will focus on working overseas in American or International school communities as well as Teach Abroad Programs. It will discuss everything from the search process to integrating into an overseas school community. This presentation will relay the joys and challenges of working abroad and living in a foreign culture; it will offer practical advice about marketing oneself and taking advantage of what international school life has to offer. It will also touch upon developing cultural sensitive teaching techniques, raising a family overseas, and transitioning back to a career in the US.
Presenters: Martin Milne, Vice President, ASSIST, CT

Educating Global Citizens
This workshop will offer participants a new way of teaching students and other community members to become global citizens, by exploring how Professor Hobert teaches his Boston University seminar, "Educating Global Citizens". Areas of focus include: foreign language offerings, including Mandarin and Arabic; acquiring and honing international conflict analysis, management and prevention skills, and; international service learning opportunities. This workshop will provide participants with knowledge of today's rapidly changing, interdependent world, and will offer them in-depth knowledge about how to create a syllabus for and offer this course at their own schools.
Presenter: Professor Carl Hobert, Founder/CEO, Axis of Hope, MA

Foreign/World Language Studies for a Globalizing World: Culture Takes The Lead
We will present a case for re-examining what we do in foreign/world language courses and reorienting them around a complex and critical (power sensitive) notion of culture. In this curricular vision culture, and its sister concept of identity combine with language and communication to reveal new ways of thinking about how what we do in foreign language classrooms might be adjusted to better serve our 21st century students and help them address the unprecedented challenges they will face in their lifetimes.
Presenter: Eileen Kelly-Aguirre, Assistant Head/Dean of Faculty, The Gunnery, CT

From Mao to America: How Chinese Students Can Thrive in Your Classrooms
While Chinese students have well-deserved outstanding reputations for hard-work, motivation, and success on examinations, they often fail when they come to the US. They have not been prepared for classrooms where students are expected to think critically, solve complex problems and approach challenges creatively. The have been taught to memorize and recite facts on examinations. Their ingrained respect for their elders and teachers and their being taught to not confront others runs counter to the frequent expectation in US classrooms that students will question and challenge each other and their teachers. How can US schools teach Chinese students new ways of learning and thinking? How can we turn them from passive to active learners? This workshop will offer practical suggestions and broader understandings on how to transform Chinese students into successful learners.
Presenters: Katherine Windsor, Head of School, Miss Porter's School, CT
Stephen Gessner, President, Council for American Culture and Education, New York

Mind/Body/Spirit: Supporting the whole student
Come learn how the Culver Academies assists international students inside and outside of the classroom through an integrated support system. The Academies have developed a holistic approach to successfully guide international students through their boarding school experience. The Learning Support Committee and International Student Programming have taken the lead in creating an effective model to help this unique group of learners. Come discover how developing such a support system can work for your school without exhausting your faculty or breaking the bank.
Presenters: Catherine Tulungen, International Student Program Coordinator; and Cory Barnes, Director of Academic Advising, The Culver Academies, IN

Motivated to Adapt and Wired to Connect
This presentation draws upon the studies in the field of emotional and social intelligence, neuroscience, and interpersonal neurobiology to understand the effects of disorientation and disconnect associated with the experience of cultural displacement, and how we could support the international students in establishing a sense of self and purpose in our schools. Also, what are the opportunities for domestic students to become more socially aware and emotionally connected to the experiences of "others", preparing them to be compassionate and self-aware participants in a global society.
Presenter: Cathy Yun, Director of International Community Programs/ Head of ESL Dept; and Steve Durning, Teacher/ Humanities Dept, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, MA

ADMISSION

Establishing a successful orientation program for new international students.
New international students experience greater success early on when they participate in a campus orientation program that assists them to properly acclimate to local culture, the English language and your school campus. There are many elements to a successful orientation program. Learn how to gain administrative support for, plan and execute a successful new international student orientation program that is specifically tailored to your school's needs.
Presenter: DaRel Christiansen, Director of Admission, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Georgia

Increased Enrollment and Fundraising Through Global School Partnerships
Strategic planning for admissions and international fundraising must include partnerships with schools around the world. Wasatch Academy has used a variety of different partnerships to increase enrollment at the school. Our partnerships have resulted in students from 36 countries enrolling at Wasatch Academy for the 2011-2012 academic year. In addition to enrollment maximization at the school, Wasatch Academy has also seen higher results in increased revenue streams through the different global partnerships it has made with different institutions around the world. This presentation will outline how one school has developed a plan of global sustainability in a difficult worldwide economy
Presenters: Steve Blanchard, Vice President of Advancement; and Dan Smith, Director of International Partnerships, Wasatch Academy, Utah

International Credentials: Detecting Fraudulent Documents
Identifying authentic academic records is a critical part of the international admissions process. This session will give you tips, tools and resources for detecting fraudulent documents. Learn about trends in document alteration, how to verify that a credential is authentic, and why it is important that schools practice high ethical standards in record keeping.
Presenter: Amy VanSurksum, Associate Director of Admission, Saint John's Preparatory School, MN

International Student Recruitment Strategies and Government Resources
This session will examine various strategies and resources to recruit international students through the U.S Department of Commerce's offices across the U.S as well as overseas. Attendees will learn about this federal agency's latest programs including educational missions, study fairs, customized in-country appointments with prospective partners and institutions abroad, international market research, and numerous virtual recruitment services.
Presenter: James Paul, Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, MA

Managing Expectations of International Families; Admission and College Counseling Working Together
Sharing five-year data on international student enrollment and college matriculation collected from peer schools across the country, and looking at current marketing and recruiting trends and school practices, we will focus on and discuss the dynamic, complex, and challenging nature of working with our growing number of international families and helping them understand the culture of education in independent, college preparatory American boarding schools.
Presenters: Louisa Zendt, Director of Admission and Financial Aid; and Katherine Fritz, Director of College Counseling, St. Andrew's School, Delaware

More Than Mount Gay: Strategies for Recruiting Caribbean Students
Why does it make sense to recruit students from the Caribbean? How can these students contribute to your community? What is sorrel? This interactive workshop will focus on strategies to identify and recruit talented Caribbean students. The presenter, who has extensive experience living and working in the Caribbean, will provide their insights, and facilitate a discussion with the goal of the workshop attendees sharing best practices.
Presenters: Colin Lord, Senior Associate Director of Admission, Choate Rosemary Hall, CT; and Michael Walker, Education Consultant, Micheal Bedi Walker & Associates

Recruiting in China: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks
China has rapidly become a primary market for independent schools, providing opportunities for both day and boarding schools to increase diversity, enroll bright and talented international students, and recruit tuition-paying candidates. But how can a school effectively manage and evaluate this vast pool of applicants and agents? Presenters will provide some background to the growing market in China for independent schools; discuss current strategies for student recruitment and applicant evaluation techniques; and provide some insight into the expectations and goals of Chinese families for their children attending independent schools.
Presenters: Martin Milne, Vice President for School and Family Relations, ASSIST, CT; and Stanley Xu, CEO, Taurus Education, Jing An District

Sustaining a Healthy Enrollment in Difficult Times: An Integrated Approach
Hear how a school-wide approach leads to the development and implementation of a global model designed to sustain healthy domestic and international enrollment in challenging times. Shifting demographics, economic uncertainty, increased competition for international students, and changing consumer behaviors dramatically affects how we recruit, enroll and retain. Create a model at your school with the tools provided in this session. Receive helpful hand-outs, sample presentations, research on potential new full-pay markets and enrollment plans to present these challenges to your Board and faculty; learn the best methods and resources for tracking trends; and leave with specific ideas on how you can lead the charge.
Presenters: Dr. James Tracy, Headmaster; Melanie Connors, Assistant Head of School; and Deborah Gustafson, Co-Director of Admission, Cushing Academy, MA

Understanding your Chinese Applicants
Since visa restrictions were relaxed in 2006, Independent schools in the US have seen an influx of Chinese applicants. With this new market, both opportunities and challenges abound. In this session, we will provide an overview on the Chinese education system, Chinese perspectives on the US education system and existing cultural assumptions made by both Americans and Chinese. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the Chinese education landscape and what to consider when evaluating Chinese applicants.
Presenter: Chris Boehner, Executive Director, Vericant, Beijing, China

ADVANCEMENT/MARKETING

Donor Centered Fundraising in an International Market
In a time when more and more students are coming from international locations, schools are being faced with the challenge of fundraising from a constituency that does not have a culture of philanthropy. Schools are being forced to confront this reality and cultivate relationships among these families. To achieve success, Allison and Randy will show how schools must commit completely to meeting givers in this market where they are, and bringing them to place a giving.
Presenters: Randy Bertin, Head of School, Besant Hill School, CA; and Allison Hannah, Development and Alumni Affairs Officer, Cheshire Academy, CT

Global Fundraising - No Easy Task
Fundraising outside of the United States takes a different set of glasses. Cultures and countries differ in their philanthropic attitudes and inclinations. Four seasoned advancement professionals (former head, sitting vice president for advancement, a development officer, and a partner in a fundraising firm) will provide overarching guidance and share tested strategies. The panel will be information rich. Audience participation is welcomed and will add substantially to the value of this session. Speakers to be announced later but follow the above areas of expertise
Presenter: Meg Milne Moulton, Vice President for Advancement, ASSIST, MA

Philanthropy as a Global Concept: One Firm’s Experience - (Part I and II)
Among all Independent Schools, boarding schools have been the most successful in creating a culture of philanthropy among their North American constituents. As our communities have become more diverse, boarding schools have focused on ways to approach prospective donors from other cultures. Some boarding schools have had great success while others continue to struggle. Four members of the Marts & Lundy firm will present one firm’s view on the factors-both strategic and tactical -which lead to success in annual fund and major gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship in schools and in colleges and universities. The session will encourage discussion and the sharing of innovative ideas.
Presenter: Kathy Hanson, Senior Consultant & Principal; Karen Callahan, Senior Consultant; and Catherine McGrath, Senior Consultant and Analyst, Marts & Lundy; Taylor Stockdale, Of Counsel; Head of Schools, The Webb Schools, CA

Philanthropy, When West Meets East
China is a familiar market for admissions, but a difficult and misunderstood place for development. This workshop will offer you more than a westerner’s view on international fundraising. One presenter spent 15 years in Asia and 15 years in the US and is an equal bilingual and bi-cultural professional. His unique personal background coupled with his multiple-year work experience at boarding schools will offer you the opportunity to demystify China from the inside. In 2010-2011, with little money invested, the presenters successfully worked with a Chinese family for a 6-figure commitment, which set an example for other Chinese families. By walking through this case study together with data, you will be challenged, gain a new understanding of Asia and learn culturally specific and effective tools and strategies for development.
Presenter: Jay Lin, Director, College Admissions and Career Counseling, Dipont Education Management Group, Shanghai; Christopher Hayes, Dean of Faculty, Cheshire Academy, CT

COLLEGE ADVISING

College Advising The High Financial Need International Students: "The Eye of the Needle"
The vast majority of colleges and universities do not offer need-based aid to international students, and many of the ones that do cap the amount of aid an international student may receive. Only a sliver of schools offer full aid and are need-blind in such instances. Colleges that offer such aid stretch these limited dollars to meet a host of institutional priorities-- diverse geographic and socio-economic background. College advisors (and boarding school admissions professionals) need to understand how to help these students navigate these narrow straits and understand the competing financial and institutional forces at play.
Presenters: Rick Hazelton, Director of College Advising, The Hotchkiss School, CT; and Beth Ann Burkman, Associate Director of College Counseling, The Hun School, NJ

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Boarding in Australia - the Similarities and Differences
A workshop exploring the challenges of boarding school life in Australia, focusing on the similarities and differences between the USA and Australia. The Global Market is a challenge for us all, and the Australian Boarding Schools Association is working toward developing close relationships with TABS to help us both.
Presenters: Richard Stokes, Executive Director; and Pauline Turner, Vice Chairman, Australian Boarding Schools Association, Qld

Connecting International Families
This session offers strategies for connecting international families to dorms and school, focusing on: support of admitted families, fall orientation of families, and communication and partnership throughout the year. Topics include: international orientation, electronic conferencing, translation services, effective methods for ongoing communication, international family networking, managing discipline cases, international student college application support, academic and social/emotional counseling, and intercultural training for faculty. A forum time will allow participants to share their ideas and offer up challenges for the group to brainstorm solutions.
Presenters: Julie Sikkink, Dean of Residential Life; and Bonnie Brennan, Director of Residential Life & Residential Admissions, Oregon Episcopal School, OR

Effective Immersion and the U.S. Boarding School Experience
Student Assimilation, Program Adjustment, Cultural Exchange: seeking the right balance. How do we maintain the "American Boarding School" experience in globally/culturally diverse communities? In this workshop-style presentation participants will share their experiences and strategies in meeting the needs of culturally diverse groups while still maintaining the integrity of their unique boarding schools' community. Come prepared to share your struggles and successes as we all work together to strengthen the cultural immersion experience for members of our communities.
Presenter: Marjie Needham, Dean of Students, Darrow School, NY

From The Students' Perspective: What the International Students Have to Say
This presentation is based on videotaped interviews of 21 students from 10 different countries. Students answer the question "what do adults not know about the experience of international students." Through a number of mini-videos, the presentation addresses topics pertinent to this population such as Distance from Home, Language, and Cultural Differences both in and out of the Classroom. Participants will hear from the students' perspective what is challenging, as well as what would make for a more supportive and expansive experience.
Presenter: Eve Berman, School Counselor, The Walnut Hill School for the Arts, MA

Global Students, Global Leaders
Most US boarding schools have leadership opportunities, founded on western philosophical traditions. These opportunities prepare students for life outside of the classroom. Since schools today are comprised of increasingly diverse student populations, there is a growing need to both understand unique global leadership styles and identify student leaders. This presentation explores how Wilbraham and Monson Academy develops global student leaders, specifically from China, Korea, and the United States. Examples include the Prefect program, student government, WMA Global Scholars, and the Global Student Union.
Presenters: Tiffany Norman, Dean of Residential Life and Student Programming; Gayle Hsiao, Director of the International Student Program; and Meg Lenihan Hutcheson, Dean of Curriculum, Wilbraham and Monson Academy, Ma

HELP! I need … a desk lamp, a cell phone, a host family & health insurance …
What international students really need is a comprehensive international program where all needs are met, from bedding to lost passports, from bank cards to special diets, from transportation to laundry instructions. This presentation will focus on Kents Hill School’s international program, which includes a student ambassador program, an international orientation, an ESL lunch table, a Go Global! Club, and a dedicated team of advisors focused on international students. Religious issues, food issues, parent and consultant issues, and college counseling hints will also be included.
Presenters: Anne Richardson, Director of the International and ESL Programs; and Michael Brackett, Assoc. Director International Program, Kents Hill School, ME

Key Cross Cultural Factors to Ensure International Student Retention
International students in U.S. boarding schools face multifaceted challenges—academic, cultural, and social. And schools can find it difficult to meaningfully incorporate students from abroad into the fabric of student life. But schools can ensure a joint successful experience for their international and American students. School Choice International, a leading global educational consultancy, will share research identifying key cross-cultural differences in educational customs and curricula that contribute to miscommunication, and also will present best practices to help school officials achieve a rich global program.
Presenters: Timothy Dwyer, Chief Operating Officer, School Choice International, NY; Laura Brace, Research Associate, School Choice International, NY

King's Academy Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) - The little program that could...
In 2006, the founding members of King's Academy created a summer program that they hoped would strengthen the educational fabric of Jordan and ensure that high quality education was made available to Jordanians of all strata of society. Today, this program is thriving. From enrolling students into the Academy and international universities, to introducing financial aid to Jordan, to recruiting native English speaking teachers, to educating people about the Middle East, SEP changes lives. Learn how one small summer program transforms their community.
Presenter: Tiffany Norman, Founding member of SEP, Curriculum and Residential Director, King's Academy, Madaba

Lessons from International Schools in Europe and Asia
The presentation examines what US boarding schools can learn from international schools in Europe and Asia. This year I am living in Geneva, visiting international schools, and surveying current literature on global education. My primary questions at each school are: “how do you define and implement a globally-minded education?” and “how do create a productive and caring community with students from many different cultures from all over the world?” I will share what I have learned from schools that have the mission of international education.
Presenter: George Macomber, Assistant Head of School/Dean of Faculty, Holderness School, NH

Living and Understanding
WMA created a model orientation program for faculty and new international students. Educators trained in western traditions learn to bridge the gap when faced with a blended classroom of domestic and international students, particularly from eastern countries, who bring divergent cultural expectations. Can we really presume these international students will assimilate seamlessly? The answer is 'no.' The presentation explains how we moved beyond cultural clashes to an environment of shared understanding through complementary faculty and student workshops about values clarification, teaching styles, and classroom expectations.
Presenters: Gayle Hsiao, Director, International Student Program; Meg Lenihan Hutcheson, Dean of Curriculum; and Dr. Kathleen Gorski, Science Department, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, MA

Tiger Nation: Creating a Cohesive International Campus
One of the challenges of a diverse international student body is creating an environment that fosters true integration and cohesion on the campus. At Wasatch Academy we strive to create a “Tiger Nation” - an identity that any student, from any nation can identify with and be a part of. This workshop will focus on aspects of academic, residential and extra curricular programs that help create a school identity, a close-knit community and sense of belonging in a diverse student population.
Presenters: Chris Hawk, Assistant Head of School for Programs and Services; Ty Kennedy, Dean of Residential Life; and Amie Mondragon, Assistant Dean of Residential Life/ Centennial Dorm Parent, Wasatch Academy, Ut