Leadership+Conference

The conference took place at Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey in mid-April, 2010. There were 30 participants from independent schools around the country. It was presented by the Center for Spirtual and Ethical Education or CSEE of which Ransom Everglades is a member. There were five presenters in two days. The focus was on creating or further developing school leadership programs for students, faculty and parents. The speakers were Dr. Tom Monaco, retired Upper School Head of Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio; David Streight, Director of CSEE; Dr. Karen Rezach, Head of Middle School, Kent Place School; Steve Fletcher, Chaplain of St. Michael's University School in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and Mike Pardee, Director of Character Education, The Kinkaid School, Houston, Texas. Each of the speakers from schools shared the leadership programs they put in place or currently are directing. They each presented programs that work well for them through the use of advisory programs, Honor Councils, Student Government organizations, clubs, athletics, and various student-led iniatives. They further shared how they train the students, faculty, and even parents in the leadership values and culture of their respective schools. There were many shared traits and characteristics from the presenters, but the most valuable service from then was the time they took to discuss and process with the participants what works and doesn't work in leadership. They assisted each of us to reflect upon our school missions and purpose in educating for ethical/moral values and developing those traits in faculty and parents. They stressed the importance of systematic, community-wide leadership programs that center on students providing much of the direction and activities to make the systems successful. I also picked up valuable resources and the possibiltiy of one or more of the presenters coming to RE to do student, faculty aor parent workshops. The network at CSEE is extensive with many web sites, books, suggestions and connections to member schools that are willing to share any and all of their expertise and experiences. It was most worthwhile. I am completing a highlight report for the Head of School and will suggest the adoption of some of the programs I learned about during the conference.