9:00 am Welcome & Introductions

9:15 am Education in North Carolina
Stephanie Keaney, Director of Professional Development, NCAIS
Participants will be given an overview of the educational landscape in North Carolina along with developing a clear understanding of the culture and governance structure of independent schools.

9:45 am Knowing Yourself and Understanding Others: DISC Results & Interpretation
Linda Nelson, Executive Director, NCAIS
Participants in the NCAIS Institute will learn to better understand themselves and those around them in this DISC feedback session. Teachers will complete the 20-30 minute online assessment prior to the Institute and receive a complete report via email. During the session, we will deconstruct the report, helping participants gain a working knowledge of their behavioral and communication preferences. We’ll also provide practice opportunities to apply what you’ve learned. Self-awareness gained through DISC will help you acclimate successfully to your school environment and improve communication with students, parents, and colleagues.

10:45 am Brain Break

11:15 am Personal Reflection & Growth Mindset
Stephanie Keaney, Director of Professional Development, NCAIS

11:45 am Lunch Break

12:30 pm Effective Parent Communication: Handling Good News, Bad News, and Everything In Between
Tim Tinnesz, Head of School at St. Timothy’s School
Many teachers find parent communication to be one of the more daunting parts of the job. Together, we'll discuss a simple strategy for handling difficult conversations, see how most independent school parent conversations will be good/positive, and we'll review best practices and case studies on email, phone, and face-to-face communication.

1:30 pm Reflection & Next Steps
Stephanie Keaney, NCAIS

2:00 pm Adjourn