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2025 Academic Leaders Conference

Attracting and Retaining Faculty & Concept Classroom Learning Spaces

Monday, November 3, 2025

Attracting and retaining outstanding faculty while creating innovative learning environments are two of the most pressing opportunities in independent schools today. In this two-part session, Dr. Casey Bell, Ed.D., ISM Consultant, will share research-driven insights on what makes teachers stay, what drives them to leave, and how schools can foster cultures of belonging through thoughtful support systems, scheduling, and professional growth opportunities.

Dr. Michelle Klosterman from Forsyth Country Day School will then bring the vision of the Concept Classroom to life, showcasing how flexible, student-centered design—enhanced by intentional furnishings, technology, and wellness-focused features—creates engaging spaces for teaching and learning. Participants will leave with practical strategies to strengthen faculty culture and a firsthand look at how environment and design can energize both teachers and students.

Many thanks to our event supporter:

 

Registration Options

Credits Price
NCAIS Member Registration
6.00 (CEU) $195.00
Guest Registration
6.00 (CEU) $245.00

Holiday Inn Express

6330 Jessie Lane
Clemmons, North Carolina 27012
(336) 766-9922

This hotel is approximately 6 miles and 14 minutes from Forsyth Country Day School.
There is no official block reserved, this is the recommended hotel.  The room rate is around $120/per night. 

Academic Leaders by Meghan Hilleboe

Presenters

Dr. Michelle Klosterman, PhD, Assistant Head of School

Dr. Michelle Klosterman is a dedicated educator who believes in the power of student-centered learning. As the Assistant Head of School at Forsyth Country Day School, she oversees a wide range of programs that support student growth, including curriculum development, wellness and belonging, innovation and technology, library services, college counseling, and special education. With over 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Klosterman has a proven ability to create engaging learning environments that inspire curiosity and foster critical thinking. Her strong academic background in curriculum, special education, and biomedical engineering allows her to bring innovative approaches to the classroom and empower students to reach their full potential.

Dr. Casey Bell, ISM Consultant 

Casey first joined ISM as an adjunct faculty member for Advancement Academy, Summer Institute, and school-year workshops in 2019. She became a full-time Admission and Enrollment Management Consultant in 2023. She specializes in marketing communications, enrollment management, scheduling, and organizational structures within schools. 
In her role at ISM, Casey does the following.
Consults schools in areas such as admission, marketing and communications, scheduling, and faculty culture.
Leads workshops and webinars in the areas of her expertise.
Leads sessions and is a mentor at the Advancement Academy, an annual premier professional development conference from ISM for School heads, board members, and development, enrollment management, and marketing communications professionals.

Casey most recently served as the Director of Enrollment Management at All Saints’ Episcopal School in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior, she served as the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management at Spartanburg Day School in South Carolina.

Sahil Bhargava, Co-Founder, SchedulerX

Sahil spent four years at Toddle helping private schools use technology more effectively. That’s where he learned how to build simple, powerful tools that school leaders actually enjoy using. He’s always been passionate about education—and when he saw how broken scheduling was, he knew it was the right problem to solve.

Kristen Duval, Co-Founder, SchedulerX

Kristen brings over 15 years of experience in K–12 education technology. She spent 12 years at Blackbaud and the past three as an independent consultant helping schools solve complex scheduling challenges. With more than 10,000 hours spent building and analyzing schedules, she’s seen hundreds—if not thousands—of them. ScheduleX is the product she always wanted to exist. 

For More Information:

Meghan Hilleboe
Meghan Hilleboe
North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (704)461-1812x4