Sessions

Elevate 2026 begins with a powerful look ahead. Join Scott Spethman, FACTS President, and Jeremy Penner, Director of Product Strategy, as they unveil the next chapter of FACTS by introducing FACTS Intelligence, our unified vision for connecting school operations, data, and decision-making in one seamless ecosystem. For nearly four decades, FACTS has partnered with schools to simplify complexity. Now, we’re building on that foundation with a clearer, more connected future, where enrollment, student information, tuition and financial aid, communication, and reporting don’t live in silos, but work together to give school leaders real insight and confidence. At FACTS, heart has always guided our work. Now, intelligence powers it.

If you were given the name Amelia Earhart, would you learn to fly? Speaker Amelia Rose Earhart was faced with this exact question… and chose to go all in, completing her private, instrument and commercial flight training with the goal of someday flying all the way around the world- just like the incredible American hero she was named after- Amelia Mary Earhart. In 2014, she completed her goal- circumnavigating the globe along a 28,000 nautical mile route- all in a single-engine aircraft. This modern-day Amelia Earhart says the most important lesson she learned during her journey is that in order to truly succeed, and also grow along the way, we need to learn to love life’s turbulence- by staying agile amidst the storms that inevitably pop up along each of our paths. In her recently published book, Learn to Love the Turbulence: “Flight Lessons” on becoming the pilot in command of your own journey, Amelia shares ways to think like a pilot to move through life with agility and confidence. Her story isn’t all smooth sailing. In fact, it’s going to be a bumpy flight, so keep your seatbelts fastened!

The playbook for school recruitment has changed—and today’s families expect more than information; they expect an experience. In this energizing keynote, Rick Newberry, Ph.D., unveils The 8 New Rules of Recruitment—a framework for how independent and faith-based schools can attract, inspire, and enroll right-fit families in a changing world. Drawing on insights from hundreds of schools nationwide, Rick will show how authentic relationships, purposeful storytelling, and intentional design are transforming the enrollment journey. Along the way, he’ll explore how emerging tools such as AI and data analytics can support these human-centered strategies, helping schools personalize communication, streamline processes, and build deeper connections. You’ll leave inspired and equipped to transform your admissions process from routine to remarkable, creating a family experience that connects emotionally, aligns with your mission, and drives enrollment growth.

Join Baton Rouge, Louisiana Principal Jared Lamb as he shares the story and philosophy behind being “The Principal with No Office.” Jared gave up his office and spends his days with a rolling cart, traveling through the halls of his school so he can make real connections with teachers. Through real-world experiences and practical insights, Jared explores how innovative leadership, visibility, and meaningful relationships can transform school culture and strengthen connections with students, staff, and families.

New to the world of admissions and need some professional development to get you grounded in your position? Learn what is best practice in each area of admissions from an Enrollment Management Pro. Gain an awareness and appreciation for the numerous ways you can customize your FACTS experience to supercharge your admission process. 

(For those who have navigated 2+ admissions seasons with FACTS.) Embrace the full capabilities of your A&E system. Comfortable navigating your A&E screens but ready to take it up a notch? We’ll provide a quick check-up and then prescribe the most helpful advanced features in Inquiry, Application and Enrollment. You’ll walk away empowered to utilize your resources to accomplish more in less time.  

Current users of Advanced Accounting are invited to join us for a Q&A session where you can learn from both an instructor and your peers. Gain a deeper understanding of your general ledger account mapping and FACTS reporting and return to your school with enhanced knowledge and confidence in managing your accounts. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your skills and connect with others!

This session is designed for new administrators using FACTS SIS. In this training you will learn how to navigate the FACTS SIS home page to locate your resources along with learning how to configure and manage your system's basic configurations such as: year and term, system defaults, grade levels and attendance including marking off school holidays. You will also learn how to manage your Family Portal configuration settings as well as review announcement and calendar event creation to best communicate with your families.

Ditch the paper forms and join us for an exciting session tailored for administrators, where you'll master the art of creating and managing web forms within the FACTS Family Portal. Discover how to empower parents, students, and staff members to effortlessly submit surveys, registrations, volunteer information, and more—all electronically. Plus, learn how to seamlessly save these submissions directly to the FACTS SIS database. Don't miss out on this opportunity to streamline your processes and enhance communication!

Get ready for an engaging and informative FACTS SIS training session designed for new administrators! In this session, you'll learn how to customize your database with defined lists, portfolio groups, and user-defined fields, as well as manage crucial student information such as behavior records, parent-teacher conference details, and student portfolios. We'll also cover effective communication strategies, including sending emails to families and managing their access in the Family Portal. Additionally, you'll gain essential skills in attendance management and learn how to run various reports using the Report Manager. This comprehensive training is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to efficiently navigate and utilize FACTS SIS.

Join us for an immersive pre-conference training session tailored to equip teachers and administrators with the foundational skills needed to efficiently manage classroom tasks using the SIS Classroom. This hands-on session will explore key tools and workflows, including attendance, lunch ordering, grading, and communicating with families aensuring you're prepared for a seamless start and smooth management of the school year.

In this session, we will explore various options for adding transactions to pending agreements and learn how to finalize these agreements according to your school's configured boarding method. We'll also discuss the critical role of roster management within FACTS Tuition Management. Key topics include: Family Experience Selecting a Plan, Navigating the Pending Dashboard, Transaction Application Methods, Payment Plan Customization, Finalization Deadlines, Pending Agreement Reports, Efficiencies & Best Practices, and available Resources.

Join us as we cover a range of important topics to help you manage payment plans effectively. We'll start with identifying the servicing location per product and exploring the various servicing options available. You'll learn the difference between transferring credits and transferring funds, as well as how to transfer credits between products and terms. We'll also discuss mass balance adjustments and best practices for terminating a payment plan. Finally, we'll provide you with valuable resources to support your ongoing efforts.

Get ready to unlock the full potential of Premier Billing with this engaging session designed for schools that are, or will be, Premier Integrated! Discover how to efficiently manage incidental charges, including options for Cafeteria, Child Care, General Charges, Course Fees, FACTS Cash Register, and Recurring Charges. Join us to master these features, streamline your billing processes, and make managing school finances a breeze!

Join us for an informative session designed for schools that are, or will be, Premier Integrated! Learn how to effectively use both FACTS SIS and FACTS Financial Management together to keep your roster clean and up-to-date. We'll share tips and tricks to optimize your FACTS system, show you how to enter and update demographic information and discuss best practices for managing split and complex family situations. Join us to master these tools and ensure smooth, efficient operations at your school!

Simplify school scheduling with this engaging seminar on K-8th grade scheduling in FACTS SIS. Learn to confidently navigate the scheduling tools and organize courses and classes with ease. You'll also discover practical techniques for managing group enrollments, helping you streamline your processes and support your school’s unique needs.

Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll get hands-on experience with schedule creation using the Auto Scheduler. We'll kick off with a quick review of the scheduling process, then dive into collaborative working time to help you build your schedule. To get the most out of this session, you'll need to know in advance how to create templates, build schedule patterns, and collect course requests from students. Make sure you come prepared with student course requests for the 2024 - 2025 school year for grades 9 - 12 already collected in the SIS. Let's create an amazing schedule together!

This session is designed for school accountants not currently using FACTS Advanced Accounting software. We will provide an opportunity to learn more about what features the software offers and the benefits it provides.

Staff burnout is not a weakness; it is a signal. In this dynamic and practical session, Pamela Furr and Dr. Manny Rodriguez introduce the NeuroAligned approach, equipping school leaders with neuroscience-informed strategies to regulate stress, rebuild emotional capacity, and create sustainable staff culture. Attendees will leave with actionable tools they can immediately implement to restore energy, strengthen leadership, and cultivate aligned, resilient campuses.

If "turn it off and turn it back on" is your only tech trick, you're in good company. Join a fellow teacher who has cracked the code on simple, stress-free ways to put AI to work, making lesson creation, platform use, grading, communication, and more so much easier, all without accidentally becoming the IT department. Navigating AI in education can feel overwhelming, especially for teachers who are unsure where to start. This session will break down the process with clarity and practicality. Participants will explore a curated selection of AI tools, each matched to the tasks it does best, including: instructional material development, differentiation, assessment creation, grading and feedback, standards support, parent communication, project-based learning (PBL) design, small-group instruction, image design, Through real examples and classroom-ready demonstrations, teachers will learn simple, manageable ways to weave AI into daily practice to save time, boost creativity, and support student learning.

This session explores the complex and rewarding dual role of the school leader who also maintains a classroom teaching commitment (e.g., instructional coach, department head, lead teacher). This role offers unique leverage to drive school-wide improvement, but it also presents significant challenges in balancing time, priorities, and roles. We will dive into: understanding the influence this dual role can have, prioritizing responsibilities, setting realistic expectations, and trusting and using your team.

This session will empower educators and administrators to use tests results from MAP, Woodcock-Johnson, ACT or various other standardized tests to develop a plan for student growth and improvement. Cognitive procedures targeted at overcoming specific deficiencies revealed in academic test results will be discussed. Cognitive training has been used in private and public schools all over the United States in the past few years. It is providing real change for students with everything from ADHD to reading deficiencies and many other common challenges in our classrooms. Partnering test results with teacher observations, we can empower students with tools that bring measurable help to the challenges they face as well as break compensatory habits they have formed. This is not just for the students that struggle but also for advanced students wanting to grow in academics and confidence. See before and after results of students who have gone through cognitive training and had life-changing improvements. Participate in hands-on activities and get proven strategies that will empower administrators and teachers alike to help students who struggle.

Strong foundational skills are the cornerstone of long-term student success, yet many educators struggle to balance academic rigor, engagement, and equitable learning supports. In this interactive session, Reginald Dixon draws from his book Dr. Dixon’s DIY Guide to the 1-2-3’s of a Child’s Educational Success – Book 1: Building the Foundation to share practical, classroom-ready strategies that strengthen teaching and learning across grade levels. Participants will explore a clear, actionable framework that supports foundational academic skills, student confidence, and instructional consistency. The session bridges theory and practice by offering real-world examples, reflection tools, and implementation strategies educators can immediately apply in their classrooms and schools. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to intentionally build learning foundations that support student growth, improve instructional outcomes, and align with schoolwide teaching and learning goals.

The expression of kindness, patience, and empathy by educators has a profound impact on student outcomes and classroom culture, serving as a powerful response to many of the challenges schools face today. This session equips educators with the strategies needed to leverage these essential qualities in their daily practice, positively impacting student growth, engagement, and overall school culture. Additionally, educators will discover effective communication techniques, such as active listening, so that they approach disciplinary issues and challenging conversations with students and colleagues in a way that prioritizes kindness, patience, and empathy in school culture. Throughout the session, participants will engage in hands-on activities, collaborative discussions, and self-reflection to support experiential learning. Educators will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply in their classrooms and schools, allowing them to support sustainable school improvement by strengthening culture through intentional action. Participants will be inspired to create schools where kindness, patience, and empathy drive both student success and professional fulfillment.

Many classrooms appear successful on the surface—students are compliant, assignments are completed, and routines are followed—yet true learning may still be missing. This session challenges educators to examine the critical difference between student compliance and authentic engagement and to intentionally shift instructional practices to promote deeper learning. Participants will explore definitions of compliance and engagement, examining indicators that distinguish surface-level participation from meaningful involvement. The session emphasizes that compliance is teacher-directed, while engagement is student-directed, rooted in curiosity, purpose, and ownership. Educators will reflect on why compliance alone does not guarantee learning and how engagement leads to deeper understanding, long-term retention, and personal growth. This session will identify common barriers to student engagement and introduce high-impact, classroom-ready strategies that educators can immediately implement. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of what authentic engagement looks like and practical tools to move students beyond “going through the motions” toward ownership, deep thinking, and meaningful learning.

This presentation will explore practical strategies for incorporating standards-based principles into traditional grading, offering methods to adjust the way grades are reported based on the standards to help teachers accurately report student learning, prioritize mastery of concepts, and provide more meaningful feedback on student progress. The purpose of grading should be to accurately report student learning based on clearly defined course standards. However, traditional methods of grading are typically influenced by non-cognitive factors, such as behavior and effort. While understanding these work-related behaviors is important, they often skew the perceptions of student success and are not good indicators of actual subject knowledge. To better align grading practices with student learning, there has been considerable discussion and research over the past few decades regarding standards-based grading (SBG). However, implementing SBG has presented numerous challenges for both educators and families due to the drastic changes in the way grades, under the standards-based framework, are collected and reported. Furthermore, implementing SBG with fidelity requires multiple years of refinement and professional development, making it a daunting initiative for any school. Yet, school leaders and teachers can still place an emphasis on standards and create grading practices that reflect student mastery by thoughtfully adjusting traditional grading methods and the grade book.

In today’s classrooms, educators and students face relentless demands—academic performance, digital distractions, and high-stakes transitions. These pressures often lead to stress and burnout, yet with the right tools, every challenge can be a growth opportunity. This session offers a practical framework for sustaining motivation, well-being, and results. Drawing from my experiences as a master educator, international chess coach, and marathon runner, I share strategies educators can use immediately. mall Habits, Big Impact: Build momentum through micro-habits. Resilience Through Challenge: Apply endurance principles to academic and personal growth. Chess as a Framework: Assess, plan, commit—teaching confident decision-making. Growth Mindset & Mental Health: Brain breaks, breathing, and reflection for focus and balance. Community Support: Leverage families, teachers, and peers to amplify success. Through storytelling and hands-on tools, I connect personal transformation to classroom realities. Attendees leave with a “Do Better Toolkit” of strategies and prompts to reframe challenges, build resilience, and foster thriving learning environments.

I love change! That may not sound typical—so many people dislike it so much that we now talk about “change fatigue.” But what if we reframed it? Instead of treating change as disruption, we can see it as a possibility. Instead of asking, “How do we survive this?” Let's ask, “How do we thrive because of it?” Change in education often comes through new curriculum, technology, or shifts in philosophy. Teachers and leaders understandably resist when reforms feel endless or unsupported. Resistance is not weakness; it reflects deep care for students and practices that work. But when resistance blocks all experimentation, growth stalls. Resilience is the key. With a growth mindset, educators can see challenges as opportunities to learn. Leaders play a vital role: listening to concerns, modeling adaptability, providing resources, and clarifying purpose. Students, too, should be partners in this process. Their voices matter, and seeing adults model resilience helps them build adaptability—one of the most important skills for the future. The most meaningful changes don’t have to be sweeping. They are often small, intentional steps that strengthen learning, equity, and engagement. The challenge is to choose one change to lean into this year. When resistance gives way to resilience, success may not come instantly, but learning always does. The real risk is not in trying something new, but in choosing to stay the same.

Based on the work of eminent researchers such as Dr. Gabor Maté, Dr. John J. Ratey, and others, this workshop reframes ADHD-related challenges through a lens  compassionate, and developmental approaches to teaching and learning. Participants walk away with: A richer understanding of how attentional challenges can emerge from relationships and environment—not simply genes, Practical relational tools to support individuals struggling with focus, regulation, or motivation, and Greater self-awareness and empathy as facilitators, leaders, or caregivers.

When students walk into our classrooms and onto our campuses, they bring more than notebooks and devices; they bring their hearts, hurts, and hopes.  Research and experience show that strong culture and meaningful relationships are not “extras,” but the very foundation of effective teaching and learning.  In this session, we’ll explore how intentional relationship-building builds student engagement, strengthens retention, and creates environments where both academic excellence and a positive character can flourish. Participants will leave with practical strategies for cultivating a classroom and school culture that prioritizes connection while maintaining high expectations in academics.  We’ll also discuss how leaders can equip teachers to balance rigor and care, using relational practices to reduce disruptions, increase motivation, and inspire student growth. Whether you are a teacher or administrator, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to build a culture that makes learning stick…and transforms both students and schools.

Today’s classrooms are shaped by high levels of stress and trauma. Students carry the weight of difficult experiences, and educators often face their own stress and burnout—frequently without enough support. When emotions run high, even strong instruction can break down. Don’t Trip Over Trauma: Building Resilience in the Classroom is a practical, research-informed session that helps educators respond with confidence. Instead of treating trauma-informed practice like a checklist, this session focuses on building resilience from the inside out—starting with self-awareness and emotional regulation. Participants will learn simple grounding strategies to manage stress, reduce reactive responses, and create emotionally safe, academically strong classrooms that support both student success and educator well-being.

A practical introduction to how endowments work and why they matter. This session breaks down the basics—what an endowment is, how it’s funded, how it grows, and how it provides long-term, sustainable support for an organization’s mission. Whether you’re new to endowments or looking for clarity, Endowment 101 equips you with the foundational knowledge to steward resources wisely and plan for lasting impact.

K–12 business offices are facing the burden of increasing complexities: multi-source revenue, enrollment volatility, tighter reporting expectations, and a growing need to interpret financial and academic data together. This session explores how more connected school and finance systems can elevate financial decision-making and strengthen long-term planning by enabling clearer visibility into resources, performance, and operational trends. Leaders will see how shared data between core student platforms and modern financial systems reduces fragmentation, improves confidence in reporting presented to boards, and supports better forecasting -- using the real-life FACTS and Sage Intacct integration as one example. The discussion focuses on practical ways integrated information can advance financial stewardship, strategic planning, and mission alignment for schools of all sizes.

This session on audit preparation will guide school leaders through the key steps to effectively prepare for and utilize an audit. Topics will include determining the appropriate level of audit service needed, understanding the purpose and scope of an audit, and leveraging audit findings for school improvement once the process is complete. Attendees will gain clarity on how audits can support their accreditation efforts and enhance operational efficiency.

This leadership-focused workshop provides Heads of School with a clear, high-level understanding of the emerging Federal Tax Credit Scholarship opportunity and its potential impact on schools. Designed to inform without overwhelming participants in policy details, the session emphasizes practical leadership decisions and immediate action steps.

Budgeting doesn’t have to live in complex spreadsheets. Neal Pike will share practical insights on how private K–12 schools can streamline budgeting processes, gain clearer financial visibility, and make more confident financial decisions.

There are five key ingredients for a successful capital campaign. Without these processes and procedures in place, it is very difficult to be successful in raising money as a school. Join this session to learn practical processes you can implement in your school to make sure you are ready for a strong capital growth campaign. This session is applicable for any senior school administrator, finance officer, development officer, or board member.

Leaders often have access to more data than ever, yet still struggle to gain clarity about what is actually driving performance. Financial reports feel disconnected from day-to-day operations, while non-financial metrics lack context for informed decision-making. This interactive session helps organizational leaders uncover unexpected insights by intentionally combining financial and non-financial metrics already at their fingertips. By pairing dollars with real-world drivers—such as students, programs, staffing, space, or engagement—participants learn how to move beyond static reports and toward metrics that spark clarity, alignment, and better decisions. Through practical examples and a guided worksheet, attendees will learn how simple “metric mashups” reveal efficiency, sustainability, and mission alignment. The result isn’t more reporting—it’s better conversations, clearer priorities, and increased confidence in how resources are being stewarded.

Culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the engine that drives strategy, productivity, and mission fulfillment in independent schools. While classroom innovations often get the spotlight, the business office is uniquely positioned to shape culture in meaningful, lasting ways. From operations and finance to HR and cross-campus collaboration, business officers influence trust, engagement and growth every day. In this session, we’ll show how business office leaders can move beyond transactional tasks to become catalysts for a positive, high-performance school culture. You’ll learn strategies to foster collaboration, build confidence across departments, and ensure that the systems, policies, and daily interactions under your office’s purview reinforce a vibrant, mission-aligned community.

In this hands-on seminar, Business Office professionals will learn how to effectively integrate their accounting software and FACTS to create a comprehensive 13-week cash forecast. Participants will be guided through the process of extracting essential financial data from FACTS and their financial systems to transform it into a structured XLS format that accurately projects cash flows for the upcoming quarter.

What if a federal tax credit program could help more families afford tuition—while strengthening your school’s financial future?

This session breaks down how the dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) can expand access for K–12 students and create new opportunities for revenue stability and growth. Designed for school leaders, advancement teams, board members, and SGOs, we’ll explore how early, strategic planning helps you responsibly structure tuition, increase scholarship support, and build a compliant, sustainable model for long-term success. This isn’t just policy—it’s a practical path to greater access and stronger financial health.

Word of mouth is consistently the most trusted and influential factor in a family’s school decision—yet most schools rely on it passively rather than strategically. In this session, you’ll learn the 9 key drivers that fuel word-of-mouth growth and how high-performing schools intentionally activate them to strengthen enrollment. Building on proven insights around parent satisfaction, retention, and community engagement, this workshop moves beyond the idea that “happy parents will talk.” You’ll explore how trust is built, how stories spread, and how schools can create the conditions that naturally lead families to become advocates. Participants will leave with a clear framework for developing a word-of-mouth enrollment strategy—one that aligns leadership, faculty, staff, and parents around a shared responsibility for growth. This session is designed for schools looking to move from accidental referrals to intentional, sustainable enrollment momentum.

The best school marketing is usually word-of-mouth marketing! But how often do schools systematically and intentionally identify their biggest fans, and then develop tangible ways to utilize those "promoters?" We'll discuss the importance of Net Promoter Score, explore very practical ways to put your promoters to "work," and dive into a feedback tool that can revolutionize your rapport with parents.

The term "value proposition" gets tossed around frequently in education circles, but most leaders aren't quite sure what they mean by it. Here’s a quick thought experiment: if you asked each member of your Leadership Team to write down your school’s value proposition, how similar would their answers be? For most schools, the responses would vary widely. And yet, the irony is that if we asked the same question at the private school across town, we might be surprised to find how similar our (convoluted) answers sound. In this session, we will: Walk through a concise three-part definition of a school’s Value Proposition, Discuss the importance of defining your Right-fit Family®, and Challenge you to think deeply about the value your school creates in each Age-and-Stage®. A clear and compelling value proposition is more than a marketing phrase. It’s a framework for strategic alignment in the pursuit of healthy enrollment. Please join us for a collaborative conversation designed to help you lead with clarity, conviction, and distinction.

Too often, schools focus on messaging to families without first examining what students are actually experiencing day to day. Yet it is students, through what they feel, say, and carry home, who shape parent perception, trust, and long-term enrollment decisions. This session explores how intentionally designed scholar experiences can become a school’s most powerful and sustainable storytelling tool. Participants will examine the everyday moments that influence belonging, pride, and connection, and learn how to design simple, repeatable experiences that students naturally talk about with their families. Rather than focusing on marketing tactics, this session centers on creativity, student voice, and emotional experience. Attendees will work through a guided framework to identify signature moments on their own campuses, clarify the feelings they want students to associate with their school, and map how those experiences support retention and enrollment. Participants will leave with a practical plan they can begin implementing immediately rooted in what students experience, not what schools say.

In today’s competitive educational landscape, schools must differentiate themselves not only through academics but also through the experiences that shape student life. Athletics and extracurricular programs are powerful tools to attract families, build community, and enhance school culture. This session explores how intentional investment in these programs can boost enrollment, retention, and student engagement while reinforcing mission and identity. Drawing from real-world examples in Catholic and independent schools, participants will learn how to align athletic and extracurricular programming with institutional goals, develop marketing strategies that highlight student involvement, and foster pride that permeates the entire school community. The session will provide practical approaches for building sustainable programs, engaging alumni and donors, and balancing excellence in both academics and activities.

In a world where technology is ever-present, schools can’t afford to leave families out of the digital conversation. This session explores how our school turned a required Parent Technology Night into a powerful platform for partnership, education, and culture-building. Learn how we use this annual event to do more than just review Responsible Use Policies, we engage families with real talk about digital habits, safety, and school expectations. From practical tips for managing devices at home to impactful presentations from law enforcement on the consequences of online behavior, this evening equips parents with tools and understanding. We’ll share how we frame this night as a support system, not a compliance meeting, and how it strengthens our school community. Attendees will walk away with a blueprint for creating an engaging, supportive, and mission-aligned tech night that empowers parents and positively shapes student behavior. Whether you're launching your first event or looking to revamp a tired format, this session will provide strategies, sample resources, and inspiration.

We all use FACTS for the basics: attendance, gradebooks, communications.  But what do you do when FACTS doesn't quite do what you need?  In this session we'll talk about ways we've made FACTS work for our unique situation, and get you thinking about ways you can customize at your school, such as: Create UDF to allow upload rather than manual entry; A million other UDF uses & granularity tricks; Customize your room number to include phone extension and teacher name; Descriptive section names; Appropriate admin access to see OTC meds for dispensing; Going paperless:  security & portfolio groups; Teach teachers to preview their grade reports PR/RC; Attendance codes to track and count various absence types; Family Portal announcements & links; Surveys versus Web Forms.

The expression of kindness, patience, and empathy by educators has a profound impact on student outcomes and classroom culture, serving as a powerful response to many of the challenges schools face today. This session equips educators with the strategies needed to leverage these essential qualities in their daily practice, positively impacting student growth, engagement, and overall school culture. Additionally, educators will discover effective communication techniques, such as active listening, so that they approach disciplinary issues and challenging conversations with students and colleagues in a way that prioritizes kindness, patience, and empathy in school culture. Throughout the session, participants will engage in hands-on activities, collaborative discussions, and self-reflection to support experiential learning. Educators will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply in their classrooms and schools, allowing them to support sustainable school improvement by strengthening culture through intentional action. Participants will be inspired to create schools where kindness, patience, and empathy drive both student success and professional fulfillment.

I love change! That may not sound typical—so many people dislike it so much that we now talk about “change fatigue.” But what if we reframed it? Instead of treating change as disruption, we can see it as a possibility. Instead of asking, “How do we survive this?” Let's ask, “How do we thrive because of it?” Change in education often comes through new curriculum, technology, or shifts in philosophy. Teachers and leaders understandably resist when reforms feel endless or unsupported. Resistance is not weakness; it reflects deep care for students and practices that work. But when resistance blocks all experimentation, growth stalls. Resilience is the key. With a growth mindset, educators can see challenges as opportunities to learn. Leaders play a vital role: listening to concerns, modeling adaptability, providing resources, and clarifying purpose. Students, too, should be partners in this process. Their voices matter, and seeing adults model resilience helps them build adaptability—one of the most important skills for the future. The most meaningful changes don’t have to be sweeping. They are often small, intentional steps that strengthen learning, equity, and engagement. The challenge is to choose one change to lean into this year. When resistance gives way to resilience, success may not come instantly, but learning always does. The real risk is not in trying something new, but in choosing to stay the same.

In today’s classrooms, educators and students face relentless demands—academic performance, digital distractions, and high-stakes transitions. These pressures often lead to stress and burnout, yet with the right tools, every challenge can be a growth opportunity. This session offers a practical framework for sustaining motivation, well-being, and results. Drawing from my experiences as a master educator, international chess coach, and marathon runner, I share strategies educators can use immediately. mall Habits, Big Impact: Build momentum through micro-habits. Resilience Through Challenge: Apply endurance principles to academic and personal growth. Chess as a Framework: Assess, plan, commit—teaching confident decision-making. Growth Mindset & Mental Health: Brain breaks, breathing, and reflection for focus and balance. Community Support: Leverage families, teachers, and peers to amplify success. Through storytelling and hands-on tools, I connect personal transformation to classroom realities. Attendees leave with a “Do Better Toolkit” of strategies and prompts to reframe challenges, build resilience, and foster thriving learning environments.

In today’s competitive educational landscape, schools must differentiate themselves not only through academics but also through the experiences that shape student life. Athletics and extracurricular programs are powerful tools to attract families, build community, and enhance school culture. This session explores how intentional investment in these programs can boost enrollment, retention, and student engagement while reinforcing mission and identity. Drawing from real-world examples in Catholic and independent schools, participants will learn how to align athletic and extracurricular programming with institutional goals, develop marketing strategies that highlight student involvement, and foster pride that permeates the entire school community. The session will provide practical approaches for building sustainable programs, engaging alumni and donors, and balancing excellence in both academics and activities.

Schools carry a responsibility that extends far beyond the classroom. Ensuring student safety and well-being now encompasses athletics, co-curricular programs, after-school activities, and residential life. At the same time, the evolving landscape of parent partnership has increased expectations for transparency and timely communication about the student experience. This session will explore practical strategies schools can use to strengthen their student life operations, improve communication, and proactively mitigate risk across campus environments. Drawing on the “Left of Bang” philosophy—identifying and addressing potential concerns before they escalate—we will discuss how thoughtful policies, processes, and supporting technology can help schools prepare for both everyday student support and critical incidents. While uncertainty is not new for schools, the way institutions prepare for it determines whether confusion or confidence guides decision-making in difficult moments. School leaders carry the responsibility of ensuring that students, staff, and families feel safe and supported, particularly during unexpected incidents or emergencies. Confidence in these moments comes from thoughtful preparation—clear processes, strong communication channels, and coordinated response plans that help teams act quickly and effectively. Participants will gain insights from real-world experiences working with more than 650 schools worldwide, highlighting common operational challenges and effective approaches schools have adopted to strengthen their student life management practices.

In today’s increasingly diverse educational landscape, schools are called not only to teach but to reflect, respect, and respond to the cultural richness of their students and communities. One Mission, Many Cultures: Building a School Where All Belong is an interactive session focused on how schools can stay rooted in a unified mission while embracing and celebrating the unique cultural identities that make up their communities. This session will guide participants in exploring what authentic inclusivity looks like, going beyond multicultural events or surface-level representation. It will examine how true inclusion can be woven into school policies, curriculum, communication, and everyday interactions. Through real-world examples, reflective activities, and collaborative planning, attendees will leave with practical strategies to build a school culture where every student and staff member feels seen, valued, empowered, and most importantly that they belong.

Although it seems elusive at times, we spend most of our lives searching for peace--at home and at work. While this may sound like an oxymoron amid the daily challenges school administrators face, finding serenity in leadership is a vital component of our authenticity as educators and is a major contributor to our pursuit of sustainable excellence. Serenity comes from within, and with the right encouragement and support, it can become an integral part of our narrative. In this session we will explore how to find greater joy as educators, including key disciplines that will contribute to long-term success.

The relationship between a faith-based school and its affiliated church can be both rewarding and challenging. This session examines how different governance structures—single or dual 501(c)(3)s—and denominational influences shape leadership effectiveness, communication, and collaboration. Participants will explore common tensions, practical solutions, and proven strategies to build stronger, healthier school–church partnerships. Attendees will leave with clear best practices and actionable steps to enhance governance and strengthen alignment.

Hiring a head of school is the single most important responsibility of a board. The search committee plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of an independent or faith-based school. Effective leadership drives a thriving school, and a well-executed search ensures the best candidate is chosen for the right fit. This session guides boards and search committees through proven best practices, offering a clear pathway in an often-complex process. Board members, school leaders, and potential heads exploring a transition will gain practical insights and actionable strategies to lead a successful search and secure the school’s future.

Leaders often have access to more data than ever, yet still struggle to gain clarity about what is actually driving performance. Financial reports feel disconnected from day-to-day operations, while non-financial metrics lack context for informed decision-making. This interactive session helps organizational leaders uncover unexpected insights by intentionally combining financial and non-financial metrics already at their fingertips. By pairing dollars with real-world drivers—such as students, programs, staffing, space, or engagement—participants learn how to move beyond static reports and toward metrics that spark clarity, alignment, and better decisions. Through practical examples and a guided worksheet, attendees will learn how simple “metric mashups” reveal efficiency, sustainability, and mission alignment. The result isn’t more reporting—it’s better conversations, clearer priorities, and increased confidence in how resources are being stewarded.

A focus on understanding and simplifying background checks in today’s workplace. How integration and automation save time, money, and labor costs, and how these benefits can apply to the FACTS SIS platform and your schools.

This leadership-focused workshop provides Heads of School with a clear, high-level understanding of the emerging Federal Tax Credit Scholarship opportunity and its potential impact on schools. Designed to inform without overwhelming participants in policy details, the session emphasizes practical leadership decisions and immediate action steps.

The term "value proposition" gets tossed around frequently in education circles, but most leaders aren't quite sure what they mean by it. Here’s a quick thought experiment: if you asked each member of your Leadership Team to write down your school’s value proposition, how similar would their answers be? For most schools, the responses would vary widely. And yet, the irony is that if we asked the same question at the private school across town, we might be surprised to find how similar our (convoluted) answers sound. In this session, we will: Walk through a concise three-part definition of a school’s Value Proposition, Discuss the importance of defining your Right-fit Family®, and Challenge you to think deeply about the value your school creates in each Age-and-Stage®. A clear and compelling value proposition is more than a marketing phrase. It’s a framework for strategic alignment in the pursuit of healthy enrollment. Please join us for a collaborative conversation designed to help you lead with clarity, conviction, and distinction.

Staff burnout is not a weakness; it is a signal. In this dynamic and practical session, Pamela Furr and Dr. Manny Rodriguez introduce the NeuroAligned approach, equipping school leaders with neuroscience-informed strategies to regulate stress, rebuild emotional capacity, and create sustainable staff culture. Attendees will leave with actionable tools they can immediately implement to restore energy, strengthen leadership, and cultivate aligned, resilient campuses.

A practical introduction to how endowments work and why they matter. This session breaks down the basics—what an endowment is, how it’s funded, how it grows, and how it provides long-term, sustainable support for an organization’s mission. Whether you’re new to endowments or looking for clarity, Endowment 101 equips you with the foundational knowledge to steward resources wisely and plan for lasting impact.

Today’s classrooms are shaped by high levels of stress and trauma. Students carry the weight of difficult experiences, and educators often face their own stress and burnout—frequently without enough support. When emotions run high, even strong instruction can break down. Don’t Trip Over Trauma: Building Resilience in the Classroom is a practical, research-informed session that helps educators respond with confidence. Instead of treating trauma-informed practice like a checklist, this session focuses on building resilience from the inside out—starting with self-awareness and emotional regulation. Participants will learn simple grounding strategies to manage stress, reduce reactive responses, and create emotionally safe, academically strong classrooms that support both student success and educator well-being.

What if a federal tax credit program could help more families afford tuition—while strengthening your school’s financial future?

This session breaks down how the dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) can expand access for K–12 students and create new opportunities for revenue stability and growth. Designed for school leaders, advancement teams, board members, and SGOs, we’ll explore how early, strategic planning helps you responsibly structure tuition, increase scholarship support, and build a compliant, sustainable model for long-term success. This isn’t just policy—it’s a practical path to greater access and stronger financial health.

We all use FACTS for the basics: attendance, gradebooks, communications.  But what do you do when FACTS doesn't quite do what you need?  In this session we'll talk about ways we've made FACTS work for our unique situation, and get you thinking about ways you can customize at your school, such as: Create UDF to allow upload rather than manual entry; A million other UDF uses & granularity tricks; Customize your room number to include phone extension and teacher name; Descriptive section names; Appropriate admin access to see OTC meds for dispensing; Going paperless:  security & portfolio groups; Teach teachers to preview their grade reports PR/RC; Attendance codes to track and count various absence types; Family Portal announcements & links; Surveys versus Web Forms.

Communicating with families, students, and staff is essential to any school, and the Communications tool in FACTS SIS helps you reach each audience from one connected place. Come hear about best practices, insights, and tips on how to effectively use this powerful platform to personalize mass emails, create effective distribution lists, utilize Communication Groups, and unleash the power of Parent Alert.

Dealing with separated families isn’t always easy, but it’s commonplace for most schools. This session will provide insight and direction for how to manage these sticky situations and ensure your FACTS databases – both SIS and Financial – reflect all households accurately and completely.

Schools collect a tremendous amount of data—but knowing which metrics actually matter is often the hardest part. This practical webinar is designed to help schools move beyond information overload and focus on a starter set of SIS metrics that support real, everyday decisions. Rather than trying to measure everything, we’ll show you how to identify the right metrics to start with, where they live in your SIS, and how to trust the data behind them.

With more than 500 generic reports available, the Report Manager feature can be one of the most useful – yet daunting – elements of the FACTS SIS database. This session will unpack some of the features of Report Manager and highlight a handful of reports our users say are their faves. We’ll also spend some time diving into the world of Create-A-Report, one of the most powerful features of the entire FACTS SIS.

You know some of the core features of the FACTS SIS database. And you are pretty familiar with how your school uses the FACTS SIS database. But this session will introduce you to features every school should be using – and why – to really maximize the benefit of the database for your colleagues, your parents, and your students. Learn about some of the lesser-known – but seriously impactful – areas of the FACTS SIS, including the Grid Edit feature, the Portfolio platform, User Defined fields, and Parent/Teacher Conference features.