Houston Blog
My blog from Houston, Texas. Updated most weeks, usually on Sundays.
True to my resolution to visit somewhere new every week in June and July, I attended the annual conference of ISAS in Santa Fe at the beginning of this week. ISAS is the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (http://www.isasw.org), and it is one of Awty’s two accreditation bodies (the other being the Council for International Schools, or CIS, http://www.cois.org).
Attendance at the annual conference is compulsory for Heads of ISAS member schools, but the experience was so positive that I think everyone would have wanted to attend even if it had been optional. The second (and final) day mainly comprised the business meeting of the organization – committee reports, financial reports, executive director’s report, standards committee report, membership report, and so on. It was important, but hardly the type of thing that makes compelling reading in a blog, so I’ll focus instead on the first day.
This was followed by a very impressive session facilitated by Frank Pisch (Chairman and CEO of The Compass Group, http://therightdirection.com/about/team/frank-pisch/) on the topic of “The Perfect Ask”. This session comprised an interactive, participatory workshop that explored tried and true strategies for successfully soliciting major gifts, including a discussion on the types of gifts that are most beneficial for schools. Using a linear approach to outline the process of asking for major gifts, Heads of Schools were provided with a checklist of solicitation considerations, from identification through stewardship and scheduling the meeting to closing the details of the gift.
She began by identifying Gender and Sexuality Diversity (GSD) as a broad construct that encompasses everything from “boy/girl colors” in kindergarten, to “coming out” in middle school, to the sexual behavior and values of adolescents in high school. Dr Bryan provided an expansive developmental paradigm to help Heads of Schools understand the range of gender and sexual identities, expressions, and roles that children and adolescents embody as they navigate the personal, social and academic world of school.
Then, using a framework that emphasized identity development and pedagogical mission, we spent a very informative and challenging afternoon exploring the language, concepts, and skills needed to engage with gender and sexuality in the PreK-12 setting. Our discussions were given focus by a series of video clips covering such diverse areas as gender role stereotypes, sissies and tomboys, the sexualization of girls and women, sexuality, sexuality diversity, using the word ‘gay’ to tease and bully and harass, sexuality diversity and religion, and gender diversity. As you might imagine with a diverse group of Heads of Independent School Heads from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Louisiana and Oklahoma, the discussion arising from this session was animated and robust.
I would be giving the wrong impression if I suggested that this has been a week of sightseeing. Far from it, although I did fit a lot into my half day, having woken up before dawn and having missed breakfast to get out on the road. However, it was worth it - my half-day day of sightseeing was a very refreshing distraction from other pressures and a rare opportunity to engage in my passion as a geographer to explore new places with a camera in my hand. It is a passion I am looking forward to continuing next weekend.
The packing took a couple of days, but I know it will be worth it once everything is set up in the new building (to be known as The Levant Foundation Building). We obtained temporary possession of the building this week (meaning we can occupy it but we can’t conduct classes as yet – not a huge restriction during the sumemr break!). A few senior administrators have already moved into their new offices, and I am hoping to make the move early next week.
Our grounds and maintenance staff are very busy at the moment with all the moving of offices and the dismantling of the old portable buildings, but my fingers are crossed that my turn to move will come soon! As you can see in the photo below, I am looking longingly northwards towards that new building that I know will do so much to improve the quality of our students’ education for many years to come.
The ISAS conference in Santa Fe
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Just before the ISAS conference in Santa Fe, I drove to Taos Pueblo, a remarkable place that fully justifies its UN listing as a “World Heritage Site”.