The FCIS Annual Convention

I mentioned in a previous Ebytes that Shorecrest will be undergoing accreditation next year through the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS). FCIS promotes the highest standards for PK-12 education through its accreditation process, professional development programming, and advocacy efforts. This week, Shorecrest faculty, staff and administrators have benefited from the robust professional development opportunities offered at the annual FCIS Convention, as both presenters and as attendees.

 

Held for three days in November each year, the Convention rotates through different regions of Florida. This year the location is Orlando, and the host schools are the independent schools of the Tampa Bay region. I am a Co-Chair of the Convention, along with Dr. Jan Pullen, long-time Head at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton. Last year’s convention was held virtually; this year the Administrators’ Day was in person, with appropriate safety precautions in place. Friday’s Faculty Day, attended by all Shorecrest faculty, was conducted virtually. With 119 FCIS members schools registered, there are over 2,600 attendees, including approximately 155 exhibitor representatives from 74 different companies.

 

This year’s Convention theme focuses on Facing Forward: Leveraging Courage and Curiosity. We believe that looking ahead is critical to our schools’ success, and that the best way to approach the future is with courage, curiosity and compassion. The ability to imagine what the next version of independent schooling is critical to our individual and collective success as school leaders and educators. There are numerous tracks with sessions geared towards administrators with different roles and faculty members who teach a variety of ages and subject matters. And there are topics that cut across discipline and divisions, appealing to all.    

 

Shorecrest is well represented in the planning and implementation of this year’ Convention. In addition to my Co-Chair role, the Steering Committee includes five Shorecrest administrators: Dr. Anna Baralt, Jane Boarman, Kris Grant, Roderick Fludd and Lisa Wylie.

We are also delighted that seven Shorecrest faculty members were selected through a rigorous process to be presenters at the Faculty Day. Dr. Lizz Angello, Danielle Cameron, Roderick Fludd, Al Irwin, Sarah Palazzolo, Lisa Peck and Khana Rebman will offer sessions to FCIS attendees on topics that range from “Mental Health Matters: Using Play and Mindfulness in the Classroom” to the “411 on Creating a Robust Medical Science Program” and “Let’s Talk: A Discussion About Diversity.” We are proud to be able to promote Shorecrest through these professional development opportunities and appreciate the recognition that they bring to our faculty and our school. I will also be presenting as a part of a panel discussion on the topic of “How We Got Here and What It’s Like: Four FCIS Heads with Different Headship Experiences.” In addition to presenting, faculty and administrators will attend sessions throughout the Convention.

 

As educators, we are constantly learning and growing so that we can better serve our students and families. Professional development is one way to model being a lifelong learner. The FCIS Annual Convention has been a wonderful way to refresh and connect with other independent school educators across the state.  

All the best,

Nancy