Workshops

March 11, 2025

Registration Closed

 

In-Person @Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
 

Ready to inspire purpose and clarity in your students?

Join us for a dynamic one-day workshop specially crafted for educators working with students in grades 7-12. You’ll discover the power of Reflective Intelligence, an innovative framework designed to help students deeply reflect on who they are and the future they want to build. With these tools, you’ll guide them toward developing a purpose-driven mindset that prepares them to navigate high school and beyond with intention and confidence.

Participants will:

• Elevate engagement: Explore the root of today's student disengagement and learn actionable strategies to counter it
• Master reflective intelligence: Dive into a set of unique protocols to spark reflection and intentional decision-making in your students
• Implement immediately: Walk away with The Examina Starter Deck—a leading-edge, evidence-based reflection card game to use in classrooms and advisories

Join a community of change-makers. Space is limited!

For all grade 7-12 teachers, advisors, and counselors: 

• March 11, 2025
• 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (lunch provided)
• In-person at Wildwood School, Middle & Upper Campus
• $350 per participant (includes The Examina Starter Deck)

Cancellation Policy

Special Guest Facilitator: Tim Klein

Tim is the co-author of How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond. An award-winning educator and clinical therapist, Tim has dedicated his career to helping students—from marginalized backgrounds to mainstream schools—discover purpose and direction. His work has had a significant impact on schools across the U.S. and abroad. As a former Harvard teaching fellow and Boston College lecturer, Tim brings both academic expertise and real-world experience.

 

April 14-15, 2025
 

In-Person @Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
 

Looking to build or improve your advisory program?

This two-day session sets the standard in advisory program development workshops. Create a new program or re-tool your existing one. Design a program to fit your school—public, charter, or private—and a plan to succeed.

Participants will:

• Analyze current research on advisory practices and social-emotional learning (SEL)
• Generate targets for program success and criteria for evaluation
• Envision a program to foster each student's sense of purpose and belonging
• Gain and utilize versatile program development tools (with applications beyond Advisory)

For grades 5-12 advisory program leaders and development teams at all schools

• Two sessions available: November 18-19, 2024 or April 14-15, 2025
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
• In-person at Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
• $415 per participant (25% discount for public and charter schools

click to register

Special Offer! Join us for an additional half-day. Receive 30% off the registration price for Advisory is Essential: Meaningful DEIB Integration on April 16, 2024.

Cancellation Policy

Facilitator: Steve Barrett

Steve is Wildwood School's Director of Outreach with 30+ years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools. Advisory is one of Steve's professional passions and he has facilitated professional learning at schools and presented at conferences across the US and the world.

Different Dates for Middle School and Upper/High School Advisors
 

Looking to level up your advising?

This one-day session provides strategies for advisors to strengthen their practice and abilities to connect with students and serve their needs to develop a sense of purpose and belonging.

Participants will:

• Focus on applying current advisory research and best practices
• Participate in a mock advisory session and analyze its structure and content
• Practice advisory facilitation protocols to enhance their advising, increase student engagement, and embed social-emotional learning (SEL) into their advisories

Middle School-specific session (for advisors in grades 5-8): 

• April 7, 2025

Upper/High School-specific session (for advisors in grades 9-12):

• April 10, 2025

All sessions:

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
• In-person at Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
• $249 per participant (25% discount for public and charter schools)

click to register

Cancellation Policy

Facilitator: Steve Barrett

Steve is Wildwood School's Director of Outreach with 30+ years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools. Advisory is one of Steve's professional passions and he has facilitated professional learning at schools and presented at conferences across the US and the world.

April 16, 2025

In-Person @Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
 

Looking for authentic ways to deepen DEIB work at your school?

This half-day session provides insights on reframing your school’s advisory program to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) work. Assess your school’s current practice, gain new implementation strategies, and sample race-focused and social justice advisory lessons that foster student empathy and responsible citizenship.

Participants will:

• Engage in guided work to envision and plan ways to intentionally integrate DEIB work into advisory programming
• Utilize a diagnostic tool to evaluate their school’s current state of DEIB work
• Explore the integral role of DEIB work in Wildwood’s Middle & Upper School advisory program
• Connect with colleagues at other schools engaged in similar work

For grades 5-12 advisory program leaders and advisors, as well as DEIB directors and practitioners

• April 24, 2024
• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• In-person at Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
• $109 per participant (25% discount for public and charter schools)

click to register

Special Offer! Receive a 30% discount if you also register for our two-day workshop, Advisory is Essential: Program and Curriculum Development.

Cancellation Policy

Facilitator: Vanessa Stotland

Vanessa supports teaching, learning, and program logistics as Wildwood Middle & Upper School’s Faculty Services Coordinator. Over her nearly 20-year career, Vanessa has excelled in a variety of positions: an upper school literature teacher and advisor, as well as an administrator with expertise in curriculum development, program leadership, and assessment systems design.
 

Facilitator: Karen Dye

Karen is Wildwood's Director of Equity and Inclusion. She brings with her over 30 years of service in both independent schools and at the collegiate level. An established practitioner in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Karen calls upon her experiences in guiding DEIB initiatives, as well as admissions and college counseling, to serve the needs of all students and faculty.

Six Online Sessions February-May 2025
Registration Closed

Looking for an online version of our popular workshops for advisors?

This online workshop series is designed for educators seeking to deepen their skills and adopt strategies for effective advising. Through a focus on relationships, routines, community-building, and mentoring practices, participants will explore research-based strategies and actionable tools to create meaningful, purpose-driven advisory experiences.

What to Expect:

• Practical Strategies: Gain tools for building relationships, fostering purpose and belonging, and creating structured routines in advisory.
• Interactive Learning: Participate in engaging activities, including a mock advisory session, learning protocols, and collaborative discussions.
• Community Focus: Explore ways to create inclusive and purpose-driven communities for your advisees.

For all advisors in grades 5-12

• All sessions online (see dates below)
• 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time
• $249 per participant (25% discount for public and charter school)

Session Topics and Dates

• Session 1 (February 18): Fostering Relationships and Purpose
  Reflect on the influential adults who shaped our lives, and explore current research and strategies for building strong connections with your advisees while fostering a purpose-driven mindset.
• Session 2 (February 25): Effective Routines and Structures 
  Participate in a mock advisory session and discover the importance of predictable practices and routines in advisories for any grade level.
• Session 3 (March 18): What Good Mentoring Looks Like 
  Explore practical ways to mentor students by affirming, challenging, and advocating for them—while engaging in an advisory-ready discussion protocol.
• Session 4 (April 22): Fostering Belonging and Community
  Develop strategies to create a sense of belonging for each advisee while building a cohesive and supportive advisory community.
• Session 5 (April 29): The Power of Modeling
  Explore how to model four essential mastery behaviors for your advisees—leaning in, tackling challenges, persevering, and embracing failure—and unpack how these behaviors have shaped your own life.
• Session 6 (May 6): Crafting and Using Group Agreements
  Strengthen your skills in engaging student voices by exploring best practices for co-creating group agreements—an essential foundation for building strong and inclusive advisory communities.

Facilitator: Steve Barrett

Steve is Wildwood School's Director of Outreach with 30+ years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools. Advisory is one of Steve's professional passions and he has facilitated professional learning at schools and presented at conferences on advisory across the US and the world.

June 23-26, 2025

In-Person @Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
 

Looking to transform your DEIB goals into actionable change? 
 

Join us for a transformative four-day experience designed for educators at all levels of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. Whether you're just beginning or deeply engaged in these efforts, the Multicultural Leadership Institute (MLI) equips you with the tools, insights, and strategies to create authentically inclusive school communities.

At MLI, you'll reflect, plan, and find inspiration to:

• Advance personal and institutional DEIB goals.
• Build a shared vision for cultural and institutional change.
• Develop equitable practices that resonate across your school community.

What to Expect:

• Expert-Led Learning: Engage with nationally recognized guest presenters and facilitators.
• Dynamic Protocols: Experience responsive, research-based practices tailored to your context.
• Innovative DEIB Insights: Learn from Wildwood School's celebrated DEIB program.
• Strategic Planning: Leave with actionable plans for your personal growth and school initiatives.

Interactive Sessions Include:

• Anti-Racist Framework and Practices
• Racial Identity Development
• Gender Identity Inclusion
• Socioeconomic Diversity Strategies
• Policies and Planning
  ... and more.

With a deliberately small cohort size (limited to 35 participants, max five per school), the institute fosters meaningful connections, focused learning, and tangible outcomes.

Take this opportunity to deepen your commitment to creating a school environment where every member of your community feels valued and empowered.

Ideal learning opportunity for:

• DEIB coordinators
• School leaders
• Deans and curriculum directors
• Teachers and teacher leaders
• Board members and parents

For Grades K-12

• June 23-26, 2025
• $1,249 per person (3-5 participants from same school/organization)
• $1,449 per person (1-2 participants from same school/organization)
• In-person at Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus

click to register

Cancellation Policy

Institute Director: Karen Dye

Karen is Wildwood's Director of Equity and Inclusion. She brings with her over 30 years of dedicated service in both independent schools and at the collegiate level. An established DEIB practitioner, Karen calls upon her experiences in guiding DEIB initiatives, as well as admissions and college counseling, to serve the needs of all students and faculty.
 

Featured Facilitator: Alison Park

Alison is the founder and principal of Blink Consulting, LLC—an educational consultancy dedicated to critically rethinking diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since 2005, Alison has collaborated with over 100 NAIS schools, as well as public schools, universities, governmental, and other organizations to help create communities where children, youth, and adults can thrive. 

More featured facilitators coming soon!

May 29, 2025

In-Person @Wildwood School, Middle-Upper Campus

 

Are you ready to broaden your definition of rigor?

Throughout their middle and upper school years, every Wildwood student prepares and delivers reflective, year-end presentations on their intellectual and social-emotional learning to a panel of their teachers, family, and peers. Their goal: Make the case for why they're ready to move on to the next grade (or graduate).

Participants in this unique workshop will be special guests at Wildwood students’ end-of-year Gateway and Exhibition Presentations and will consider ideas to implement rigorous, reflective assessments at their schools. 

Participants will:

• Attend multiple student presentations
• Engage in Q & A with student presenters
• Analyze the elements and design of Wildwood's approach to student metacognition and reflection
• Identify ways to prototype and implement authentic student reflections at your school

For Grades 6-12

• May 29, 2025
• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided)
• In-person at Wildwood School, Middle & Upper Campus 
• $249 per participant (25% discount for Mastery Transcript Consortium member schools + all public and charter school participants)
• Click HERE to register

click to register

Cancellation Policy

Facilitator: Steve Barrett

Steve is Wildwood School's Director of Outreach with 30+ years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools. Advisory is one of Steve's professional passions and he has facilitated professional learning at schools and presented at conferences across the US and the world.

July 28 - August 1, 2025

In-Person @Wildwood School, Middle/Upper Campus
 

Ready to tap your peer coaching potential?

This five-day national training provides educators with research-based tools for developing a collaborative culture that fosters professional learning and raises student achievement. New Coaches Training offers an opportunity to master the fundamentals of CFG coaching by experiencing them firsthand, as part of a cohort of like-minded professionals from across the country.

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Be CFG coaches certified by The National School Reform Faculty
• Embrace adult learning in service of equitable student outcomes
• Develop and deepen facilitation skills
• Know how to “mine” texts for deeper learning
• Understand how to match protocols to particular examples of student and adult work
• Know how to give and receive productive feedback on professional practice
• Have a plan for launching CFGs at their school or district

For K-12 and University Educators

• In-person at Wildwood School (middle/upper campus)
• $999 per participant
• Registration includes a CFG Coaching Certificate and one-year coaches' membership with The National School Reform Faculty^® (NSRF) during which you'll have free access to all coaches' protocols on the NSRF website

click to register

Cancellation Policy

Certified National Facilitator: Deb Christenson

Deb is a history teacher at Wildwood's middle and upper campus. With over 40 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools, Deb has helped to start and sustain schools dedicated to authentic and engaged student learning. 

 

 

Certified National Facilitator: Steve Barrett

Steve is Wildwood School's Director of Outreach with 30+ years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools. Advisory is one of Steve's professional passions and he has facilitated professional learning at schools and presented at conferences across the US and the world.

Info and Registration Available Soon!

Want an inside look at the future of high school?

The Institutes at Wildwood School are three unique student-powered engines of project-based learning in Wildwood's Upper School (grades 9-12), created to reflect the school's broader commitment to highly-participatory student-centered learning. 

The Institutes provide Wildwood students with the opportunity to learn and apply knowledge and skills in three authentic contexts that realistically mirror work worlds that students may encounter as adults: STEM research and development, social leadership, and entrepreneurship.

In this half-day session participants will:

• Visit all three of Wildwood's student-led Institutes
• Learn from student Institute members and the adults who assist them
• Reconsider teachers' roles in student learning
• Consider applications for your own school's program

For All Educators and Accompanied Students In Grades 9-12

• Dates TBD (coming soon!)
• 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• In-person at Wildwood School (Middle/Upper Campus) 
• FREE session (Registration Required)

Host: Steve Barrett, Director of the Wildwood Outreach Center

Wildwood Institute for STEM Research and Development—Est. 2014
A working academic research lab contributing to active scientific and engineering communities.

Wildwood Institute for Social Leadership—Est. 2018
Research and consulting partner for LA-area schools and non-profits working to affect social change. 

Wildwood Institute for Entrepreneurship—Est. 2019
An incubator and collaborative design studio for student-launched start-ups. 

The Institutes at Wildwood School have been recognized for educational leadership by the E. E. Ford Foundation.

Registration Closed

 

Ready to enhance your students' engagement and unlock their potential to change the world?

This transformative hybrid workshop supports K-8 educators in integrating systems thinking into daily practice.

Systems thinking supercharges any classroom by revealing interconnections between concepts, content, and ideas, deepening learning and understanding. It empowers students to explore ethical, environmental, and global issues, fostering personal responsibility and social action.

For educators, it invigorates planning and practice, bringing greater joy to teaching and learning.

Systems Thinking 101 provides:

• Practical systems thinking tools for immediate classroom integration
• Strategies to enhance student learning and achievement
• Guided planning time to implement systems thinking year-round
• Collaborative opportunities to learn and share with fellow educators

For all K-8 educators Registration Closed

• Multi-day Hybrid Workshop
  • February 3-4, 2025: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Wildwood School, Elementary Campus
  • February 20, March 13, and April 10: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PT Online
• All lunches and snacks included for in-person days
• $575 per person for teams of 3 or more from the same school/institution
• $625 per person if registering 1-2 participants from the same school

Cancellation Policy

Facilitator: Judy Utvich

Judy has been a classroom teacher, building principal, and district-level director in the Los Angeles Unified School District over her nearly 40-year career in education. She became a systems thinking pioneer as a 4th grade co-teacher with Dr. Barbara Moreno at Open Charter School in Los Angeles and has been championing the pedagogy ever since, most recently as a systems thinking consultant and professional development facilitator.  

Facilitator: Sarah Simon

Sarah is the Assistant Director of Wildwood’s Elementary Campus where she coordinates K-5 curricula. In over 20 years at Wildwood, Sarah has taught Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades. As a 2nd grade teacher, Sarah brought systems thinking to Wildwood School through a partnership with systems thinking expert Dr. Barbara Moreno. She has facilitated teacher professional development in systems thinking for nearly ten years.

Facilitator: Steve Barrett

Steve is Wildwood School's Director of Outreach with 30+ years' experience as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools. A National Facilitator with the National School Reform Faculty, Steve has coached educators in systems thinking practices at schools in the US and around the world. 

Cohort 1: February 6 & February 24 (all in-person)

Cohort 2: March 4 & March 20 (in-person and online)

@Wildwood School, Elementary Campus

 

**Special offer for public school registrants (see below)**
 

Ready to leverage metacognition for deeper student learning?

Metacognition—thinking about thinking—is already embedded in your teaching through modeling, scaffolding, feedback, and reflection. But how can you refine these practices to better serve your students?

In this workshop, you’ll explore the science behind metacognition and learn practical strategies to increase student success, foster a growth mindset, and enhance autonomy in your classroom.

Participants will:

• Explore the underlying principles of metacognitive practices
• Refine and implement new strategies to support student learning
• Engage in collaborative idea-sharing and learning with fellow educators
• Leave inspired to apply these practices in their teaching the very next day

For all grade K-8 educators (choose either learning cohort): 

• Cohort 1:
  • February 6 / Main session / In-person / 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (lunch included)
  • February 24 / Follow-up / In-person / 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (lunch included)
• Cohort 2:
  • March 4 / Main session / In-person / 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (lunch included)
  • March 20 / Follow-up / Online / 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• In-person sessions at Wildwood School, Elementary Campus
• $275 per participant

click to register

Special Offer!

The first 10 public school educators to sign up will receive free registration and have substitute fees covered for their school (reimbursed up to $250 per participant per day)

Cancellation Policy

Facilitator: Melanie Boonstra

Melanie is a 5th grade English Language Arts teacher and Outreach Center Fellow at Wildwood, with an instructional background spanning elementary, middle, and high school. She specializes in developing metacognitive strategies with her students, a focus that also guides her doctoral studies in education. As an Outreach Center Fellow, Melanie is committed to creating innovative professional learning workshops that address emerging needs in education.

Cancellation Policy for All Workshops:

• Full refund or credit prior to 30 days out of workshop start date (45 days for MLI)
• 50% refund or credit after that up to two weeks out from the scheduled start date (between 44-30 days out for MLI)
• No refund or credit within two weeks of the training date (within 29 days for MLI)
• COVID-19 Provisions: Exceptions will be made for illness
• If we need to cancel a workshop for any reason, we'll provide notice and full refunds or offer credit for future workshops