2026 NEASC Leadership Conference: Full Schedule

8:30am EST

Pre-conference Registration

Monday November 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EST

Foyer

NEASC staff will be available at the Welcome/Registration desk throughout the active hours of the conference. Stop by for assistance and to say hello!IMPORTANT:Remember to download the Sched app and connect to the #NEASC2026 event to use the agenda and networking tools. Make sure to set your profile to "Public" so you can interact with other attendees and turn on announcements so you...
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Monday November 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

9:30am EST

A Collective Vision for Student Success: Creation, Implementation, and Assessment of your Vision of a Learner

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

Join educational leaders and NEASC staff as they share their journeys to create a Vision of a Learner to articulate their school’s learning goals for their students.Learn how schools across New England have used this guiding document to align curriculum, bring staff together around shared philosophy, and assess student success. Presenters and NEASC staff will share examples of successful...
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Speakers

Alyson Geary

Director of Accreditation and School Improvement, Public Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Carl Johnson

Associate Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, Commission on Public Education, NEASC

Carl joined NEASC in 2023 after two decades serving as an educator and administrator in Connecticut schools. Carl began his career as a social studies teacher at Farmington High School before becoming student activities director in 2013. He then served as assistant principal and principal... Read More →

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

9:30am EST

Commission on Independent Schools Chair/Asst. Chair Training

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

Prepare to take on a leadership role on a NEASC Visiting Team through this focused training for school leaders. Ideal for future Chairs and Assistant Chairs, the session provides a clear, comprehensive grounding in the accreditation process of the Commission on Independent Schools.Through hands on activities and practical discussion, participants will gain the knowledge and perspective needed to...
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Speakers

Beth Hamilton

Senior Associate Director, NEASC

Beth helps guide member schools through the NEASC Accreditation process and partners with them to create cultures of innovation, belonging, and improvement.

Beth joined the NEASC staff in 2016, bringing 35 years of experience in independent, public, and international schools in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Ohio, Brazil, and China. She was the Founding Lower School Head at the Wooster School in Danbury, CT and served as an elementary school... Read More →

Carrie Wilson

Associate Director, NEASC

Carrie helps guide member schools through the NEASC Accreditation process and partners with them to create cultures of innovation, belonging, and improvement.

Having most recently served as the Head of School for All Saints Catholic Academy in Morrisville, Vermont, Carrie brings 25 years of school service as a classroom educator, administrator, and as a mentor for several Diocesan principals to her role at NEASC. She developed a depth of... Read More →

Edie Traina

Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, Independent Schools, NEASC

As director, Edie leads a robust team of accreditation professionals dedicated to supporting independent schools in adapting to the changing needs in education.

Prior to joining NEASC in 2024, Edie served as the Assistant Head of School for Faculty and Academics at the Taft School in Watertown, CT. While at Taft, she was responsible for leading daily school operations as well as strategic planning, policy review and coordination, and recruiting... Read More →

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

9:30am EST

Commission on International Education Lead Visitor Training

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

NEASC is offering Lead Visitor Training for experienced international school visitors who we believe have the potential to excel as leaders of accreditation teams. This one day workshop is for individuals who will be new to the role of NEASC ACE lead visitor, and for those who have been lead visitors, but would like to refresh their skills.A profile of a successful Lead Visitor includes: school...
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Speakers

Darlene Fisher

International Accreditation Leader, NEASC

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

9:30am EST

Connecting Research to Practice: Transforming Systems Serving Multilingual Learners

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

How can schools and districts best serve increasingly diverse student populations? How can leaders design systems that leverage multilingualism and support multilingual learner success? This interactive preconference will build shared understanding of how leaders can connect research to practice and build collective efficacy in serving multilingual learners and their families. Using a systems...
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Speakers

Jon Nordmeyer

School Network Director, Multilingual Learning Research Center

Carrie Parker

Quantitative & Applied Research, Multilingual Learning Research Center

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

9:30am EST

Next Generation Curriculum Design for Transformative Learning

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

This interactive workshop brings together three essential dimensions of transformational learning: designing future-ready curriculum, developing meaningful assessment systems, and creating aligned learner and teacher profiles that reflect a school’s vision for high-quality learning. Grounded in the NEASC ACE Learning Principles, a Framework for High-Quality Learning, and emerging global...
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Speakers

Diane Ullman

International Accreditation Leader, NEASC (NEw England Association of Schools and Colleges)

https://www.neasc.org/about/our-team/diane-ullman

Sharyn Skrtic

International Accrediation Leader, NEASC

Prior to joining NEASC as an International Accreditation Leader, Sharyn served as a peer visitor on NEASC Accreditation teams in Europe and Asia. After moving into international school education in Europe in 2005, she has held teaching and senior leadership positions at international... Read More →

Kelly Lyman

Coordinator, Executive Leadership Program, University of Connecticut, NEAG School of Education

Kelly Lyman served as a school leader in Connecticut for nearly 30 years. During that time she focused on systemic improvement efforts designed to develop in students the knowledge, skills, and understandings necessary for success in a rapidly changing global environment. She... Read More →

Monday November 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EST

12:00pm EST

Lunch

Monday November 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST

TBA

Enjoy a buffet lunch with us before returning to your workshop session.

Monday November 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
TBA

Meal

4:00pm EST

Welcome Reception!

Monday November 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EST

TBA

All conference attendees are encouraged to attend.

Thank you to our reception sponsor ___________!

Monday November 16, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EST
TBA

Networking E9DAF5

7:30am EST

Breakfast

Tuesday November 17, 2026 7:30am - 9:00am EST

TBA

Good morning and welcome to Day 1 of the conference. Join us for a light breakfast and start your day in good company!

Tuesday November 17, 2026 7:30am - 9:00am EST
TBA

Meal

7:30am EST

Information/Registration Desk (available 7:30a-5p)

Tuesday November 17, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm EST

Foyer

Tuesday November 17, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

7:30am EST

Meet our 2026 exhibitors!

Tuesday November 17, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm EST

Foyer

Stop by to say hello to our exhibitors. View the complete exhibitor directory.

Tuesday November 17, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

9:00am EST

DAY 1 Opening - EdTalk

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:10am EST

Ballroom

Description to come

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:10am EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

9:10am EST

DAY 1 Opening - President's Welcome

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:10am - 9:20am EST

Welcome to NEASC2026

Speakers

Cameron Staples

President, CEO, NEASC

Cameron C. Staples, an attorney and former Connecticut State Representative, has been President/Chief Executive Officer at NEASC since 2011. Mr. Staples has a breadth of educational and legislative experience.

NEASC accredits over 1600 independent schools and public schools throughout New England as well as 500 international schools in over 85 countries. As President/CEO, Staples manages a staff of 50 employees and a volunteer base of nearly 8000 individuals. As the leader of the organization... Read More →

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:10am - 9:20am EST

Main Stage

9:20am EST

Keynote- Recentering What Matters: Listening to Student Voice

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:20am - 9:45am EST

Ballroom

Centering the voices of students and families to better understand the intersection of language, identity, and learning.

Speakers

Jon Nordmeyer

School Network Director, Multilingual Learning Research Center

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:20am - 9:45am EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

9:45am EST

Keynote 2

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:10am EST

Ballroom

Description to come

Tuesday November 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:10am EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

10:10am EST

Morning Recharge

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:10am - 10:20am EST

Ballroom

The morning session will end with a short, guided activity to regulate energy and attention, offering a structured pause to re-center and engage more fully in the rest of the day's programming. Thank you to ____________for providing this special session closer.

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:10am - 10:20am EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

10:20am EST

Coffee break, networking, exhibits

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:20am - 10:50am EST

Foyer

Join us for coffee, company, and conversation!

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:20am - 10:50am EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

10:50am EST

Session 1

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:50am - 11:50am EST

TBA

Description

Tuesday November 17, 2026 10:50am - 11:50am EST
TBA

Session

11:50am EST

Lunch - Networking and Conversation

Tuesday November 17, 2026 11:50am - 12:20pm EST

Ballroom

Tuesday November 17, 2026 11:50am - 12:20pm EST
Ballroom

Meal

12:20pm EST

Lunch continues with Student Performance, EdTalks, Awards

Tuesday November 17, 2026 12:20pm - 1:20pm EST

Ballroom

Continue lunch and join us for a musical performance by the ______________, followed by EdTalks with ________________for a discussion of important themes in school leadership. Finally, we will honor NEASC award recipients for 2026.

Tuesday November 17, 2026 12:20pm - 1:20pm EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

1:30pm EST

NEASC Commission Session - Independent Schools

Tuesday November 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EST

TBA

Join the staff of the NEASC Commission on Independent Schools for updates, Q&A, and conversation. We look forward to connecting with you in person!

Speakers

Beth Hamilton

Senior Associate Director, NEASC

Edie Traina

Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, Independent Schools, NEASC

Margaret Williamson

Accreditation Leader, NEASC

Margie has served in various roles with NEASC since the 1990s but most recently since 2019 as a Commissioner and since 2024 as Accreditation Leader. She retired from the Archdiocese of Hartford in 2023 after a 45-year career as teacher and administrator at the elementary school and... Read More →

Carrie Wilson

Associate Director, NEASC

Tuesday November 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EST
TBA

NEASC Commission Breakout

1:30pm EST

NEASC Commission Session - International Schools

Tuesday November 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EST

TBA

Join the staff of the NEASC Commission on International Education for updates, Q&A, and conversation. We look forward to connecting with you in person!

Speakers

Joseph Kotarski

Associate Director for Accreditation and School Improvement, Commission on International Education, NEASC

Drawn to NEASC because of his passion for school transformation, Joe joined the NEASC team in 2024 with over a decade of experience in the Middle East and North Africa where he served as Head of School and Director of Education. Prior to this Joe was an AP World History Teacher in... Read More →

Tuesday November 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EST
TBA

NEASC Commission Breakout

1:30pm EST

NEASC Commission Session - Public Schools

Tuesday November 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EST

TBA

Join the staff of the NEASC Commission on Public Schools for updates, Q&A, and conversation. We look forward to connecting with you in person!

Speakers

Alyson Geary

Director of Accreditation and School Improvement, Public Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Tuesday November 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EST
TBA

NEASC Commission Breakout

2:25pm EST

Session 2

Tuesday November 17, 2026 2:25pm - 3:25pm EST

TBA

Description

Tuesday November 17, 2026 2:25pm - 3:25pm EST
TBA

Session

3:25pm EST

Coffee break, networking, exhibits

Tuesday November 17, 2026 3:25pm - 4:00pm EST

Foyer

Tuesday November 17, 2026 3:25pm - 4:00pm EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

4:00pm EST

Session 3

Tuesday November 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST

TBA

Tuesday November 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
TBA

Session

5:00pm EST

Reception

Tuesday November 17, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm EST

Foyer

Join us for conversation and connection.
Appetizers and beverages will be served.
Entertainment will be provided.

Thank you to our reception sponsor _____!

Tuesday November 17, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm EST
Foyer

Networking E9DAF5

7:15am EST

Breakfast

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 8:15am EST

Foyer

Good morning and welcome to Day 2 of the conference. A buffet breakfast will be available to kick off your day.

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 8:15am EST
Foyer

Meal

7:15am EST

Women's Leadership Breakfast

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 8:15am EST

TBA

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 8:15am EST
TBA

Meal

7:15am EST

Information/Registration Desk (available 7:15a-1:30p)

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 1:30pm EST

Foyer

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 1:30pm EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

7:15am EST

Visit our exhibitors!

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 1:30pm EST

Foyer

Stop by to say hello to our conference exhibitors. View the complete exhibitor directory.

Wednesday November 18, 2026 7:15am - 1:30pm EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

8:15am EST

DAY 2 Opening - Morning Reset, EdTalk

Wednesday November 18, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am EST

Ballroom

Join us for an inspiring kickoff of Day 2 of the conference!

We start with Morning Reset. This breathwork and mindset activation will enhance cognitive readiness, reduce stress, and help participants enter the day with presence and intention. Thank you to ____________ for providing this special session opening.

EdTalk by ______________to follow.

Wednesday November 18, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

8:45am EST

DAY 2 Opening - Panel Discussion

Wednesday November 18, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am EST

Ballroom

This panel discussion will show school leaders how...

Wednesday November 18, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

9:30am EST

Coffee break, networking, exhibits

Wednesday November 18, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am EST

Foyer

Join us for coffee, company, and conversation!

Wednesday November 18, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am EST
Foyer

Break/Exhibits

10:00am EST

Session 4

Wednesday November 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST

TBA

Description

Wednesday November 18, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST
TBA

Session

11:10am EST

Session 5

Wednesday November 18, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST

TBA

Description

Wednesday November 18, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST
TBA

Session

12:10pm EST

Lunch + EdTalk

Wednesday November 18, 2026 12:10pm - 1:30pm EST

Ballroom

Join us for lunch and our closing sessions beginning with an EdTalk by __________

Wednesday November 18, 2026 12:10pm - 1:30pm EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

12:10pm EST

Lunch continues with Keynote

Wednesday November 18, 2026 12:10pm - 1:30pm EST

Ballroom

Description

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The NEASC leadership team will provide closing remarks.

Wednesday November 18, 2026 12:10pm - 1:30pm EST
Ballroom

Main Stage

1:30pm EST

Conference Concludes

Wednesday November 18, 2026 1:30pm - 1:45pm EST

TBA

Thank you for joining us! Safe travels...

Wednesday November 18, 2026 1:30pm - 1:45pm EST
TBA

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