The Conference includes workshops for new Heads and new Chairs, notable Guest Speakers, separate sessions for Heads and Chairs, and the CAIS Annual General Meeting. Several other presentations and workshops take place, which vary each year. Learn more & register here.
Prepare for senior leadership roles in independent schools with our Leadership Institute. Learn More
Each year, we host webinars on national topics that are most relevant to our leaders. Access previously recorded webinars in CAIS Connect.
Read our Spring Newsletter
Anne-Marie speaks to moving forward with a new national PD model with the creation of one national conference. Watch the Video
Review the new CAIS Accreditation Guidelines that are being piloted this school year. We welcome your feedback!
Developing Leaders for Canada's Best Independent Schools
Dates: July 2 - 6, 2018
Location: St. Michaels University School, Victoria, BC
Application deadline: Monday, April 23. 2018
In 2000, a group of CAIS Heads had a vision that the national organization should develop talent, and they created a Leadership Institute (now affectionately known as the LI). The program includes a variety of modules that are specific to the unique nature of independent schools, and the facilitators are leaders in our community who ensure content is relevant and practical to school improvement. Over the years, this program has grown to include a variety of modules, and we are honoured to engage with over 100 participants each summer. The evidence of success is twofold:
In 2010, we heard from our graduates that they wanted to experience more CAIS leadership development. We also heard from our schools that there was a need for a targeted program for those administrators who were looking to take the next step in their careers. There had to be an application process and there had to be more experiential learning with impact on our schools. And thus, we launched the Next Step Program. We developed a two-year curriculum, hired three facilitators and five mentors, and limited the program to 12 participants. Our program included two summers and a one-year change project that was supported by mentors.
In 2015, we commissioned Susan Wright to conduct research to better understand the changing leadership landscape. “Leadership in our schools: A Research Project” highlights the following:
Clearly, there is going to be incredible turnover, and all members of the leadership team are going to need to be more conversant with all aspects of school change.
In 2016, after two rounds of the program, we offer an enhanced opportunity with five facilitators. We surveyed participants; we researched leadership models and competencies; we listened to the advice of Heads, Boards, Leaders, and Search Consultants; and we met as a team to really understand how to best prepare future leaders.
A sincere thank you to the facilitators that are developing our future leaders and shaping the future of education:
In the fall of 2017, we will have an update for candidates interested in enrolling in the fourth cohort program. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Chambers at: echambers@cais.ca.
"I think there are four areas where Next Steps adds great value. The first is an overview of the various aspects that independent school administrators face. As many emerging leaders come from the academic world, an introduction to finance, advancement, HR, operations, risk management, etc can be enlightening. The second, are insights into the broader topic of effective leadership in changing times. The third was the opportunity to dig into a meaningful change project, with the support of mentors and peers. Having a support team as we work through the highs and lows was incredibly valuable. The last area, is the Next Steps community itself. The program accepts a diverse group of individuals with varying formal leadership positions who all share a passion for education, a commitment to personal group and a belief in the work of independent schools in Canada. We shared our professional successes and failures, pushed each other to dig a bit deeper and even enjoyed a little bread and wine together.
Finally a word on our mentors/instructors... CAIS pulled together a wonderfully diverse group of facilitators, who brought passion and knowledge from both within the independent world and beyond. These facilitators clearly cared about our growth journey and went above and beyond to support us for the two years - what a team! "
Neil Piller, St. George’s School, Vancouver
“I found the most valuable take away were the relationships built, particularly during year 2 of the program, over the final summer session. I found the group opened up during that second summer session, and members were willing to be vulnerable. It taught me how much having a network of peers – even a few key people – who have shared experiences and are willing to talk about their successes and total mess ups. It made leadership feel a lot less lonely. To top it off, I now have genuine relationships within this network that I can rely on – more so than any amount of “surface” networking at a conference or professional networking event could ever provide. That has most definitely been the greatest takeaway from the Next Step programme."
Katrina Sampson, Appleby College
2017-2018 Next Step Cohort - Summer LI - King's-Edgehill School
2015-2016 Next Step Cohort - Summer LI - St. Andrew's College
2013-2014 Next Step Cohort - Summer LI - Ridley College
2011-2012 Next Step Cohort - Summer LI - Shawnigan Lake School
In order to give participants time to prepare for the Next Steps Program, the application deadline is Monday, April 23, 2018. Successful candidates will be contacted the week of April 23. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Don Kawasoe at dkawasoe@cais.ca.