2018 Winter Institute

The 13th Annual Independent Schools Experiential Education Network (ISEEN) Institute will be held January 16-19, 2018 hosted by St. Michaels University School (SMUS) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The theme of this year's Institute is "Walking with Elders." Through this theme we will connect to concepts of mentorship, fostering wisdom in our students, and meaningful and effective reflection. We also acknowledge and pay homage to First Nations Peoples around the world and in the Pacific Northwest whose history and presence will influence our experience.

All participants will experience the following:

  • Hands-on interactive learning of place-based education concepts and delivery, along with tangible takeaways.
  • Extensive learning by doing while exploring SMUS' fully experiential Grade Ten program, alongside students and faculty both on campus and in the city of Victoria.
  • Guided and thoughtful opportunities for reflection connected to learning and application of that learning to your school or program.
  • Model Programs and Practices: Participants will have the opportunity to sit down in small groups with fellow attendees who will briefly share an experiential lesson, practice, program or tool from their school. This will be in a "speed-dating" format in order to maximize the opportunity to collect new ideas.
  • Opportunities to immerse in conversation around various "areas of interest" (outdoor/adventure education, global education, service learning, sustainability, student leadership, and school administration ) and make deep connections with like-minded educators and discuss topics relevant to each area.
  • Extended time for informal networking through longer break periods, dynamic activities, and group dinners.
  • Opportunities to engage in meaningful pre and post institute workshops and activities.

Optional Pre-Institute Workshops & Activities: The Institute will formally commence at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16. Earlier that day we will be offering the following

  1. Taking Ex Ed from Theory to Practice at your School (Charlie Noyes, Hotchkiss School), 8:00-11:00 a.m. Cost: $75
  2. The Leadership Action Lab: Experiments in Leadership Education (John Harnetiaux, Catlin Gabel School), 8:00-11:00 a.m. Cost: $75
  3. Guided Walking Tour: Victoria’s Story (John Adams, local historian), 9:30-11 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m. Cost: $15
  4. Whale & Wildlife Boat Tour (Eagle Wing Tours), 12-3 p.m. Cost: $75
  5. Welcome & Orientation for all First Timers to ISEEN (ISEEN Board of Directors), 3:30-4:30 p.m. No charge

Optional Post-Institute Activities: The Institute will formally conclude at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 19. For those staying the night we are offering the following

  1. Curling (Victoria Curling Club), 2-3 p.m. Cost: $12
  2. Tea at the Empress (Fairmont Empress Hotel), 3:30 p.m. Cost: $75
  3. Craft Beer Food Pair Extravaganza (West Coast Brewery Tours), 6-9 p.m. Cost: $50

Institute Notes:

  • The ISEEN Institute will be limited to 120 participants to maintain the intimacy of discussion.
  • The Institute will formally commence at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16 and conclude at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 19.
    • Please know that we value your participation at the ISEEN Institute, and we feel it is critical for participants to arrive on time and leave on time. Arriving late or leaving early not only diminishes the quality of your experience, but also the shared experience of your peers. If you know that you cannot manage the full schedule, please consider joining us at a future institute.  

Registration Fees:

  • Early-Bird Registration (until October 15): $800
  • Regular Registration (after October 16): $950
    • Registration fee is inclusive of all workshops, snacks, lunches (Wednesday, Thursday) and dinners (Tuesday & Thursday).
      • Additional costs include accommodation at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort ($130 CDN per night), optional pre & post institute workshops and activities, optional dinners on Wednesday & Friday nights, and airport transfers to/from the hotel.

Registration Notes:

  • ISEEN members will be granted a one-month priority registration window (until July 12). Only ISEEN members will be permitted to register during this window. General registration will open on July 13. To learn more about becoming an ISEEN member and the benefits connected to membership 
  • Schools (including member schools) will be permitted to register a total of three participants up until October 15 (and the conclusion of the early-bird rate). This is to allow more schools to attend the Institute. Should spaces still be available after October 16, member schools will receive a two-week priority window to register unlimited additional attendees. Should spots remain after this period, they will be opened to non-members.
  • For non-school attendees: Because space at the Institute is so limited, and we consistently have a wait list of independent school educators hoping to attend, we need to favor the participation of those best representing the unique working environments and challenges of independent schools. To that end, the space available for non-school registrants is limited to five. We will be asking those interested to respond to a series of questions to help us identify the best suited attendees (who will then be provided the required access code to register). To apply for consideration for one of these five spots please click here. Acceptances will be made on a rolling basis.
  • To apply for a scholarship to attend the ISEEN Institute please click here to review the details and fill out the scholarship application by September 15. All applicants will be notified of decisions by September 30.
  • If you are completing this form on BEHALF of an attendee, it would be very helpful if you could have them with you, during registration, to ensure that their information and agenda choices are accurately registered. If this is impossible, please make sure to save the login information/password you use, as the attendee will likely need to go through the various agenda selections to ensure their desired choices are made. Ideally, please have the actual attendee complete their own registration to aid in this.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.