Keynote Address & Discussion with Tony Wagner

Renowned author Tony Wagner will speak to the urgent need for innovation in education drawing from his latest book Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in an Age of Distraction. He will explore the transformative power of experiential learning and challenge educators to align their personal and institutional stories with this critical moment of change. Participants will arrive with their burning questions and be invited to articulate their own call to innovation—reflecting on what compels their schools to evolve and better serve their students. The session includes a fireside chat, open Q&A, and time for reflection and dialogue to inspire bold, purpose-driven action.

North Star Workshop

This workshop guides school leaders through a backwards design approach to align their programs with a clear and compelling Portrait of a Learner rooted in their school's guiding principles, their mission, vision, and values. Through reflective workbook exercises and small group collaboration, participants evaluate current practices, identify opportunities for transformation, and confront where programs fall short in fostering authentic, empowered learning. The session challenges educators to reimagine both assessment and experience design—moving from transactional models to those grounded in curiosity, community, and purpose. Leaders are invited to envision a bold, untethered version of their ideal school, then reflect on how current programs align or diverge from that vision.

From Theory to Practice: Models of Centered Experiential Education

This workshop offers participants a practical, detail-rich exploration of how to move experiential education to the core of school programs through five key best practices. Each session prioritizes actionable strategies over theory, with facilitators sharing specific examples and tools before opening the floor to participant-driven discussion. Topics include rigorous experiential academics, out-of-classroom environments, and strategies for building community buy-in through faculty leadership and student agency. These sessions equip participants with the granular insights they need to inform their personalized action plans.

DAY THREE

Leading with Strength: Unleashing Your Potential for Impact with Mason Hults of Gallup

In this dynamic workshop led by Mason Hults of Gallup, participants begin by exploring their CliftonStrengths leadership profiles through interactive activities that shift focus from deficits to the power of strengths-based leadership. Through a series of engaging discussions and real-world scenarios, attendees move through the stages of Name it, Claim it, Aim it—building awareness of their own leadership styles and learning how to leverage their strengths to lead change. The session lifts up diverse voices and emphasizes the importance of collaboration, self-awareness, and strategic application in evolving experiential education. Through introspective exercises and group dialogue, attendees uncover their unique strengths and learn how to harness them for maximum impact. This workshop also lays the groundwork for team planning by addressing our individual challenges and examining key shifts in the modern workplace.

Building Teams That Thrive: Catalyzing Culture and Collaboration with Derek Kanerek of Catlin Gabel School

This workshop empowers participants with strategies to build high-functioning, change-making teams by cultivating a strong, intentional organizational culture rooted in experiential education. Through an asset-focused lens, it emphasizes collaboration, trust, and possibility over deficit-based thinking. Pairing fast paced, concise, intense dialogues and workbook reflections, participants explore six foundational cultures—revision, resilience, trust, vulnerability, feedback, and possibility—and commit to concrete practices for embedding these into their teams. The session strikes a balance between the theoretical and the tactical, helping educators become culture leaders within their schools.

DAY FOUR 

Catalyst for Change: Leading Purpose Driven Change

This is an interactive workshop for school leaders exploring what it takes to move through meaningful institutional change. Using the metaphor of chemistry, participants will consider what conditions make transformation possible, what needs to be released or introduced to spark growth, and how to manage the pace of change. The session includes reflection, discussion of real-world scenarios, and an introduction to a variety of change management models, helping leaders clarify their approach and identify key ingredients for moving their school forward.

Catalyzing Momentum: Crafting Mission Aligned Action Plans

This culminating workshop guides participants through the creation of a personalized action plan using insights gathered throughout the institute—from their call to innovation and signals of integrated experiential education to team culture and change management strategies. Through reflective workbook prompts, participants will craft a clear vision statement, define indicators of success, and imagine what meaningful integration will look and feel like at their school. They’ll map their journey in 3–5 stages, identifying actionable steps for each phase and clarifying the support they need from their teams, cohort, and themselves. The session empowers leaders to leave with a grounded, mission-aligned plan ready to implement experiential education in their whole school.

Bringing it Home: Cohort Building and Transference Planning

This closing session invites participants to consolidate their insights into a cohesive transference plan they can bring back to their schools. Each leader will present their action plan within their cohort using a structured tuning protocol, ensuring they receive thoughtful feedback, support, and fresh perspectives. The emphasis is on clarity, continuity, and cohesion—helping participants refine their ideas and strengthen their commitment. This session serves as a launchpad for translating the institute’s momentum into meaningful, mission-aligned change at home.