June 22 - June 25, 2009

Program Information

 Summer Institute Participants: Click here to view ILS PowerPoints (NAIS member password required)

In this period of economic uncertainty, there has never been a better time to develop and deepen your environmental sustainability commitment. The Summer Institute for Leadership in Sustainability (ILS) is an intensive, how-to oriented program that focuses on the concepts, planning, and practice of sustainability at independent schools. The institute will provide opportunities to learn about everything from how sustainable development is envisioned around the world, to what sustainability means for the curriculum, to how to build it into operational practice and save money over time.

ILS is based on two key working assumptions: that a viable future for humanity depends on overcoming extraordinary environmental, social, and economic challenges; and that independent schools have a significant leadership role to play in creating positive change -- by teaching, engaging students, and serving as institutional examples of best practice. The Institute provides a venue for instruction, dialogue, and support while also encouraging participants to work together to develop practical action plans and strategies on how to take their schools to the next step on the environmental sustainability continuum.

The Institute is designed for trustees, heads, faculty, business and facilities officers, and other staff who are either new to or moderately experienced in building a culture of sustainability at their schools. It is especially beneficial for teams of two or more who are -- or would like to be -- in a leadership role advancing sustainability at their institutions. The Institute also welcomes individual school representatives to participate. ILS combines several learning approaches, including presentations, elective and hands-on sessions, discussion, and informal networking opportunities.

Topics

The Institute will cover a broad range of sustainability issues, including:

• Climate Change and Independent Schools;
• Assessing Sustainability on Campus: Building Green;
• Sustainability in the Curriculum;
• Going Green and Saving Green;
• Sustainable Transportation;
• Waste Reduction and Recycling;
• Sustainable Food Services; and
• Communicating Sustainability.

Goals and Outcomes

• Develop a practical sustainability action plan;
• Engage in critical thinking and learning about sustainability;
• Learn from experts and colleagues about core sustainability issues, resources, and strategies;
• Become inspired and a stronger advocate for sustainability; and
• Build a personal library of sustainability how-to resources.

Date and Time

Participants should arrive by 2:00 pm on Monday, June 22. The Institute will end by noon on Thursday, June 25.

Pre-ILS Podcast
"Education for Sustainability: Responding to Our 21st Century Challenges" (19:58)

An interview by ILS Chair Wynn Calder with Chuck Hopkins, UNESCO Chair Reorienting Teacher Education to Address Sustainability and UN University Chair for Education for Sustainability Development, York University, Toronto

In this interview, Chuck Hopkins explores the roots and meaning of education for sustainable development (or sustainability) beginning with the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.  Today, countries all over the world are asking how education can better serve our societal needs and challenges.  How can we prepare our students for the world they're going to inherit?  But for every country, the scope and degree of environmental, social and economic challenges are unique.  In the U.S., says Chuck, it makes sense to begin with campus greening and retrofitting.  The next step, however, is to address teaching and learning.  "How do we imbed sustainability in the main disciplines," he asks, and begin to change the culture of our schools more fundamentally.  Among other things, Chuck points to the "strengths model," in which teachers are invited to use their special expertise to engage in sustainability issues creatively.  In the work of NAIS schools, he sees hope and opportunity.

Schedule at a Glance

To access a copy of the agenda, please click here.

Speakers

Faculty

• Wynn Calder, ILS chair; director, University Leaders for a Sustainable Future; principal, Sustainable Schools, LLC (DC)
• Barb Egan, adjunct faculty; vice president for finance and administration, Woodward Academy (GA)
• Becca Leslie, environmental science teacher, sustainability coordinator, Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA)
• Craig Westcott, director, Samson Environmental Center, and curriculum coordinator, Darrow School (NY)

Presenters

• Peggy Barlett, professor of anthropology, Emory University (GA)
• Jon Isham, Luce Professor of International Environmental Economics, Middlebury College (VT)
• Julie Newman, director, Yale Office of Sustainability, Yale University (CT)
• Monica Parker, Consultant, Triad Consulting (MA)

• John Turenne, president and founder, Sustainable Food Systems (CT)

Staff

• Jefferson Burnett; vice president for government and community relations, NAIS (DC)
• Tina Wood; director of team administration and institute logistics, NAIS (DC)

Lodging/Travel

Lodging

The Institute will be hosted by Woodward Academy (GA), a K-12 day school in suburban Atlanta with LEED certified buildings, geothermal energy fields, and an institutional commitment to environmental sustainability. We have chosen Woodward not only for its sustainability focus, but because of its proximity to the Atlanta airport — providing a unique combination of campus quietude and ultra-convenience resulting in a lowered carbon footprint for participants traveling to the Institute.

ILS is a nonresidential program, offering participants an opportunity to manage their own accommodations and accommodation expenses. The Atlanta airport area provides an excellent range of hotels and motels. NAIS encourages participants to consider The Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport Hotel, which will serve as the meeting point for the daily Institute shuttle to Woodward Academy. Renting a car will not be necessary as hotels provide ground transportation to and from the airport.

Pricing and Registration

Pricing

Individual from an NAIS member/school:

Early Bird: $1,400 (before May 15, 2009)
Standard: $1,600 (before May 26, 2009)

Individual from a nonmember school:

Early Bird: $1,820 (before May 15, 2009)
Standard: $2,080 (before May 26, 2009)

Contact Information
For more information, please contact Tina Wood at (202) 973-9762 or wood@nais.org.