The NAIS office will be closed Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, January 1, for Winter Break. We will reopen at 9:00 AM ET on Thursday, January 2.
In the Thrive Skills Studio, build and refine your skills while learning from experts. The Skills Studio sessions will take place in the newly designed Career Center within The Quad during workshop blocks throughout the conference.
Skills Studio Sessions and Schedule
Smart Steps: Financial Freedom for Educators
Thursday, February 27, 11:15 AM–12:30 PM (Workshop Block A)
Feel overwhelmed when managing your finances? You're not alone! Join this session designed specifically for educators to master the "financial order of operations"—a simple, step-by-step approach to making smart money decisions. Learn key steps to building financial security, from budgeting and emergency funds to debt management, investing, and retirement planning. Through interactive activities, real-world scenarios, and guided practice, you’ll apply these principles and walk away with practical skills. Whether you’re just starting out on your financial journey or looking to refine your strategy, you'll get the confidence and tools to make informed money moves that align with your financial goals.
Presenter: Brian Li, Providence Day School (NC)
Tell the World What You Already Know: I'm Ready for the Job!
Thursday, February 27, 1:30–2:45 PM (Workshop Block B)
Interviewing is crucial to any leadership job search. With work histories readily available online and the use of artificial intelligence to create documents, résumés and cover letters are no longer quite as important. By contrast, the interview process remains incredibly important for job applicants—it's the first data point guaranteed to be authentic and unscripted. In this session, get essential tips and techniques for job interviewing. You'll practice telling your story and receive in-the-moment feedback. You'll leave with insights on how to improve the way you frame yourself, your body of work, and most importantly your ability to do the job.
Presenter: Gabriel Lucas, 12M Recruiting
Building Capacity Through Breathwork
Thursday, February 27, 3:15–4:30 PM (Workshop Block C)
This session will help anyone looking for long-term strategies to better manage anxiety, especially those in school leadership positions who engage in difficult conversations, decision overload, and work/life balance struggles. You'll learn breath techniques to reduce anxiety in the moment, and, more powerfully, to increase your overall capacity to reduce and deal with anxiety.
Presenter: Michael Riera, Brentwood School (CA)
Appreciative Reflection: Tools for Building a Values-Based Culture
Friday, February 28, 11:15 AM–12:30 PM (Workshop Block D)
Appreciative reflection is about more than just noticing what we’ve done—it’s about understanding how our actions shape who we are, why our accomplishments matter, and how the people around us support our success. It helps us widen our lens and use our insights to help us choose actions that reflect our values. In this session, explore three types of appreciative reflection: recognizing our work, our growth, and one another. After learning these practices by trying them out yourself, you'll learn how to use appreciative reflection to foster a school culture grounded in shared values and meaningful action.
Presenter: Lauren Porosoff, author and educator
The Storytelling Leader
Friday, February 28, 1:30–2:45 PM (Workshop Block E)
Story is the language that cuts through the noise. It engages instantly. It’s a “human to human” technology. And it creates powerful moments of connection around your most urgent work. You and your team should be telling stories. Join this highly experiential, engaging, and fun leadership development session for finding, developing, and telling your most impactful stories. You'l learn how to create engagement and belief in your work.
Presenter: Michael McRay, writer and storytelling trainer