ISCA - Collaborative 2022 Schedule

The Collaborative will include around 40 workshops during the 12 day period, including nine (9) Featured Speakers and over 30 counselor led workshops!

The exact schedule can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Featured Speakers

REnee Jain, founder and Chief Storyteller of GoZen!

Session: Transforming Anxiety into Courage, Confidence and Resilience

Renee Jain is the founder and Chief Storyteller of GoZen! She has been recognized as a pioneer in marrying technology and child psychology in a unique approach that nurtures the hearts and minds of kids. Through her writing, product invention and development, masterclasses for parents, and children’s advocacy, she works to build the emotional intelligence of kids. Originally a tech entrepreneur who suffered with her own anxiety, Renee founded GoZen! to help a new generation of kids, parents and therapists. Renee earned her Master’s degree in Positive Psychology — the scientific study of optimal human functioning — from the University of Pennsylvania and is the NYT bestselling co-author of Superpowered: Transform Anxiety into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience.

Emily Meadows, PhD, LGBTQ+ Consultant for international schools

Session: Addressing Common Myths around LGBTQ+ Equity & Belonging Work in International Schools

Dr. Emily Meadows (she/her) is an LGBTQ+ consultant and published author specializing in LGBTQ+ equity and belonging for international schools. Emily provides educational trainings, personalized consultation, and policy reviews relevant to LGBTQ+ matters in education. Emily cultivates an environment that is non-judgmental and engaging for her clients, while taking an intersectional approach that addresses both the why and the how of safety and inclusion so that educators become confident and competent supporting LGBTQ+ students. Emily works with her clients both in person and across virtual platforms.

In addition to her doctoral degree, Emily holds master’s degrees in both Sexual Health and Counseling, and has worked as an international school counselor for over a decade. She researches, publishes, and trains school communities on equitable policy and practice, while also teaching for the LGBT Health Policy & Practice graduate program at George Washington University.

Emily is a Council of International Schools (CIS) affiliated consultant and has developed inclusion standards, referenda, and trainings for professional organizations such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), The Fulbright Commission, the Association for International Educators and Leaders of Color (AIELOC), the Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE), the International School Counselor Association (ISCA), and the American Psychological Association (APA). Having spent more than half of her life in international schools, Emily specializes in culturally-relevant solutions to promote equity and inclusion worldwide.

DOUG WALKER, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST and Chief Programs Director at Mercy Family Center in the USA

Session: Leading in a Time of Crisis: Supporting Mental Wellness in Self and Others

Dr. Doug Walker has been in practice as a Clinical Psychologist for the past 25 years. He began working with international school and university communities in 2006. He provides training and consultation to schools and universities that wish to improve their communities' mental health and well-being. He translates his decades of treating children, adolescents, and adults in his psychology practice into the culture, policies, and procedures that support mental health issues in educational settings.

BROOKLYN RANEY and KIm Siwiec, founders of one trusted adult

Session: Active Advisory: Growing Connection and Community through Activity, Reflection and Fun

Brooklyn Raney is an experienced teacher, coach, administrator, and summer camp director. In her free time, she loves to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, and travel. Nothing, however, makes her happier than working with youth. She is the founder and lead trainer of One Trusted Adult, and of Generation Change, a nonprofit that seeks to embolden youth to be empathetic and compassionate change makers through cross-generational mentorship. Brooklyn grew up in Ontario, Canada, earned her undergraduate degree at Colgate University followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Theater from NYU, and is currently pursuing an EdD at the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Moultonborough, New Hampshire with her husband, son, and two dogs - Tuukka and Larry Bird.

Kim Siwiec is a School Counselor with experience supporting Elementary, Middle and High School students around the world. She has worked with youth in the UAE, The Cayman Islands, Malaysia, and the US and currently calls Bermuda “home”. Kim earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Communications at the University of Denver and her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at the Michigan School of Psychology. Kim joined the team at One Trusted Adult and is thrilled to be here, connecting with and learning from “her people”- the amazing ISCA counselors!

KELLI HOLM, SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND FOUNDER OF BOLDENBRAVE

Session: Strengthening Your School's Social-Emotional Foundations: Enhanced Practice for Communication Skills, Emotional Regulation, Child Protection and Sense of Community

Kelli has been in international education for 20 years in Europe, Asia and Africa. Before becoming a counselor. She was a classroom teacher for well over a decade, and PYP coordinator. Her counseling practice has been informed by her experience as a teacher and she brings a well-rounded perspective to all her work, as someone who has worked in many countries and in varied capacities. Kelli is the founder of BOLDENBRAVE an organization that offers training and practical strategies to help the social emotional development of young people.

TINA QUICK, AUTHOR & FOUNDER OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY TRANSITIONS

Session: Belonging in Transition

Tina Quick is an international speaker, cross-cultural trainer, and author of “The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition” and “Survive and Thrive: The International Student’s Guide to Succeeding in the U.S.” She founded International Family Transitions (IFT), a comprehensive service that specialized in serving the needs of globally mobile students and their families. She has worked closely with international schools, colleges, and universities around the world.

BARRY LEE CUMMINGS, FOUNDER OF BEAT THE CYBERBULLY

Session: The Digital Dilemma: What you need to know as carers for children and young people

Having worked for over a decade in digital communications, Barry naturally stay on top of developments and trends in the media landscape and what they mean for the consumer. He realised, however, that parents in the Middle East and globally are struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of technology, constantly emerging social networking platforms, especially when it comes to keeping their children safer in the online space. Those who do not work in the digital field can find it especially hard to understand how online and mobile misuse is a growing problem. These platforms can potentially have a profound effect on our children, young people and society as a whole. Beat The Cyberbully aims to help parents with practical tips and strategies to help keep their children safer in the digital environment.

He felt it my obligation to help bridge this gap in any way I could and support those of us parents who might perceive social media as a black whole their kids are getting lost in. Check out his app: https://btcb.cobabble.ae

ELLEN MAHONEY, SEA CHANGE MENTORING

Session: The Power of Connection: Improving advisory and mentoring programs

Ellen Mahoney, M. Ed, is an alumna of international schools and the founder of Sea Change Mentoring. She serves as a Council of International Schools (CIS) Affiliated Consultant and is a frequent contributor to CIS’s wellbeing work. Ellen is certified in mentoring supervision by Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Work. In her previous role as a director at the national nonprofit, iMentor, she built the policies and procedures for all of its mentor management functions. Ellen has contributed to major youth-mentoring and international school publications, including the award-winning research study, "Surveying the Landscape: Common Practices, Challenges and Opportunities in International School Transitions-Care."

ELAINE LITTLE, FOUNDER OF STORY MATTERS

Session: Accessing the Power of Story: A path toward deeper connection

Elaine Little is a social entrepreneur and founder of Story Matters. Her award-winning work utilizes the power of people's story to heal, celebrate and communicate dignity and value. She works through photography, video, speaking, and training and has documented the lives of young people in more than 60 countries -- from villages across Africa to refugee camps in the Middle East to factories in Southeast Asia. Most recently her work in Baltimore, Maryland has been transformative for young women survivors of trafficking. She was part of the team that developed Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescence -- an SEL program now used by schools in more than 90 countries. Her work has been featured by many organizations including UNICEF, Financial Times and the International Youth Foundation.