2023 BFS Summer Institutes
Power Practice Privilege: Whiteness and the Path to Social Justice
June 21 – 23
Join us this summer for one of our debut cohorts—Power Practice Privilege: Whiteness and the Path to Social Justice. In this Institute, we will come together to engage in a curriculum designed to explore, examine, and employ the complexities of what it means to be a white educator in our communities. Together, we will unpack the realities, dynamics, and uses of our white privilege. We will develop a set of best practices to honor, uphold, and further our mission as equity and social educators within our organizations. Join us on a journey toward expanding upon our strengths as partners, community builders, and co-conspirators.
This critical program is for faculty, staff, and newly appointed administrators who serve schools or non-profits, identify as white, and are looking to examine their understanding and practice. Please arrive with an open mind and an open heart, ready to discuss ideas, share tools, and dive deep into practice.
LGBTQIA+ Aspiring Leaders Institute
June 28-30
What makes a leader good—or even great? That is what the LGBTQIA+ Aspiring Leaders Institute is all about. As leaders, do we possess qualities that inherently make us good or bad leaders, or are these learned skills? How do the ways in which we identify, influence the ways in which we lead and the decisions we make? In this three-day program, we will explore the answers to these questions and many more. Join us in learning how your LGBTQ identity influences your personal leadership style, and what it means to lead authentically. Explore the meaning of effective communication, various ways to manage conflict—both internal and external—the difference between leading versus managing, and how to manage change as a leader. In addition, this is an opportunity to grow a powerful network of individuals who can help support you and accelerate your career.
Who Should Attend?
Any aspiring leader who identifies as LGBTQ working in the education or non-profit space.
Restorative Justice and Practices: Strengthening Relationships
August 2 – 4
For years schools have been faced with finding different solutions to dealing with behavioral issues that will inevitably occur. Historically, the way of dealing with these issues in schools very much mirrors our criminal justice system which includes, identifying the issue, determining who the victim and perpetrator are, and determining and delivering appropriate punishment for the perpetrator based on the severity of the situation. While some may argue that this approach is effective, others may suggest that the punitive nature ignores any learning that might take place and doesn’t even factor in the experience of the victim and how they move on. That is where the Restorative Justice and Practices: Strengthening Relationships institute will come into play.
In this three-day experience, we will explore the engagement of restorative practice as a focus on building community through the power of circles, looking at classrooms as communities, co-creating agreements, engaging authentic presence and communication with the emphasis on relationships, understanding, and empathizing in community. In this experience, we move from one and done behavior support to growth and reflection on a continuum within community. This institute will center a reciprocal practice which engages the practitioner and circle facilitator as well as the participants of the circle in practical application scenarios and reflection.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone working in youth centered or human service education or non-profit space.
Hotel Information
Brooklyn Friends School has partnered with the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, located just steps from the school. For special rates, CLICK HERE.