Winter/Spring 2026
Registration is now open for the Association for Academic Leaders winter professional learning opportunities! Whether you're focusing on GenAI, leadership development, teaching and learning, or student mental health, our professional lineup offers valuable learning for every Academic Leader on your team:
Four Regional Forums
Our ever-popular Cohorts, with a new cohort for Deans of Students and our newly redesigned Department Chairs Leadership Series
Registration is open! Secure your spot in the Portal!
Want to discuss how we can support your school’s initiatives and leadership development this winter or spring? Let’s find time to chat in the coming weeks.
Generative AI
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Building the GPT Your School Needs (No Programming)
Learn to create custom GPTs or agents for academic leadership. This course covers effective prompts, use cases, and practical applications in school administration. Build your own GPT or agent.
February 2 - February 6
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Making Custom-Built Bots to Align Curriculum to Mission
Learn to use custom GPTs for mission-driven curriculum design and adaptation. This course covers creating custom GPTs, evaluating GenAI-generated content, and tailoring it to your school’s unique program.
February 9 - February 13
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AI for YOU, Academic Leader
Discover how Generative AI can help school leaders navigate their workday more efficiently and enhance thought leadership.
March 9 - March 13
Teaching & Learning
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Student Survey Design
We’ll examine the purposes of survey data research and share strategies and samples to guide participants on how to construct reliable questions.
February 16 - February 20
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Competency-Based Learning: A Primer for Academic Leaders
Gain a foundational understanding of competency-based learning. Designed for academic leaders, this course offers practical insights and strategies to initiate meaningful conversations within your school community.
February 23 - 27
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Curriculum Mapping: What You Need to Know Before You Start
Plan effective curriculum mapping that honors your school's values and culture. Leave with a personalized plan and timeline, developed from our templates. We'll suggest how AI tools can support and streamline the process.
March 23 - March 27 -
Onboarding New Faculty to Your School's Culture and Pedagogy
Ensure long-term faculty success by learning actionable onboarding strategies that align new hires with your school’s mission, culture, and pedagogy.
April 13 - April 24
Leadership Development
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Recruiting and Hiring Considerations for 2026
Insights for the complexities of recruiting and hiring the faculty you need in 2026.
February 2 - February 6
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Student Survey Design
This course helps independent school leaders strengthen their supervisory skills by engaging in the kinds of conversations that are tempting to avoid, yet essential for professional growth, accountability, and team cohesion.
February 16 - February 20
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Tough Talks: Challenging Conversations with Direct Reports
This course helps independent school leaders strengthen their supervisory skills by engaging in the kinds of conversations that are tempting to avoid, yet essential for professional growth, accountability, and team cohesion.
February 16 - February 20
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Leading a Mission-Aligned Curriculum Audit
Learn to lead a curriculum audit aligned with mission-centered goals. Gain tools and templates for planning an audit within a school year, adaptable for single departments or cross-division competencies.
March 2 - March 6
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Evaluating Department Leaders as Academic Leaders
Learn about using a competency-based approach that will help leaders reconsider how they assess the effectiveness of department and team leaders
March 16 - March 20
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Onboarding New Faculty to Your School's Culture and Pedagogy
Ensure long-term faculty success by learning actionable onboarding strategies that align new hires with your school’s mission, culture, and pedagogy.
April 13 - April 24
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Mentoring Matters: Get it Right
Lead a stronger mentoring program for new faculty. This course equips Academic Leaders with strategies to support mentors and mentees in creating a confident, connected start for new colleagues.
April 20 - April 24
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Cultural Competence in 2026
This course equips leaders to create the conditions where students and teachers can thrive because they know that they belong within the life of your school.
April 27 - May 1
Student Mental Health
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The Emotional Lives of Teenagers with Dr. Lisa Damour
Join NY Times best-selling author Dr. Lisa Damour to learn how to apply new insights on teens’ cognitive and emotional development in schools.
January 26 - February 6
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Cultural Competence in 2026
This course equips leaders to create the conditions where students and teachers can thrive because they know that they belong within the life of your school.
April 27 - May 1