Leading the Effective 21st Century Upper School

Workshop Description

Workshop Leader Bio(s)

Bill Simmer

ISM Director of Association Relations
E-mail

Bill serves as ISM's liaison to local, regional, and national private-independent school associations. He brings more than 16 years of private-independent school and business administrative experience to ISM, having taught in secondary and post-secondary level institutions and served in various administrative roles.

Bill's areas of focus include parent relations, student services, admission, organizational culture, and faculty-related issues including evaluation, induction, and professional development. He teaches Parent Relations: The Art and Science of Systematic Bragging and co-leads Leading the Effective 21st Century Upper School at ISM Summer Institute as well as Webinars during the academic year.

With a background as a faculty member, administrator, private school student, and private school parent, Bill is well prepared to deal with a full range of independent school constituents.

Bill earned his MA from International College and Graduate School (HI), a MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (NC), and a BS from Liberty University (VA).

Paul D. Wieman

Paul joins the ISM Summer Institute team, bringing with him 31 years of independent school teaching and administrative experience.  Currently the principal of the Upper School at Rye Country Day School, a pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade independent school in Rye, NY, Paul has served as Principal for 14 years.  A member of the RCDS faculty since 1984, Paul was the Assistant Principal of the Upper School and a Department Chair for the Interdisciplinary Department while simultaneously teaching United States and World History in the Humanities Department.  Previous to his work at Rye Country Day School, Paul was a math, English, and history teacher at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, New York.

Paul brings to ISM practical experience in curriculum oversight, faculty evaluation, hiring and firing practices, NAIS accreditation, technology in schools, student centered teaching, discipline, and parent concerns and communication. He serves on the school’s top administrative team and works closely with the headmaster and the other division heads within the school.  He has direct experience with school-wide initiatives in Sustainability, Public Purpose, and Diversity and works closely with the school head and the leaders of these programs in seeing that the Upper School plays an important role in these components of the school.  

During his tenure as Principal, Paul has overseen the growth of technology in education. RCDS was an early laptop school, and its technology innovation continues at the teaching and faculty levels.  Currently, the Upper School is converting to a Learning Management System in an effort to coordinate further the school’s communication with faculty, students, and parents.

Paul holds a BA from Princeton University and an MA from Columbia University.  In addition, he has continued his education and growth with numerous professional development workshops sponsored by ISM, NAIS, and other independent school organizations.

Schedule

6-DAY WORKSHOP

Sunday:
3–3:30 p.m.: Pick up your nametag 
3:30–5:30 p.m.: Session 
5:45–6:30 p.m.: Reception
6:30–7:30 p.m.: Dinner with ISM 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session
10–10:30 a.m.: Break
10:30–11:45 a.m.: Session
12–1:30 p.m.: Lunch 
1:30–3 p.m.: Session
3–3:15 p.m.: Break
3:15–4:45 p.m.: Session 
5–6 p.m.: Reception

Wednesday:
7:30-8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session
10–10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15–11:45 a.m.: Session
12–1:30 p.m.: Lunch on your own
1:30–4:45 p.m.: Optional session at the leader's discretion
5:45-6:30 p.m.: Reception
6:30–7:30 p.m.: Dinner with ISM 

Last day:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session
(Salt Lake City concludes at 10 a.m.) 

FAQ

1. What does my registration fee include?

All workshop costs, materials, continental breakfasts, dinners on Sunday and/or Wednesday; lunches on Monday, Tuesday, and/or Thursday and Friday; breaks, and social hours are included in your workshop fee.

2. What is not included in my registration fee?

Hotel accommodations, travel expenses, other meals, and sightseeing are not covered by your workshop fee.

3. Where am I going?

Marriott Salt Lake City Center
220 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: 800-266-9432
Fax: 866-961-8704
Once you have registered for a workshop, please make your hotel reservation online here. Room rates are $149/night if booked before June 1, 2013.

The Marriott City Center is Salt Lake's only AAA Four Diamond Marriott. Among all its amenities, you receive complimentary high-speed wireless or hardwired Internet in guestrooms and complimentary wireless in the lobby areas, and complimentary 24-hour access to the Fitness Center and Business Center. 

The hotel is one block away from the newly opened City Creek Center, one of the country's largest urban projects. Nordstrom's Macy's. Tiffany's, Coach, Michael Kors, and Brooks Brothers anchor the mall, which includes a good variety of dining options for every appetite and taste. Check out the Web site:  www.citycreekcenter.com

4. How do I get there?

By plane: Salt Lake City Airport is 7 miles west of the hotel. Take I-80 East to the City Center/600 South exit. Continue on 600 South and turn left on State Street. Hotel is three blocks on left hand side. Take a legal u-turn into property. Express Shuttle service from the airport to the hotel is $7 each way. Call 800-397-0773 for reservations.

By train:The Amtrak station is 2 miles west of the hotel

By car: Click here and put in your starting address for driving directions. Self-parking for workshop participants is free at the hotel; valet parking is $12 a day.

5. What should I wear?

Temperatures in Salt Lake City can be warm (85-95) degrees, however, the classrooms and guest rooms are air-conditioned so bring a sweater in case the rooms are too cool. Dress is casual. Wear whatever is comfortable – jeans, shorts, etc. For current weather conditions, we recommend checking the Salt Lake report at http://www.weather.com/.

6. What will the workshop schedule be like?

The meals and social hours listed on this agenda are included as part of your workshop fee.

Start Day, Sunday or Wednesday:
3–3:30 p.m.: Check in
3:30–5:30 p.m.: Session 
5:45–7:30 p.m.: Social and Dinner with ISM

Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, Friday:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session
10–10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15–11:45 a.m.: Session
12–1:30 p.m.: Lunch with ISM
1:30–3 p.m.: Session
3–3:15 a.m.: Break
3:15–4:45 p.m.: Session 
5–6 p.m.: Social ISM

Last Day, Wednesday or Saturday:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:15-10 a.m.: Session

6-DAY WORKSHOP

Sunday:
3-3:30 p.m.: Check in
3:30-5:30 p.m.: Session 
5:45–7:30 p.m.: Social and Dinner with ISM 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session
10–10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15–11:45 a.m.: Session
12–1:30 p.m.: Lunch on your own
1:30–3 p.m.: Session
3–3:15 a.m.: Break
3:15–4:45 p.m.: Session 
5–6 p.m.: Social ISM

Wednesday:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session
10–10:15 a.m.: Break
10:15–1:45 a.m.: Session
12–1:30 p.m: Lunch on your own
1:30–4:45 p.m.: Optional session at the leader's discretion
5:45–7:30 p.m.: Social and Dinner with ISM

Saturday:
7:30–8:30 a.m.: Continental breakfast
8:30–10 a.m.: Session

7. What should I bring?

Each workshop is different. Your workshop leader will contact you about materials to bring. In general, though, our participants enjoy sharing information. If you have materials that you would like to share, please feel free to bring them along. (You will need about 24 copies to share with your classmates.)

8. Where can I work out?

The Marriott has a fitness room with cardio equipment and free weights, and an indoor pool and whirlpool. Nearby activities include hiking, biking, and jogging trails; miniature golf; sailing and water skiing; squash; volleyball; and tennis.

9. What about my special dietary requirements?

Whether for religious, health, or personal preference, your special needs can be accommodated. Contact Carla Spady at 302-656-4944 or carla@isminc.com.

10. How much free time will I have?

There are periods before, between, and after workshop sessions for relaxation, recreation, and socializing. For those attending six-day workshops, Wednesday afternoons are additional free time.

Many cultural sites are within a short walking distance from the Marriott in Salt Lake. Tennis courts, 12 golf courses, and hiking and canyon excursions are also nearby and accessible via Salt Lake’s light rail, bus and/or taxi service. For more dining, nightlife, shopping, activities, and attractions in Salt Lake City, visit www.visitsaltlake.com.

11. Should I need medical or dental attention, where should I go?

There are a number of medical and dental facilities in close proximity to the Marriott City Center in Salt Lake. Simply contact the front desk or concierge for a list, should the need arise.