NOWBOARDING: EAST COAST
Have you made hires brand new to boarding school? NowBoarding will get your new hires up to speed and ready to make an impact in your boarding community!
NowBoarding is a rich, interactive onboarding into the complex world of boarding school life for employees in any functional role in a boarding environment. From understanding “in loco parentis” to building communities of belonging to promoting a culture of safety, participants will engage in training, case studies, discussions, and mentorship, equipping them to ask the right questions and hit the ground running from day one.
Participants will dive into topics including:
• Becoming a student of your school’s culture and traditions
• Unpacking the responsibilities of “In Loco Parentis”
• Mental health and wellness
• Student safety, boundaries and trust
• Building equitable and inclusive communities of belonging
• Organizational strategies
• Tackling the “tricky questions” of living on campus
When
July 21–22, 2025
where
Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT
who
Any employee or volunteer new to the boarding school environment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Examine the mosaic of boarding schools as an industry to understand why families choose boarding environments and why professionals build their careers in boarding schools.
Unpack the responsibilities of “in loco parentis” to understand the unique responsibilities and opportunities that accompany nurturing students in boarding schools.
Develop strategies for becoming a student of the culture of your new school and supporting the community you’ll help to cultivate for your students.
Take a deep dive into the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of your students and develop tools for supporting their mental health.
Learn the fundamentals of protecting students from misconduct and abuse.
Build a toolkit of practices that instill equity, justice and belonging in your community.
Download tips from employees who just finished their first year in boarding schools and develop a plan for how you can thrive within your new role.
Brainstorm, strategize, and problem-solve with a personal network of new colleagues and mentors from across the boarding school industry.
2025 FACULTY
DR. JAMES GREENWOOD
Dean of Equity and Social Justice, Northfield Mount Hermon School, MA
Dr. Greenwood brings with him a deep and rich history working in independent schools. This year marks his 21st year in independent schools, with 18 of those being in boarding schools. He currently serves as the Dean of Equity and Social Justice at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA. In addition to his work leading DEI initiatives over the year, he has also taught history, served as a dorm head and residential life dean, and worked in admissions at various boarding schools including St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA; and Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA. Born and raised in Cleveland, Dr. Greenwood graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in American Studies with a concentration in African and African American Studies. He holds a Master of Arts in teaching from Brown University and a Masters of Education from Columbia University; and earned his Doctorate in Education from Boston College where his dissertation studied how teachers develop their culturally responsive practice.
KATE DANIELS
Dean of Student Support, St. Paul's School NH
GENE PHILLIPS
Director of Residential Life, St. Stephen's School, TX
Gene has been a dedicated faculty member and administrator at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, Texas, for 32 years, serving in various roles, including Dean of Students, Director of Student Activities, Teacher, and Coach. Since 2000, he has led the school’s Residential Department, overseeing the boarding program and fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
Beyond St. Stephen’s, Gene served for over a decade as Headmaster and Housing Director at Youth Opportunities Unlimited at the University of Texas at Austin, furthering his commitment to student development.
An active leader in the boarding school community, Gene is the lead advisor for the TABS Foundation and Care Certification Program. His dedication to student and residential life was recognized in 2023 when he received the TABS Burch Ford Kaleidoscope Award for Excellence in Student and Residential Life.”
